Cover Stories (Routledge Revivals) - Narrative and Ideology in the British Spy Thriller

First published in 1987, this title tracks the spy thriller from John Buchanan to Eric Ambler, Ian Fleming and John Le Carré, and shows how these tales of spies, moles, and the secret service tell a history of modern society, translating the political and cultural transformations of the twentieth century into the intrigues of a shadow world of secret agents. Examining the characteristic narrative structures of the spy novel - the adventure formulas and the plots of betrayal, disguise and doubles - Denning shows how they attempt to resolve crises and contradictions in ideologies of nation and empire, and of class and gender.

List of contents

Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Thrillers, shockers, spy novels 2. Sport is a land flowing with strikes and profiteers 3. Epitaph for an amateur 4. Licensed to look 5. Looking-glass wars; Conclusion; Notes; Index

About the author

Michael Wiliams

Product details

• Authors: Michael Denning, Denning Michael
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 07.05.2014
• EAN: 9781138796249
• ISBN: 978-1-138-79624-9
• No. of pages: 180
• Series: Routledge Revivals
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > History > 20th century (up to 1945); Popular Culture, Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000, LITERARY CRITICISM / General, Social & cultural history, LITERARY CRITICISM / Mystery & Detective, Social and cultural history, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers, Literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, History and Archaeology