An Officer and a Spy

A Novel

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: David Rintoul

Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Robert Harris returns to the thrilling historical fiction he has so brilliantly made his own. This is the story of the infamous Dreyfus affair told as a chillingly dark, hard-edged novel of conspiracy and espionage.

Paris in 1895: Alfred Dreyfus, a young Jewish officer, has just been convicted of treason, sentenced to life imprisonment at Devil's Island, and stripped of his rank in front of a baying crowd of 20,000. Among the witnesses to his humiliation is Georges Picquart, the ambitious, intellectual, recently promoted head of the counterespionage agency that Dreyfus had passed secrets to the Germans. At first, Picquart firmly believes in Dreyfus' guilt. But it is not long after Dreyfus is delivered to his desolate prison that Picquart stumbles on information that leads him to suspect that there is still a spy at large in the French military. As evidence of the most malignant deceit mounts and spirals inexorably toward the uppermost levels of government, Picquart is compelled to question not only the case against Dreyfus but also his most deeply held beliefs about his country, and about himself.

Bringing to life the scandal that mesmerized the world at the turn of the 20th century, Robert Harris tells a tale of uncanny timeliness - a witch hunt, secret tribunals, out-of-control intelligence agencies, the fate of a whistle-blower - richly dramatized with the singular storytelling mastery that has marked all of his internationally best-selling novels.

©2014 Robert Harris (P)2014 Random Hosue Audio

Exceptional

I got this book out of the library and was so involved in reading it that I bought the audiobook so I could listen as well. This is a fascinating account of the Dreyfus Affair at the turn of the (previous) century in France. We see everything from the viewpoint of Georges Picquart, an army officer who discovered evidence that Dreyfus was innocent and spent years trying to convince his superiors to do something about it. The book is a great spy thriller, doubly effective because it is true. The writing is excellent, the narration as well, and it's difficult to stop listening/reading. In addition to the spy-thriller aspect, the book provides an in-depth look at the political and social condition of France following its defeat by Germany in 1870, and at its Antisemitism. It's a very absorbing book.

I was not familiar with the narrator, David Rintoul. He sounds so much like Simon Vance that I was convinced this was one of Vance's aliases, but upon googling Rintoul, it appears that he is a separate person. He does a fabulous job with the book.

Beautifully Read

This historical novel really gives you a sense of what the Dreyfus Affair was about, complete with the famous J'accuse from Emile Zola. Some 120 years ago this was like Watergate for France -- except much worse and far more complex.

Superb.

I suppose that like many people I assumed I knew the basics of the Dreyfus Affair--catastrophe might be a better description. But I didn't. It is an excellent window to the personal story of Picquart and of many of the Dreyfusards and anti-Dreyfusards. Harris provides sufficient background to fin de siècle France to whet the appetite of any reader who seeks to better understand the era, the people, and the society in which this catastrophe occurred. I cannot recommend this book more highly.

My first triple 5-star

What made the experience of listening to An Officer and a Spy the most enjoyable?

I must praise this book, though I'm not quite finished. The writing and the narration have no doubt spoiled me. Harris and Rintoul have combined for a listener's delight.

What other book might you compare An Officer and a Spy to and why?

My other favorite in this genre is Fall of Giants.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Actually, no. I enjoy savoring a chapter or two at a time and looking forward to the next opportunity.

Any additional comments?

Yes, Rintoul deserves six stars on a five-star system. His switching from English narrative to French names is flawless. His portrayal of the livid General Gonse and exchange with Picquart was almost visual.

Power Corrupts

Having power, in this case being in the high command of the Army, means “NEVER having to say you made a mistake.”

Like our Generals in Vietnam, or Afghanistan, who could never admit error and lied to protect themselves, French Generals arranged to have a scapegoat imprisoned and fought with all fair and foul means to cover up the truth. A brilliant book, based on true events.

The viciousness of prejudices revealed

Amazing story. A bit of history well worth listening to. Well performed and imagined. Bravo.

Fascinating perspective of historical incident

Everything was of remarkably good quality. was familiar with Dreafus story, but the author and the reader gave it the dramatic intensity and gravitas it deserved. Superbe attention to detail, along with the impact on the lives of those involved. revealed a human story of much more clarity than the history books might be inclined to reveal.

A gripping tale narrated by a master

This is a brilliantly told story that kept me rapt with attention. It is very good.

Fantastic story especially on Audible

I tried reading this very long and excellent book but life is busy and it’s so darned long I couldn’t remember essential details because I read too slowly. On Audible I was enthralled by the characters and the drama, filling time spent on chores, out walking, driving. It’s an absolutely riveting story, beautifully narrated. Highly, highly recommend.

Fascinating story but disappointing

Lots of intrigue and espionage….but the author labors over the events so much they lose momentum. Very anticlimactic ending!