A Spy by Nature

This slow-burning spy tale may turn some readers off with its narrator's (author's?) too studied, self-conscious cleverness. And there is a fair amount of 20-something navel-gazing throughout. However, the quickly drawn, yet vivid characters and the ever mounting tension more than make up for any rookie errors. (I'd include the clumsy American patois in this number.) I'm certainly anxious to read any follow-ups, let alone see a big-screen take on this, as the book's reams of terrific dialogue and drawn-out dramatic scenes would seem to render its adaptation a no-brainer. (Paging the Robert Pattinson...)

With respect to the reviewers who did not enjoy the book, I think you're missing the point. A Spy By Nature is not a traditional 'spy novel' in the sense that it is not about action sequences, sex and subterfuge. It's a hyper-realistic, psychological study of what happens to a young man, Aec Milius, who becomes a spy. In this context, it is both highly original and - if you have the patience - very, very gripping. You shouldn't buy it if you're expecting pure escapism. The book is written in the same tradition of 'serious' British spy novels as John le Carre, Eric Ambler and Len Deighton. If you want a 'faster' read, I would recommened The Spanish Game or Typhoon by the same author.

These days so many books are derivatives of 007-styled derring-do with gorgeous femme fatales, ingenious egomaniacal world-crushers, and gadgets gadgets gadgets. Not many delve into the psyche games associated with becoming a spy, how words can be used just as effectively as bullets or torture. In this book, Alec Milius tries out for the British SIS but is rejected. As a consolation prize, he is recruited to work for a British oil company as a corporate spy with the caveat that after 4 or 5 years he can move up to either MI-5 or 6. Being a corporate spy, however, isn't about glamorous locations and caviar and gadgets, Alec discovers. It's about secrecy, spinning webs of deceit, isolating oneself from friends, family, and society in general. And most of all, it's about not getting caught. Charles Cumming makes has Alec do the heavy lifting, giving us a blow-by-blow narrative of the process, which I can't help but feel makes this terrific novel an autobiography of sorts, given that Cumming was recruited by Five back in the day, and worked for them for several years. The book is intriguing, and while it's certainly not for the action-junkie, it certainly is for the reader who wants to know what goes on in a spy's head, and how they dance when the time comes to do their job. A great insight into the psychological aspect of intelligence and counter-intelligence that is not to be missed.

Unlike the regular spy thriller, A "Spy by Nature" is a unique novel into the mindset of a wannabe spy. Told from the first person perspective, the thoughts and emotions - as well as character cast of the ex-girlfriend, best friend, jerk boss, etc. - from loner Alec Milius are ones that many in the 20-something age bracket can relate to.. as well as the alluring curiosity for the clandestine. While far from your `Jason Bourne' type, Milius is an intriguing protagonist that makes him worthy of other engaging characters like le Carre's George Smiley. If the concept of the character of a spy intrigues you as much as, or more so than, the acts of being a spy then this is definitely a novel worth getting. I also highly recommend "The Spanish Game" to anyone who enjoyed this novel and the character of Milius! Set in Spain, it marks the return of Alec and further explores the events from this novel to his psyche as well as placing him amidst a plot between the Basque nationalist organization ETA and the Spanish government.