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Bernard Samson, survivor and spy extraordinaire, the star of Len Deighton's two previous best-selling trilogies – Game, Set, and Match and Hook, Line, and Sinker – is back in the dazzling new series Faith, Hope, and Charity.Deighton, dubbed by the New York Times as "a master of the British espionage novel," deftly re-creates the internecine squabbling and self preserving panic that characterized spying in the months before the Berlin Wall crumbled and the Eastern Bloc dissolved.
With Cold War loyalties shifting in the freezing wind, Bernard is forced back into the "game," this time without the moral sureness that evil lies exclusively on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Caught between his job and his ethics, his past and his future, and the two women he loves, trapped in a maze of the section and danger where nothing is what it seems, Samson undertakes a mission that leads from rural Poland to the heart of London Central.
Deighton, with the rare hand of a master, vividly paints the shadowy world of spies and moles, agents and double agents pitted and a war in which physical violence is only the beginning.
295 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
113 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Len Deighton
222 books937 followersDeighton was born in Marylebone, London, in 1929. His father was a chauffeur and mechanic, and his mother was a part-time cook. After leaving school, Deighton worked as a railway clerk before performing his National Service, which he spent as a photographer for the Royal Air Force's Special Investigation Branch. After discharge from the RAF, he studied at St Martin's School of Art in London in 1949, and in 1952 won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, graduating in 1955.
Deighton worked as an airline steward with BOAC. Before he began his writing career he worked as an illustrator in New York and, in 1960, as an art director in a London advertising agency. He is credited with creating the first British cover for Jack Kerouac's On the Road. He has since used his drawing skills to illustrate a number of his own military history books.
Following the success of his first novels, Deighton became The Observer's cookery writer and produced illustrated cookbooks. In September 1967 he wrote an article in the Sunday Times Magazine about Operation Snowdrop - an SAS attack on Benghazi during World War II. The following year David Stirling would be awarded substantial damages in libel from the article.
He also wrote travel guides and became travel editor of Playboy, before becoming a film producer. After producing a film adaption of his 1968 novel Only When I Larf, Deighton and photographer Brian Duffy bought the film rights to Joan Littlewood and Theatre Workshop's stage musical Oh, What a Lovely War! He had his name removed from the credits of the film, however, which was a move that he later described as "stupid and infantile." That was his last involvement with the cinema.
Deighton left England in 1969. He briefly resided in Blackrock, County Louth in Ireland. He has not returned to England apart from some personal visits and very few media appearances, his last one since 1985 being a 2006 interview which formed part of a "Len Deighton Night" on BBC Four. He and his wife Ysabele divide their time between homes in Portugal and Guernsey.
Deighton worked as an airline steward with BOAC. Before he began his writing career he worked as an illustrator in New York and, in 1960, as an art director in a London advertising agency. He is credited with creating the first British cover for Jack Kerouac's On the Road. He has since used his drawing skills to illustrate a number of his own military history books.
Following the success of his first novels, Deighton became The Observer's cookery writer and produced illustrated cookbooks. In September 1967 he wrote an article in the Sunday Times Magazine about Operation Snowdrop - an SAS attack on Benghazi during World War II. The following year David Stirling would be awarded substantial damages in libel from the article.
He also wrote travel guides and became travel editor of Playboy, before becoming a film producer. After producing a film adaption of his 1968 novel Only When I Larf, Deighton and photographer Brian Duffy bought the film rights to Joan Littlewood and Theatre Workshop's stage musical Oh, What a Lovely War! He had his name removed from the credits of the film, however, which was a move that he later described as "stupid and infantile." That was his last involvement with the cinema.
Deighton left England in 1969. He briefly resided in Blackrock, County Louth in Ireland. He has not returned to England apart from some personal visits and very few media appearances, his last one since 1985 being a 2006 interview which formed part of a "Len Deighton Night" on BBC Four. He and his wife Ysabele divide their time between homes in Portugal and Guernsey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
December 22, 2022
This is the next-to-last book in the nine-volume (10 if you count the prequel Winter) Bernard Samson series. In this final trilogy, Deighton is taking events from earlier books and adding new information about them, casting them in a new light. New events happen too, but Bernie can't let go of the past until he's revealed everything about the past, no matter how it sometimes hurts him and others.
Can't wait to wrap up the series and see how everything shakes out.
Can't wait to wrap up the series and see how everything shakes out.
May 6, 2012
If I could give this book six stars I would. But I tend to forget we are in a different era from that in which Bernard Samson was active. That being said I think that the first 120 pages of Hope, in which Bernard is trekking about in a wintery Poland with his boss, the hopeless Dicky Cruyer, may be the best narrative fiction I have ever read. A short quote to entice others to have a go at this volume - 'I'll finish searching these bastards and we'll get out of here. I was bending over then and taking their money and stuffing into my pocket their various identity documents. I got to my feet and sighed. Having Dicky along to help was like being accompanied by a pet goldfish. I had to sprinkle food over him regularly and check his fins for fungus.'
There is much more. The ghost of Tessa, if she is dead, hangs over Bernard his wife and his brother-in-law, and motivates London Central into sending Bernard to sort out the problem. Disconcertingly for Dicky, Bret is back and has taken over as Deputy DG. The politics get more complex and out in the world, reality seems to be continuing to elude almost everybody.
There is much more. The ghost of Tessa, if she is dead, hangs over Bernard his wife and his brother-in-law, and motivates London Central into sending Bernard to sort out the problem. Disconcertingly for Dicky, Bret is back and has taken over as Deputy DG. The politics get more complex and out in the world, reality seems to be continuing to elude almost everybody.
May 23, 2022
”But Bernard, whatever his shortcomings, is always a loyal friend to us”
Bernard Samson, der zurückhaltende Protagonist, der sich in die Frage verbeisst, wer den gewaltsamen Tod einer Anverwandten auf dem Gewissen hat - und wieso. Er kommt in das polnische Marschland, trifft auf Entbehrung, harte Betten und Kartoffelsuppe und beisst sich die Zähne an der Melancholie und Gewieftheit des Gegners aus. Aber wer ist denn der Gegner? Wer der Anstifter?
Len Deighton packt einmal mehr viel (und doch so wenig) in seine Fortsetzung der neunbändigen Serie. Es ist das nahende Ende des Kalten Krieges; die Welt der Spione, der Netzwerke, der klandestinen Meetings kommt zu einem Ende. Und damit auch die Hoffnung auf die Auflösung aller Rätsel oder auch schon nur der eigenen Zukunft. Was passiert mit jemandem, der niemandem vertraut, weil jeder seine eigene Agenda hat? Man kommt der Ich-Person Bernard näher, spürt die Geduld, die er gegen aussen zeigen muss, die aber vielmehr eine gereizte Ungeduld ist, die in gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen enden können. Samson dröselt das Rätsel um die Vergehen seiner Vorgesetzten im selben Tempo auf, wie er selber sich an den Rändern anfängt aufzulösen. Die Menschlichkeit der Charaktere, die Nachvollziehbarkeit der Geschichte ergibt eine Tiefe, die mitleben, ja mitleiden lässt. Zumindest lässt es einem nicht los und so sehe ich mit Wehmut auf den letzten Band Charity, in der Hoffnung, dass ich diesen so schnell, resp. so langsam wie möglich gelesen habe.
“London hated to hear about the grim realities of the job; they believed that firm words and two choruses of ‘Rule Britannia’ should be enough to bring any recalcitrant foreigner to his knees.”
Bernard Samson, der zurückhaltende Protagonist, der sich in die Frage verbeisst, wer den gewaltsamen Tod einer Anverwandten auf dem Gewissen hat - und wieso. Er kommt in das polnische Marschland, trifft auf Entbehrung, harte Betten und Kartoffelsuppe und beisst sich die Zähne an der Melancholie und Gewieftheit des Gegners aus. Aber wer ist denn der Gegner? Wer der Anstifter?
Len Deighton packt einmal mehr viel (und doch so wenig) in seine Fortsetzung der neunbändigen Serie. Es ist das nahende Ende des Kalten Krieges; die Welt der Spione, der Netzwerke, der klandestinen Meetings kommt zu einem Ende. Und damit auch die Hoffnung auf die Auflösung aller Rätsel oder auch schon nur der eigenen Zukunft. Was passiert mit jemandem, der niemandem vertraut, weil jeder seine eigene Agenda hat? Man kommt der Ich-Person Bernard näher, spürt die Geduld, die er gegen aussen zeigen muss, die aber vielmehr eine gereizte Ungeduld ist, die in gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen enden können. Samson dröselt das Rätsel um die Vergehen seiner Vorgesetzten im selben Tempo auf, wie er selber sich an den Rändern anfängt aufzulösen. Die Menschlichkeit der Charaktere, die Nachvollziehbarkeit der Geschichte ergibt eine Tiefe, die mitleben, ja mitleiden lässt. Zumindest lässt es einem nicht los und so sehe ich mit Wehmut auf den letzten Band Charity, in der Hoffnung, dass ich diesen so schnell, resp. so langsam wie möglich gelesen habe.
“London hated to hear about the grim realities of the job; they believed that firm words and two choruses of ‘Rule Britannia’ should be enough to bring any recalcitrant foreigner to his knees.”
May 31, 2020
Hope (Bernard Samson, #8) (1995) is the eighth and penultimate book in the majestic Bernard Samson series.
The backdrop to Hope is the Polish Solidarity movement and the end of the Cold War, with much of the book taking place in Poland.
On the domestic front Bernard and Fiona are trying to rebuild their marriage which, given events in the previous books, is challenging to say the least.
Bernard is now older and considerably wiser than in the earlier books however one thing remains unchanged, his tenacity.
There are some great set pieces in this book aligned to the usual pitch perfect dialogue and characterisation.
Needless to say I am going straight on with the final book Charity (Bernard Samson, #9) (1997). It will be a bittersweet moment when I finish this series
4/5
The backdrop to Hope is the Polish Solidarity movement and the end of the Cold War, with much of the book taking place in Poland.
On the domestic front Bernard and Fiona are trying to rebuild their marriage which, given events in the previous books, is challenging to say the least.
Bernard is now older and considerably wiser than in the earlier books however one thing remains unchanged, his tenacity.
There are some great set pieces in this book aligned to the usual pitch perfect dialogue and characterisation.
Needless to say I am going straight on with the final book Charity (Bernard Samson, #9) (1997). It will be a bittersweet moment when I finish this series
4/5
September 29, 2020
'Hope', Len Deighton's 8th 'starring' Brit spy Bernd Samson, is another intricately plotted, dense, action-packed novel that exposes yet additional layers of duplicity among the characters working both sides of the 'wall' during the Cold War. I have to give major kudos to the author; to develop a large cast of characters over such a long period and to have the arc of the plot carried through are just fantastic accomplishments. Deighton doesn't have the facility with the language that le Carre does, but his stories are just as strong and there's great continuity among them.
Hope begins with Bernd being sent, along with his boss, to Poland to track down George Kosinski, the missing husband of his sister-in-law, who was suspected of a number of things, one of which being a Communist spy. Various higher-ups in British intelligence have differing opinions on him, some of which were driven by his relationship to Samson's wife, who happens to be a big deal in the spy hierarchy. Rumors abound concerning George's whereabouts, and Samson and boss end up at George's brother's decrepit estate out in the sticks. Yada, yada, yada, Kosinski is eventually found and extracted, but not before an incredible display of backbiting nastiness on the part of almost everyone else in the story other than Samson. Through it all, his approach and morals remain remarkably consistent.
As much as I love the spy genre, I'm pretty sure I could never do the job myself. Way too much ambiguity and downright lying are involved. I identify with Samson because he's a field guy with a realistic ground level perspective on things who had to deal with lots of folks about him who operate at the 30,000' level. He's a great character who handles tough situations with aplomb, and he's lucky enough to have 2 beautiful women in love with him. I look forward to the next in this, his 3rd trilogy starring the same characters. It's been a great ride so far.
Hope begins with Bernd being sent, along with his boss, to Poland to track down George Kosinski, the missing husband of his sister-in-law, who was suspected of a number of things, one of which being a Communist spy. Various higher-ups in British intelligence have differing opinions on him, some of which were driven by his relationship to Samson's wife, who happens to be a big deal in the spy hierarchy. Rumors abound concerning George's whereabouts, and Samson and boss end up at George's brother's decrepit estate out in the sticks. Yada, yada, yada, Kosinski is eventually found and extracted, but not before an incredible display of backbiting nastiness on the part of almost everyone else in the story other than Samson. Through it all, his approach and morals remain remarkably consistent.
As much as I love the spy genre, I'm pretty sure I could never do the job myself. Way too much ambiguity and downright lying are involved. I identify with Samson because he's a field guy with a realistic ground level perspective on things who had to deal with lots of folks about him who operate at the 30,000' level. He's a great character who handles tough situations with aplomb, and he's lucky enough to have 2 beautiful women in love with him. I look forward to the next in this, his 3rd trilogy starring the same characters. It's been a great ride so far.
April 11, 2014
Dicky Cruyer once again shows how hopeless he is in attempting to be a field agent, far better he leaves it to Bernard and sticks to office politics.
Although I like all the Samson series this one is particularly good and ends with what looks like a reunion with Gloria.
Although I like all the Samson series this one is particularly good and ends with what looks like a reunion with Gloria.
May 28, 2019
Deighton is a real spycraft wonk - this isn't a mission impossible, world traveler, machine guns and fancy car type of "spy" novel. It's a very closed story regarding British intelligence in Eastern Europe around the end of the cold war, and you need to enjoy the details of both the politics of intelligence services and of the huge ramification of very little things. The first half of the book was pretty slow, just setting the table for the eventual conclusion.
I've read a few of the books featuring Deighton's "hero" Bernard Sampson and while I like them usually, they are definitely the sorts of stories that one every few years does me well - can't imagine going right in on another somewhat plodding view of things.
In all, if you like Deighton, definitely should pick this one up. if not, as long as you're ok with the more detailed and cerebral side of spy novels, it's worth the read.
I've read a few of the books featuring Deighton's "hero" Bernard Sampson and while I like them usually, they are definitely the sorts of stories that one every few years does me well - can't imagine going right in on another somewhat plodding view of things.
In all, if you like Deighton, definitely should pick this one up. if not, as long as you're ok with the more detailed and cerebral side of spy novels, it's worth the read.
January 19, 2019
The scenario kees changing with innumerable surprised thrown in every series in the book. BenSamson, the indeendent thinking operator seemingly creates confusion wherever he goes. Invariably he sorts out issues the credit for which istaken by others. He keeps plodding willing to be exploited and knowing this fully well. Even as he learns of some secrets about his wife and embarks on another adventure in Poland into which he is unsypathetically thrown, his character stands up. Though with age and time his approach and attitude seem to change, the author maintains the timbre of his characate intacat. The characterisation in this whole series is wonderful. With only onebook remaining in the series for me to read,I have to hurry to get this book! Just to see where the uthor goes ultimately.
January 16, 2018
As the triple trilogy begins to wind down, more and more loose ends and questions are answered. This one involves forays into East Germany & Poland as Bernard Sampson tracks down his brother-in-law, George Kozinski, married to Bernard's wife's sister, Tessa. I don't want to give anything away here, but it really requires having read the previous books in the series. Lots of doubt & intrigue, right up until the very end of the novel. Charity is next & last & I will be starting to read it tonight.
Read
December 6, 2020My first reaction upon reading this novel was to wonder if anybody narrator and protagonist Bernard Sampson knows is not actually a spy. There are some tremendous details concerning Poland and its rural environment. One is tempted to say Samson comes again one step closer to finding out what really happened on the night which is crucial to the entire sequence, but so much of what he has “known” previously has turned out to be incomplete, unreliable, or absolutely wrong, that what he knows at the end of Hope may also turn out to be hopeless.
December 7, 2018
Hope, the aptly named second installment in the third of Len Deighton's trilogy of trilogies, furthers Bernard Samson's quest for answers while reaffirming how awful his life has become since the ending of Berlin Game. Secrets are revealed (to Bernard; we already knew, thanks to Spy Sinker), characters are painted in new lights, and there's even some action thrown in for good measure.
After the bungle at the end of Faith, Bernard Samson is sent to Poland in search of his errant brother-in-law George, who is determined to find the truth behind Tessa's death. But is Tessa really dead? On the home front, Bernard's marriage is running ice cold, while Gloria's presence at the office makes him long for the life he could've had.
Spoilers...
The twists and turns in Bernard's investigation are gripping this time, perhaps more than in any of the other books. I gasped when Bernard was told that George was dead, and I hoped it wasn't true as he and Dickey visited the Kosinski family home. George ultimately being alive is a double-edged sword; I love the character and am glad he's okay, but he turns out not to be what we all thought. George has been spying for the Russians, and when Tessa was killed they used his penchant for hope to keep him on the line, assuring him that Tessa was not only alive but pregnant with the child he's always wanted and that Tessa denied him. The commies go to great lengths to persuade not only George but Bernard and British Intelligence that this is true; they even used the defector from Faith to put the idea of Tessa's survival into Bernard's head before killing him (which, I guess, means it was the Stasi after all -- unless this is yet another twist waiting in the wings). But Bernard has enough experience to figure out that this is all a deception and George is being played to secure his allegiance. The twist is mind-blowing; George seemed such an upright man, one who would never stray to the dark side of the Iron Curtain. But the explanation is entirely believable, and it feels consistent with George's personality. It's hard to completely hate him... unless you're Bernard, who wishes he could kill George himself.
But perhaps his intense hatred comes from his seeing a little bit of himself in George, and that is informed by the domestic side of the book. Bernard and Fiona, despite his insistence that he still loves her and she seems to care for him, feel like they can barely stand to sit in the same room with each other. Bernard is still hurting, and it's clear in their every interaction that, though he's trying to get past it, he doesn't trust her anymore. He expects her to take everyone else's side over his, and he can sense her manipulating him into taking Frank Harrington's place in Germany. He also begins to see that, due to her own unease with the children's resentment towards her, he'll likely never see his kids again, as Fiona would prefer they stay with her parents. Bernard has to use some deception himself just to get an afternoon with them (and, as always, is then made out to be the bad guy). Fiona even arranges -- or allows her father to arrange -- for the kids to be kept from Bernard over Christmas. But the final nail in the coffin is when Werner, brimming with guilt, reveals to Bernard that Fiona cheated on him. All of this while Bernard is doing everything he can to make things easier for his wife and eschewing Gloria, the woman who might actually make him happy. Much of Hope is infuriating in this regard, but the ending makes it all worth it, as Bernard decides to spend Christmas with Gloria, finally discovering that his only hope for happiness was in the one place he'd resolved not to look. I really hope he follows through with this and tells Fiona to go to hell.
There's very little to dislike in Hope. Again, Thurkettle is mentioned, so his too-early death continues to sting. He and Bernard should be on a collision course, but instead our hero is chasing a ghost (in a similar fashion to George, I suppose, but it's still unsatisfying). I also found it a bit odd that Bernard wasn't angry at hearing that Werner had been a part of Fiona's mission. His best friend was lying to him and he's just cool with that? I know Werner is making amends, but if Bernard doesn't care then his penance doesn't mean as much.
The good, on the other hand, is overwhelming. Teaming up Bernard and Dickey is always a good move; as much as you want to just deck him, Dickey is so entertaining you want him to torture Bernard with his presence. He even gets a moment of courage under fire! That this comes after Bernard has to save his life from a couple of communist agents is even better; is Dickey trying to prove himself in the field? I also enjoyed new addition Rupert Copper. He has a small role, but I appreciated Deighton introducing an Oxford man who was actually a decent guy and who genuinely likes Bernard. The insights into the Polish mindset are fascinating, especially the way religion plays into it. And the shootout during the escape at the end heightens the tension. There's also some terrific humor, most of it coming from Bernard's complete irreverence. Hope is a great one.
I'd put Hope in the upper echelons of the enealogy. Now, to hope Deighton sticks the landing with Charity.
After the bungle at the end of Faith, Bernard Samson is sent to Poland in search of his errant brother-in-law George, who is determined to find the truth behind Tessa's death. But is Tessa really dead? On the home front, Bernard's marriage is running ice cold, while Gloria's presence at the office makes him long for the life he could've had.
Spoilers...
The twists and turns in Bernard's investigation are gripping this time, perhaps more than in any of the other books. I gasped when Bernard was told that George was dead, and I hoped it wasn't true as he and Dickey visited the Kosinski family home. George ultimately being alive is a double-edged sword; I love the character and am glad he's okay, but he turns out not to be what we all thought. George has been spying for the Russians, and when Tessa was killed they used his penchant for hope to keep him on the line, assuring him that Tessa was not only alive but pregnant with the child he's always wanted and that Tessa denied him. The commies go to great lengths to persuade not only George but Bernard and British Intelligence that this is true; they even used the defector from Faith to put the idea of Tessa's survival into Bernard's head before killing him (which, I guess, means it was the Stasi after all -- unless this is yet another twist waiting in the wings). But Bernard has enough experience to figure out that this is all a deception and George is being played to secure his allegiance. The twist is mind-blowing; George seemed such an upright man, one who would never stray to the dark side of the Iron Curtain. But the explanation is entirely believable, and it feels consistent with George's personality. It's hard to completely hate him... unless you're Bernard, who wishes he could kill George himself.
But perhaps his intense hatred comes from his seeing a little bit of himself in George, and that is informed by the domestic side of the book. Bernard and Fiona, despite his insistence that he still loves her and she seems to care for him, feel like they can barely stand to sit in the same room with each other. Bernard is still hurting, and it's clear in their every interaction that, though he's trying to get past it, he doesn't trust her anymore. He expects her to take everyone else's side over his, and he can sense her manipulating him into taking Frank Harrington's place in Germany. He also begins to see that, due to her own unease with the children's resentment towards her, he'll likely never see his kids again, as Fiona would prefer they stay with her parents. Bernard has to use some deception himself just to get an afternoon with them (and, as always, is then made out to be the bad guy). Fiona even arranges -- or allows her father to arrange -- for the kids to be kept from Bernard over Christmas. But the final nail in the coffin is when Werner, brimming with guilt, reveals to Bernard that Fiona cheated on him. All of this while Bernard is doing everything he can to make things easier for his wife and eschewing Gloria, the woman who might actually make him happy. Much of Hope is infuriating in this regard, but the ending makes it all worth it, as Bernard decides to spend Christmas with Gloria, finally discovering that his only hope for happiness was in the one place he'd resolved not to look. I really hope he follows through with this and tells Fiona to go to hell.
There's very little to dislike in Hope. Again, Thurkettle is mentioned, so his too-early death continues to sting. He and Bernard should be on a collision course, but instead our hero is chasing a ghost (in a similar fashion to George, I suppose, but it's still unsatisfying). I also found it a bit odd that Bernard wasn't angry at hearing that Werner had been a part of Fiona's mission. His best friend was lying to him and he's just cool with that? I know Werner is making amends, but if Bernard doesn't care then his penance doesn't mean as much.
The good, on the other hand, is overwhelming. Teaming up Bernard and Dickey is always a good move; as much as you want to just deck him, Dickey is so entertaining you want him to torture Bernard with his presence. He even gets a moment of courage under fire! That this comes after Bernard has to save his life from a couple of communist agents is even better; is Dickey trying to prove himself in the field? I also enjoyed new addition Rupert Copper. He has a small role, but I appreciated Deighton introducing an Oxford man who was actually a decent guy and who genuinely likes Bernard. The insights into the Polish mindset are fascinating, especially the way religion plays into it. And the shootout during the escape at the end heightens the tension. There's also some terrific humor, most of it coming from Bernard's complete irreverence. Hope is a great one.
I'd put Hope in the upper echelons of the enealogy. Now, to hope Deighton sticks the landing with Charity.
October 21, 2018
Originally published on my blog here in December 2004.
The Bernard Samson story continues, as the waves thrown up by his brother in law George Kosinski's attempts to investigate the death of his wife (Bernard's wife's sister) continue to threaten to reveal all kinds of unwelcome facts about the actions of British Intelligence in the closing months of the Cold War. (Tessa Kosinski had been killed during her sister's escape from East Germany where she had been working undercover - a British agent who was a senior official in the Stasi secret police.) Now George has himself disappeared, apparently either escaping from or kidnapped by Stasi agents. Bernard undertakes a mission to George's family home, a big house in a remote part of Poland, protected from appropriation by the Communists by a series of compromises made with the regime over the years.
While it is clear when thinking about it dispassionately that the whole of the Bernard Samson series is to say the least unlikely, this is the first of the novels where the improbabilities mount up to the point where the reader takes notice before reaching the end. There is a feeling that Deighton has by this point rather run out of steam, that the third re-interpretation of the story behind Fiona Samson's apparent defection has just too little material to work on. The third trilogy was written rather longer after the events it describes than the earlier novels - Hope is set in 1987, but not published until 1995 - and so lacks the immediacy that they had. (This is apparent even reading them years later - Deighton obviously got fired up about describing the Cold War as it happened.) This also means of course that most readers will know what happens next: the rapid collapse of the Soviet bloc at the end of the eighties hangs over this third trilogy (I suspect it was written because Deighton felt that the reactions of a veteran intelligence officer familiar with Berlin to the demolition of the Wall would make interesting reading). Hope is the poorest novel in the whole sequence and what I have said about several of the others applies with more force here: start at the beginning with Berlin Game and you will want to read the whole Bernard Samson story; do not start in the middle or near the end.
The Bernard Samson story continues, as the waves thrown up by his brother in law George Kosinski's attempts to investigate the death of his wife (Bernard's wife's sister) continue to threaten to reveal all kinds of unwelcome facts about the actions of British Intelligence in the closing months of the Cold War. (Tessa Kosinski had been killed during her sister's escape from East Germany where she had been working undercover - a British agent who was a senior official in the Stasi secret police.) Now George has himself disappeared, apparently either escaping from or kidnapped by Stasi agents. Bernard undertakes a mission to George's family home, a big house in a remote part of Poland, protected from appropriation by the Communists by a series of compromises made with the regime over the years.
While it is clear when thinking about it dispassionately that the whole of the Bernard Samson series is to say the least unlikely, this is the first of the novels where the improbabilities mount up to the point where the reader takes notice before reaching the end. There is a feeling that Deighton has by this point rather run out of steam, that the third re-interpretation of the story behind Fiona Samson's apparent defection has just too little material to work on. The third trilogy was written rather longer after the events it describes than the earlier novels - Hope is set in 1987, but not published until 1995 - and so lacks the immediacy that they had. (This is apparent even reading them years later - Deighton obviously got fired up about describing the Cold War as it happened.) This also means of course that most readers will know what happens next: the rapid collapse of the Soviet bloc at the end of the eighties hangs over this third trilogy (I suspect it was written because Deighton felt that the reactions of a veteran intelligence officer familiar with Berlin to the demolition of the Wall would make interesting reading). Hope is the poorest novel in the whole sequence and what I have said about several of the others applies with more force here: start at the beginning with Berlin Game and you will want to read the whole Bernard Samson story; do not start in the middle or near the end.
December 20, 2014
So the Bernard Samson story continues as the waves caused by the return of his wife from her undercover work in East Germany continue to spread and cause unpleasant disruptions that threaten to bring to light actions of the British Intelligence Service that will reveal a number of unwelcome facts. This time Bernard is investigating the actions of his brother-in-law, George Kosinki, who seems to have mysterious connections with the East German Stasi.
The events of the previous years are taking their toll on Samson, both professionally and personally as he uncovers more details of his wife's secret mission, his brother-in-law's activities and his feelings for both the women in his life. These facts are developed well in the development of the books characters which continue to be real and realistic. Overall the story is solid and exciting keeping you going to the last turn of the page. Looking forward to the concluding part and hopefully some answers to those questions that remain unanswered.
The events of the previous years are taking their toll on Samson, both professionally and personally as he uncovers more details of his wife's secret mission, his brother-in-law's activities and his feelings for both the women in his life. These facts are developed well in the development of the books characters which continue to be real and realistic. Overall the story is solid and exciting keeping you going to the last turn of the page. Looking forward to the concluding part and hopefully some answers to those questions that remain unanswered.
September 19, 2017
I probably should not judge this series on this one book, since it has an excellent reputation. The only kind words I have are that Deighton's style is quite readable. I disliked everything else, and I do mean everything.
I thought I would praise the plot and, let's call it a subplot, that reveals troubled marriages and adulteries for multiple couples. While this has the form of a well-drawn novel (i. e. ANNA KARENINA), these do not really reveal much. They just exist in parallel. I grew tired of the protagonist being unrelenting right and everyone else being unrelentingly wrong and his cynical view of everything. One of the most obnoxious characters I have ever encountered, Dickie, is in half the book. All his scenes are very hard to take. I did not find the story especially worth telling.
I may give Samson another try, but I can wait a while.
I thought I would praise the plot and, let's call it a subplot, that reveals troubled marriages and adulteries for multiple couples. While this has the form of a well-drawn novel (i. e. ANNA KARENINA), these do not really reveal much. They just exist in parallel. I grew tired of the protagonist being unrelenting right and everyone else being unrelentingly wrong and his cynical view of everything. One of the most obnoxious characters I have ever encountered, Dickie, is in half the book. All his scenes are very hard to take. I did not find the story especially worth telling.
I may give Samson another try, but I can wait a while.
September 25, 2024
Bernard Samson's brother-in-law, George, is trying to get answers from East Germany about his wife's death. We know, from an earlier book, that she was killed as part of covering Fiona's escape from the East. However, it emerges that the Stasi have been contacting George which gets the department interested. When George vanishes, Bernard is sent to Poland to find him. The way in which the freezing winter if Poland is described almost has you shivering in your chair. Plus, we get a glimpse of Bernard's other side when some people try to rob him and Dickey Cruyer in Warsaw. It all leads to an exciting and intense ending.
April 7, 2019
Like a typical spy thriller, "Who can you trust?"
Alternating between London home turf, The Berlin office and Poland
our seasoned British spy Bernard Samson finds lots is happening to him.
What's really going on with his wife, brother-in-law, girl friend, various bosses?
Who did what to whom? Will keep you wondering until the end.
Alternating between London home turf, The Berlin office and Poland
our seasoned British spy Bernard Samson finds lots is happening to him.
What's really going on with his wife, brother-in-law, girl friend, various bosses?
Who did what to whom? Will keep you wondering until the end.
May 18, 2019
I'll keep this short, as, in reviewing number 8 of a 9-book series I have run out of things to say, except that Deighton continues to thrill, action is mixed with great insight (many writers of espionage fiction are decent at the former, few at the latter) And I'm about to jump into "Charity." Last book in the series - what will I do after that???
April 27, 2007
I want to be Bernard Samson.
August 13, 2016
This could have the best "hook" and story-"line" of any of the nine Samson-series books.
March 3, 2018
Jest w ósmym tomie dziewięcioodcinkowego serialu z Bernardem Samsonem więcej niż w poprzednich częściach krwawych epizodów i innych zaskakujących wydarzeń. Wyobraźnia czytelnika uruchamia oczywiście scenariusze tego typu akcji, wyjaśniające zarówno ich źródła jak i konsekwencje. Na ogół jednak owe przewidywane rozwiązania zagadek, typowe dla powieści szpiegowskich, u Lena Deightona się nie sprawdzają. Stare wątki, ciągnące się, czasami z przerwami, od początku cyklu coraz bardziej kluczą i ich końca nie widać. Wszystko nadal postrzegamy oczyma Samsona. Ale, ponieważ w jednym z wcześniejszych tomów autor odstąpił od tej reguły, czytelnik wie znacznie więcej niż sam Bernard, i o jego żonie Fionie, i o śmierci jego szwagierki Tessy Kosinski.
Tymczasem on, Bernard Samson, podąża tropem zrozpaczonego męża Tessy, George’a Kosinskiego, do jego rodzinnego kraju, czyli do Polski. Litościwie zamilczę nad obrazem tego dziwnego kraju, który niewiele ma wspólnego z Polską Anno Domini 1987. Owszem, autor z literacką swobodą operuje różnymi geograficznymi i historycznymi nazwami, nazwiskami i pojęciami, takimi jak Mazury, Bazar Różyckiego, Jan Paweł II, Bezpieka czy Solidarność, ale rozeznanie co do ich faktycznego znaczenia posiada niewielkie. Zresztą także rola brytyjskich szpiegów w NRD przedstawiana jest, przynajmniej dotychczas, mało przekonująco.
Tak naprawdę nie bardzo wiadomo, dokąd cała saga zmierza. Do jej zakończenia pozostał jeszcze jeden tom. Zdaje się jednak, że Mur u Lena Deightona nie upadnie. Czy zatem będzie to, podobnie jak u Johna le Carrégo, głównie gorzki, krytyczny obraz zimnowojennych działań wywiadu brytyjskiego? Jeśli mimo wszystko czytam te powieści z zainteresowaniem, to dzięki kunsztowi literackiemu autora. W Prologu do Nadziei Deighton przyznaje, że zawsze priorytetem dla niego było informowanie poprzez dialog. Toteż czytając pierwsze wersje swoich powieści starał się wszystkie autorskie komentarze i opisy zastępować rozmowami. Aż dziw bierze, jak wiele te dialogi są w stanie przekazać o świecie ludzi zwanych szpiegami.
Tymczasem on, Bernard Samson, podąża tropem zrozpaczonego męża Tessy, George’a Kosinskiego, do jego rodzinnego kraju, czyli do Polski. Litościwie zamilczę nad obrazem tego dziwnego kraju, który niewiele ma wspólnego z Polską Anno Domini 1987. Owszem, autor z literacką swobodą operuje różnymi geograficznymi i historycznymi nazwami, nazwiskami i pojęciami, takimi jak Mazury, Bazar Różyckiego, Jan Paweł II, Bezpieka czy Solidarność, ale rozeznanie co do ich faktycznego znaczenia posiada niewielkie. Zresztą także rola brytyjskich szpiegów w NRD przedstawiana jest, przynajmniej dotychczas, mało przekonująco.
Tak naprawdę nie bardzo wiadomo, dokąd cała saga zmierza. Do jej zakończenia pozostał jeszcze jeden tom. Zdaje się jednak, że Mur u Lena Deightona nie upadnie. Czy zatem będzie to, podobnie jak u Johna le Carrégo, głównie gorzki, krytyczny obraz zimnowojennych działań wywiadu brytyjskiego? Jeśli mimo wszystko czytam te powieści z zainteresowaniem, to dzięki kunsztowi literackiemu autora. W Prologu do Nadziei Deighton przyznaje, że zawsze priorytetem dla niego było informowanie poprzez dialog. Toteż czytając pierwsze wersje swoich powieści starał się wszystkie autorskie komentarze i opisy zastępować rozmowami. Aż dziw bierze, jak wiele te dialogi są w stanie przekazać o świecie ludzi zwanych szpiegami.
January 1, 2026
Closing out 2025 with my most-read author Len Deighton, and my most-read-about character Bernard Samson, and I can't complain. Because while it's not quite as good as what's come before, it's a satisfying romp nonetheless.
"Hope" has Bernard confronting the fact that his marriage may never really recover, and the fact that his brother-in-law may be up to his neck in crap because of his desire to prove that Tessa (George's wife and Bernard 's sister-in-law) is somehow still alive. Intrigue and violence follow Bernard to Poland, which is in the grip of the conflict between Solidarity and the Russian army just over the border (there's a ground presence inside Poland, but more troops could certainly show up). And Bernard's wife Fiona has been hiding a secret from him that could destroy the fragile union they have tried to rebuild since her defection back to the West.
Something that I love about the Bernard Samson series (and Deighton's work in general) is how grounded it is. Spies lead complicated lives, and Bernard's is maybe the most complicated of all. He has to balance his work life with his personal life, and his love life with his responsibilities towards his superiors. He's almost always in a tangled web of deceit, either on his part or on behalf of someone in his life. And he's being pushed to extremes by the closing salvos of the Cold War.
Taut and suspenseful, "Hope" puts Bernard Samson on the road to the conclusion of his saga (which I just happen to have thanks to my local library, though I don't know when I'll tackle it). I have hope that the story will end in a way that both surprises me and makes me glad to have embarked on this journey.
"Hope" has Bernard confronting the fact that his marriage may never really recover, and the fact that his brother-in-law may be up to his neck in crap because of his desire to prove that Tessa (George's wife and Bernard 's sister-in-law) is somehow still alive. Intrigue and violence follow Bernard to Poland, which is in the grip of the conflict between Solidarity and the Russian army just over the border (there's a ground presence inside Poland, but more troops could certainly show up). And Bernard's wife Fiona has been hiding a secret from him that could destroy the fragile union they have tried to rebuild since her defection back to the West.
Something that I love about the Bernard Samson series (and Deighton's work in general) is how grounded it is. Spies lead complicated lives, and Bernard's is maybe the most complicated of all. He has to balance his work life with his personal life, and his love life with his responsibilities towards his superiors. He's almost always in a tangled web of deceit, either on his part or on behalf of someone in his life. And he's being pushed to extremes by the closing salvos of the Cold War.
Taut and suspenseful, "Hope" puts Bernard Samson on the road to the conclusion of his saga (which I just happen to have thanks to my local library, though I don't know when I'll tackle it). I have hope that the story will end in a way that both surprises me and makes me glad to have embarked on this journey.
April 22, 2020
As with "Faith," I first read this book years ago, and pulled it off my shelf to read again because all the Covid-19 closures and a stretch of chilly weather provided me with a lot of time to read. Even though I had read this book before, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it again. And unlike most readers, apparently, I liked "Hope" even more than "Faith"--partly because of the ending. Bernie's first foray into Poland while hunting down his brother-in-law began to drag a bit in spots, but it was followed up with a nail-biter ending that I loved.
The Cold War provided the perfect setting for spy novels, and along with Le Carre, Deighton really exploits the possibilities. Now that Russia under Putin has returned in full dress to its past nastiness, I'm hoping a new spy novelist emerges to treat current intrigues with the same insight and flair as that possessed by Deighton and Le Carre. But until that happens, you can't do better than Deighton's Bernard Samson novels if you want to follow in the footsteps of a smart, capable, and feisty British spy.
The Cold War provided the perfect setting for spy novels, and along with Le Carre, Deighton really exploits the possibilities. Now that Russia under Putin has returned in full dress to its past nastiness, I'm hoping a new spy novelist emerges to treat current intrigues with the same insight and flair as that possessed by Deighton and Le Carre. But until that happens, you can't do better than Deighton's Bernard Samson novels if you want to follow in the footsteps of a smart, capable, and feisty British spy.
March 17, 2017
Have this in hard cover, so book cover very different. The saga continues, Bernard is not having the best of times with his wife Fiona, the one who deserted him for four years, left him with two children to raise, and went off behind the wall as a double agent. Bernard, aka Bernie, was not told she was a double agent, and had to get on with his life, falling in love with Gloria, who looked after his kids. Back comes Fiona, hailed as the wonderful warrior, and who shows jealous against Gloria, neglecting to tell her husband, that all the while she had been having an affair with a communist agent before she left for the "other side" and after she got there. However, Bernie is not aware of this, until his best friend finally tells him, not only did he know Fiona was a double agent, but that he was her case manager, and he fills Bernie in about the affair. At last Bernie wakes up to the real Fiona. Or does he, the reader is never convinced about anything with Bernie. In the meantime, Bernie is shoved out of the main H.Q. he tries to find his brother in law, who has gone of to Poland, sure that his wife, who they told him was shot, is still alive. Dicky goes with Bernie, such a sleaze is Dicky, and nearly gets them killed, well of course he does, and others get killed, and more double agents. Brother in law is a real jerk, back and forth to Germany, and Poland and escapes, and twists in the plot, and who is really running the spy's in London? Gloria starts to shine, but obviously it is her dad who must have changed the dental in the skull (several books back) but that has not come up yet, and he has been pushed out to Europe to teach. Will he be bumped off in a future book, who knows? Onto the next book
May 28, 2022
I’ve one to go. I’ve read the Samson series to here - 9 books. I’ve really loved some of them and I’ve enjoyed the rest. But after “Hope”I will tackle the last remaining book in the series with some trepidation.
The first half of this book is at least half comedy. But its flat. The caricature Dickie Cruyer returns as a leading character - my heart sank - a pastiche east European gothic - a plodding Mel Brooks came to mind. The second half is pedestrian by Deighton’s standards. I’m not sure either the plot or some of the characters as drawn are credible enough.
I have more than enjoyed this series. I haven’t for over 40 years devoured a sequence of books one after the other like I have these. I understand after “Charity”, Len Deighton more or less ceased writing. I hope he didn’t feel his powers were waiting. So far I’ve rated Deighton above le Carre. I hope this is just a pause, an excursion, an experiment, before the end.
The first half of this book is at least half comedy. But its flat. The caricature Dickie Cruyer returns as a leading character - my heart sank - a pastiche east European gothic - a plodding Mel Brooks came to mind. The second half is pedestrian by Deighton’s standards. I’m not sure either the plot or some of the characters as drawn are credible enough.
I have more than enjoyed this series. I haven’t for over 40 years devoured a sequence of books one after the other like I have these. I understand after “Charity”, Len Deighton more or less ceased writing. I hope he didn’t feel his powers were waiting. So far I’ve rated Deighton above le Carre. I hope this is just a pause, an excursion, an experiment, before the end.
July 12, 2022
I'm late to this one although I've Deighton before
Hopes s a curious mixture: the happenings in the Polish household are puzzling and tiresome, but he captures what must be the murkiness of life's dishevelment as a spy. Reading this and imagining more, you can feel the displacement of the spies. Many of them are in it for their country, but sometimes it doesn't seem to matter which country.
Others are it for themselves and others because once in the service they can't get out.
Often their bosses are inept, unexpired, and inexperienced in the field, and therefore they make stunning errors that lead to people getting killed.
Their home lives and marriages are wrecked, and the work is dangerous, undervalued, and underpaid. James Bond, it's not.
Often the field operators feel their boses don't know what the hell they are doing.
They're right.
I'm glad I read it.
Hope is a good title.
Hopes s a curious mixture: the happenings in the Polish household are puzzling and tiresome, but he captures what must be the murkiness of life's dishevelment as a spy. Reading this and imagining more, you can feel the displacement of the spies. Many of them are in it for their country, but sometimes it doesn't seem to matter which country.
Others are it for themselves and others because once in the service they can't get out.
Often their bosses are inept, unexpired, and inexperienced in the field, and therefore they make stunning errors that lead to people getting killed.
Their home lives and marriages are wrecked, and the work is dangerous, undervalued, and underpaid. James Bond, it's not.
Often the field operators feel their boses don't know what the hell they are doing.
They're right.
I'm glad I read it.
Hope is a good title.
May 5, 2017
One of the most boring and confusing books I've ever read. Apparently not reading the prior books in the series is a serious disadvantage, because I knew nothing about Fiona or Gloria or any of the relationships between the different characters, and very little was offered in the way of explanations. I found it impossible to follow entire sections of their dialogue that seemed to cover something in a prior book.
I also didn't follow everything about Delius because the author failed to explain what this network was or how it operated. Finally, there were far too many times when Bernard just happened to show up somewhere and coincidentally run across just the person he needed to meet to keep the story going. Overall, I'm surprised I even finished the book.
I also didn't follow everything about Delius because the author failed to explain what this network was or how it operated. Finally, there were far too many times when Bernard just happened to show up somewhere and coincidentally run across just the person he needed to meet to keep the story going. Overall, I'm surprised I even finished the book.
August 22, 2022
Things get more complicated and entangled (if that is possible) in this, the eighth of the nine books in the Bernard Samson saga. It is a testament to the skill of the author that, even after a couple of thousand pages, we are still agog to find out what fresh hell is visited upon our hero, the battered tough and implacable Bernard who appears to be the only person who has any inkling of what’s happening and he’s usually apparently in the dark - his cynicism and experience keep him one step ahead of the “Service” and out of the clutches of the Stasi.
Dickie Cruyer remains my favourite character - such an arse - and his peccadilloes are mercilessly and hilariously lampooned by Bernard.
I’m very sad that there is only “Charity” to come but looking forward to reading it enormously.
Dickie Cruyer remains my favourite character - such an arse - and his peccadilloes are mercilessly and hilariously lampooned by Bernard.
I’m very sad that there is only “Charity” to come but looking forward to reading it enormously.
February 2, 2018
This is the 8th Barnard Samson book I’ve read, so clearly I enjoy the characters that populate these stories and am interested in the kinds of intrigue in which they get entangled. Although advertised as standalone books, the reader would lose a lot if the books were not read in order (since the past stories propelled the characters to their current situations). This book was my favorite of the series so far – probably because [1] the character interactions were sometimes a bit more humorous and [2] by the end of the story I felt like the impact of the characters’ actions were more consequential.
August 14, 2019
A fine piece of espionage type fiction, focusing on the relationships between and among players and non-players in the spy game. It poses the question, who is a non-player?
The scene descriptions are as always with Len Deighton great, but the action sequences (though improving)need some work in order to reach the standards of the descriptions.
The kids are an important factor in this book, who along with Samson's father-in-law do have a position left open for them in"Charity", the last of the Samson series.
The scene descriptions are as always with Len Deighton great, but the action sequences (though improving)need some work in order to reach the standards of the descriptions.
The kids are an important factor in this book, who along with Samson's father-in-law do have a position left open for them in"Charity", the last of the Samson series.
September 19, 2017
Long ago I read the Bernard Samson trilogies which preceded this novel and remember enjoying them. This middle book in the last Bernard Samson trilogy is similarly entertaining. Much of the intrigue in this spy story deals with office backstabbing at Britain's spy agency, while the actual spy story spends time in the background before a fast-paced conclusion. Well written and witty, and a good break from some of my recent reads.
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