There are two main role models for spies in British literature: George Smiley and James Bond. The two occupy worlds which coincide only at the most basic points and the narratives in which they might find themselves diverge rapidly from possibly the first page. In this extraordinarily enjoyable romp, there is no place for the George Smiley’s of the British Intelligence Service–quite deliberately so, since the formidable super-hero has erected a Bond-like geas over the enormous yacht (previously a part of the Soviet surface fleet) that requires all unregistered entrants to adopt a superheroic attitude and mentality. This is for protective purposes since the Bond-like operatives are usually easier to keep track of and to nullify when required, while when they have been captured and put to work, the attitude works to the benefit of the evil villain.
Read the full review here.
