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The Unfortunate Englishman

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( 1,361 ratings, 97 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Unfortunate Englishman by John Lawton, Joe Wilderness finds himself entangled in the espionage tensions of the Cold War. Set mainly in 1960s Berlin, the story follows him navigating the perilous world of spies and international politics. As he juggles danger and deception, Wilderness must confront various alliances and enemies, adding layers of intrigue to this gripping thriller.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy Cold War espionage with intricate plotting and richly developed characters. Set against the tense backdrop of 1960s Europe, it entwines historical intrigue with a gripping spy narrative, perfect for those fascinated by suspenseful crime thrillers featuring intricate twists and political nuances.

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The Unfortunate Englishman

The second book in the Joe Wilderness series.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A thrilling portrait of 1960s Berlin and Khrushchev's Moscow, centring around the exchange of two spies— a Russian working for the KGB, and an unfortunate Englishman.

Having shot someone in the chaos of 1963 Berlin, Wilderness finds himself locked up with little chance of escape. But an official pardon through his father-in-law, Burne-Jones, a senior agent at MI6, means he is free to go—although forever in Burne-Jones's service.

When the Russians started building the Berlin Wall in 1961, two Unfortunate Englishmen were trapped on opposite sides: Geoffrey Masefield in the Lubyanka, and Bernard Alleyn (alias KGB Captain Leonid Liubimov) in Wormwood Scrubs.

In 1965, there is a new plan: to exchange the prisoners, a swap upon Berlin's bridge of spies. But, as ever, Joe has something on the side, just to make it interesting, just to make it profitable...

Series: Joe Wilderness series

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews praise The Unfortunate Englishman for its historic depth, compelling characters, and intricate spy plotting, vividly set against a Cold War backdrop. The novel skilfully blends factual history with engaging narrative, offering humour amidst the espionage detail, and is lauded for memorable atmospheres and rich prose. John Lawton's work is compared to prominent authors in the genre, with many regarding it as top-tier spy fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781611855449

Publisher: Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 February 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 255g

Pages: 368

About the Author

John Lawton worked for Channel 4 for many years, and, among many others, produced Harold Pinter's 'O Superman', the least-watched most-argued-over programme of the 90s. He has written seven novels in his Troy series, two Joe Wilderness novels, the standalone Sweet Sunday, a couple of short stories and the occasional essay. He writes very slowly and almost entirely on the hoof in the USA or Italy, but professes to be a resident of a tiny village in the Derbyshire Peak District. He admires the work of Barbara Gowdy, TC Boyle, Oliver Bleeck, Franz Schubert and Clara Schumann - and is passionate about the playing of Maria Joao Pires. He has no known hobbies, belongs to no organisations and hates being photographed.

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