The Best Spy Stories

[omovie]

In the outlining/notes stage of my Spy Thriller and wanted to get some opinions from fellow spy enthusiasts. I've read a ton over the last couple of months, but wanted to further my education in the genre. So, what are the best spy story/novel/movie/non-fiction you've read/seen? So far, in my opinion, Le Care is unbeatable. If there's a better spy story than THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, I haven't seen it. Thoughts? Derek?

[hscope]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

I really like the contemporary Gabriel Allon Israeli spy thrillers by Daniel Silva. I also read most of Ted Allbeury's cold war thrillers and enjoyed them very much.

And two WWII spy novels that stick out are The Key to Rebecca and The Eye of the Needle, both by Ken Follett. I couldn't put either of them down. In fact, I'm still carrying them on me now...

I've never been a great fan of spy movies, though, as I prefer the stories in novels.

On second thoughts, I very much enjoyed The Eye of the Needle movie with Donald Sutherland.

[Norm]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

Read early Eric Ambler: Epitaph for a Spy, Journey into Fear, Coffin for Dimitrios. He falls under the thriller / spy genre, since his heroes are not former spies, to distinguish from le Carre, but ordinary folks.

Hitchcock was a big fan and North by Northwest could have been written by Ambler. I have a short intro Hitch wrote for one of Ambler's collections.

Ambler's sense of place is unmatched. When his characters are having dinner in Prague, say, you feel that you are really there. Not to mention his sophistication and narrative power. Personally, "Coffin" is one of my all-time favorite reads. And the story -- you're transported. In fact, one of the chapters is sometimes included in short story collections of spy shorts; it's that good.

Later Ambler ain't bad either.

Fleming's From Russia with Love isn't bad either. Fleming was also a travel writer and his travel bits, such as when Bond orders breakfast in Istanbul, are quite authoritative (figs and burnt coffee, or something like that).

[Twofingeredtypist]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

I'm presuming the piece you're writing is not action oriented and is akin to the works of Le Carre?

I'm a huge fan of the spy genre and more often than not you'll find some of the best examples made for TV rather than film. Aside from the Smiley adapations Alec Guinness made for the BBC, I would suggest looking at the old ITV series, The Sandbaggers, which was created and written for the most part by Royal Navy man Ian Mackintosh. Mackintosh's scripts were so on the money one was actually pulled from production because it supposedly violated the Official secrets Act.

When Mackintosh's light aircraft went missing over Canada The Sandbaggers was brought to a premature end, but what there is (20 episodes spread over three seasons), is pure gold. Greg Rucka's Queen & Country is heavily influenced by it and it stands right alongside the Le Carre adaptations for tone and feel of authenticity.

Another fantastic series is Callan, starring Edward Wooward long before he was The Equalizer.

[omovie]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

I'm presuming the piece you're writing is not action oriented and is akin to the works of Le Carre?

No, I'm actually writing an action thriller. The thing is, the spy genre is so rich with theme's of identity, loyalty, loneliness, trust, etc that Le Care is best to see these theme's fruitfully realized in the spy form. I go to Le Care for character, theme and dialogue. For the action, I go to Hollywood genre stuff. My story is Bourne meets Le Care.

I'm a huge fan of the spy genre and more often than not you'll find some of the best examples made for TV rather than film. Aside from the Smiley adapations Alec Guinness made for the BBC

I just finished the BBC version of SMILEY'S PEOPLE today. It's the best spy miniseries I ever seen. Better than TINKER TAILOR.

Greg Rucka's Queen & Country is heavily influenced by it and it stands right alongside the Le Carre adaptations for tone and feel of authenticity.

Funny thing you mentioned THE SANDBAGGERS and QUEEN AND COUNTRY -- I ordered Q&C last week and will get it tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

Another fantastic series is Callan, starring Edward Wooward long before he was The Equalizer.

I'll definetely check it out. Thanks!

[Twofingeredtypist]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

If it's an action piece and you haven't already checked it, James Grady's Six Days of The Condor and the film version, Three Days of the Condor, should be looked at. Still remains influential today.

[omovie]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

If it's an action piece and you haven't already checked it, James Grady's Six Days of The Condor and the film version, Three Days of the Condor, should be looked at. Still remains influential today.

THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR is the exact tone I'm going for. also, in it's mystery, love story and feeling of general paranoia. It's amazing how much Tony Gilroy took from this film for BOURNE.

[Twofingeredtypist]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR is the exact tone I'm going for. also, in it's mystery, love story and feeling of general paranoia. It's amazing how much Tony Gilroy took from this film for BOURNE.

Sounds great! Look forward to it.

[InfiniteJest]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

No Way Out

Spy Game

[Richmond Weems]

Re: The Best Spy Stories

Anything by Len Deighton, or Alister Maclean. Not too hip on current "spy" novelists. (And take my opinion with a grain of salt. I could never really enjoy LeCarre's work. My own personal problem.)

As far as movies, in addition to ones already posted:

The Ipcress File
Body of Lies (I think I was the only one that actually thought this was very good)
The Tailor of Panama
North by Northwest
The Man Who Knew Too Much (either one)
The 39 Steps (a favorite)

HH