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The Secret Masters
Suspense Novel--About a few Men who Wanted the World for Themselves! Kersh's classic about unlikely investigators into the diabolical schemes of men beyond the law.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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About the author
Gerald Kersh
109 books62 followersGerald Kersh was born in Teddington-on-Thames, near London, and, like so many writers, quit school to take on a series of jobs -- salesman, baker, fish-and-chips cook, nightclub bouncer, freelance newspaper reporter and at the same time was writing his first two novels.
In 1937, his third published novel, Night and the City, hurled him into the front ranks of young British writers. Twenty novels later Kersh created his personal masterpiece, Fowler's End, regarded by many as one of the outstanding novels of the century. He also, throughout his long career, wrote more than 400 short stories and over 1,000 articles.
Once a professional wrestler, Kersh also fought with the Coldstream Guards in World War II. His account of infantry training They Die With Their Boots Clean (1941), became an instant best-seller during that war.
After traveling over much of the world, he became an American citizen, living quietly in Cragsmoor, in a remote section of the Shawangunk Mountains in New York State. He died in Kingston, NY, in 1968.
(Biography compiled from "Nightmares & Damnations" and Fantastic Fiction.)
In 1937, his third published novel, Night and the City, hurled him into the front ranks of young British writers. Twenty novels later Kersh created his personal masterpiece, Fowler's End, regarded by many as one of the outstanding novels of the century. He also, throughout his long career, wrote more than 400 short stories and over 1,000 articles.
Once a professional wrestler, Kersh also fought with the Coldstream Guards in World War II. His account of infantry training They Die With Their Boots Clean (1941), became an instant best-seller during that war.
After traveling over much of the world, he became an American citizen, living quietly in Cragsmoor, in a remote section of the Shawangunk Mountains in New York State. He died in Kingston, NY, in 1968.
(Biography compiled from "Nightmares & Damnations" and Fantastic Fiction.)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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June 15, 2019The most plot-driven Kersh book I have read, which admittedly isn't saying much. It wouldn't be Kersh without much rambling, irrelevant but engaging backstory, and weird side characters being weird, all of which is present in spades, but this also has a great 'fending off conspiracy to destroy the world' SF plot with an extremely modern feel to it, and very nasty mega-rich villains, plus a lovely central friendship. A book that deserves rediscovery. (A few racial slurs though, casually used in the way of the 50s, so heads up.)
January 6, 2011
Middle period Kersh, where he is beginning to branch out and explore more types of fiction. The closest genre this would fit into would probably be some type of mystery or adventure. Published in 1952 and long out of print, I can imagine it being read by Ian Fleming and used as an inspiration for a James Bond novel.
Moments of brilliance are found throughout the novel, and it was very well plotted and paced. I think it would stand up to repeated reading, and more artistry and skill would emerge.
There are competing pressures in reading fiction - to finish the book because the plot is intriguing, and to leisurely savor the artistry of the author. Popular fiction stresses the first aim, whereas literature stressed the second, and rewards careful and repeated reading (studying, even). I think that Kersh tries and basically achieves a very good balance between these competing purposes in the majority of his work, and especially in this very masterfully constructed story with demonstrable artistry and keen characterizations.
Moments of brilliance are found throughout the novel, and it was very well plotted and paced. I think it would stand up to repeated reading, and more artistry and skill would emerge.
There are competing pressures in reading fiction - to finish the book because the plot is intriguing, and to leisurely savor the artistry of the author. Popular fiction stresses the first aim, whereas literature stressed the second, and rewards careful and repeated reading (studying, even). I think that Kersh tries and basically achieves a very good balance between these competing purposes in the majority of his work, and especially in this very masterfully constructed story with demonstrable artistry and keen characterizations.
January 17, 2016
Kersh was one of those pulp outliers who dabbled in multiple genres without ever settling in one. The Great Wash is his espionage thriller about two journalist stumbling upon a conspiracy to destroy the world. Very much of it is in the "That was a very fascinating story you just told me. It reminds me of this very fascinating story I will now relate to you" style of writing.
If you ever wondered what an Arthur Machen penned James Bond thriller might have read like, then this book is your answer.
If you ever wondered what an Arthur Machen penned James Bond thriller might have read like, then this book is your answer.
October 11, 2012
I read this novel under the title "The Third Compartment", a serial in an Australian newspaper consisting of five instalments printed in January and February of 1953. It has a Vernian plot mixed with elements of a thriller, social commentary and some thin references to the international situation.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews