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Spies

By: Michael Frayn
Narrated by: Martin Jarvis
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Summary

In the quiet cul-de-sac where Keith and Stephen live, the only immediate signs of the Second World War are the blackout at night and a single random bombsite. But the two boys start to suspect all is not as it seems when one day Keith announces a disconcerting discovery: the Germans have infiltrated his own family. And when the secret underground world they have dreamed up emerges from the shadows, they find themselves engulfed in mysteries far deeper and more painful than they had bargained for.
©2002 Michael Frayn (P)2006 Time Warner AudioBooks
Historical Fiction Fiction
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Critic reviews

"A beautifully accomplished, richly nostalgic novel about supposed second-world-war espionage seen through the eyes of a young boy." ( Sunday Times)

What listeners say about Spies

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Julie

Excellent

Brilliantly read! The story is delightful and original and Michael Frayn keeps the suspense to the very end . 'Spies' shouldn't have been abridged in my opinion, as every line is wonderful. More of Frayn's books please!

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for jules

Really gripping

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not at all a big book reader but trying to read more, but I found this book slightly complicating and strange at the start but once you get into the book it is really exciting and everything makes sense. Really recommend to read this.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for monkey-puzzle

Spies

Martin Jarvis is always a joy to listen to, his PG Wodehouse narrations are just perfect.

This story starts off with a kind of Marcel Proustish olfactory motif and is evocative of an England that for better or worse is long gone.

An England of quiet desperation, unrequited desires, unspoken suffering and untreated PTSD.

The narrator is an infuriatingly weak and cowardly little twerp which is by turns amusing and maddening.

All in all a pretty interesting listen, but definitely not uplifting.

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