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The pious agent
The Pious Agent
252 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 1976
11 people want to read
About the author
John Braine
37 books40 followersJohn Gerard Braine was born in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1922. He sprang to immediate fame in 1957 with publication of his first novel, Room at the Top, which was a critical success and a major bestseller in England and America and was adapted for the screen in an Oscar-winning 1959 film starring Simone Signoret and Laurence Harvey. His second novel, The Vodi (1959), met with mixed reviews and a disappointing reception, but was Braine’s favourite of his own works. His next book, Life at the Top (1962), a sequel to Room at the Top, sold well and was filmed in 1965.
Braine, who was commonly associated with what the British media dubbed the ‘Angry Young Men’ movement of working-class writers disenchanted with the traditional British class system, continued writing until his death in 1986, though as of 2013, all his works were out of print. Recently, there has been renewed interest in Braine’s work, with Valancourt Books’ reissues of Room at the Top and The Vodi, and a 2012 BBC miniseries adaptation of Room at the Top.
Braine, who was commonly associated with what the British media dubbed the ‘Angry Young Men’ movement of working-class writers disenchanted with the traditional British class system, continued writing until his death in 1986, though as of 2013, all his works were out of print. Recently, there has been renewed interest in Braine’s work, with Valancourt Books’ reissues of Room at the Top and The Vodi, and a 2012 BBC miniseries adaptation of Room at the Top.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 18, 2014
After reading Braine's classic Room at the Top several years ago I decided he was an author I wanted to know better, an undiscovered treasure. I'm working my way through and must be nearly in double figures, with not too many left. Braine is big on social commentary and while The Pious Agent is a departure from his usual fare his favourite theme remains evident. This is no straightforward spy tale though, with an odd first few chapters that might be letters or monologues giving way to the story proper that doesn't make a whole lot more sense.
The style of The Pious Agent reminded me a little of Michael Moorcock, another author not afraid of confusing his readers with smoke and mirrors. There is no doubt that the main character, Xavier, is an agent or that he is pious. However, just about everything else is open to interpretation, and at times it was like watching a football match with only half the pitch visible.
Still, Braine's writing is always good to read, and there is a general thread of Xavier trying to unravel what exactly is going on, while trying to identify friend from foe. By their nature, many novels about the intelligence services are somewhat vague, and The Pious Agent certainly follows that tradition. Some fascinating scenes and clever writing make this unusual entry in Braine's catalogue a worthwhile read.
The style of The Pious Agent reminded me a little of Michael Moorcock, another author not afraid of confusing his readers with smoke and mirrors. There is no doubt that the main character, Xavier, is an agent or that he is pious. However, just about everything else is open to interpretation, and at times it was like watching a football match with only half the pitch visible.
Still, Braine's writing is always good to read, and there is a general thread of Xavier trying to unravel what exactly is going on, while trying to identify friend from foe. By their nature, many novels about the intelligence services are somewhat vague, and The Pious Agent certainly follows that tradition. Some fascinating scenes and clever writing make this unusual entry in Braine's catalogue a worthwhile read.
August 6, 2010
ascinating book - a different take on British spies, somewhere between James Bond and George Smiley - bringing up interesting questions about the morality of espionage and assassination and personal responsibility.
January 16, 2014
Some engaging action sequences, but I just didn't buy the idea of a pious secret agent with a license to kill, especially when Xavier also has a license to sleep around...
Also, the end twist is totally predictable and formulaic. There's always a mole at the top!
Also, the end twist is totally predictable and formulaic. There's always a mole at the top!
August 27, 2015
Read is years ago, the 1970s? A library copy. Unfortunately, I can't remember anything more than the title
February 22, 2026
3.7
Solid spy-ish novel
Drags at times, but, it's British and suffering, so there you go
Solid spy-ish novel
Drags at times, but, it's British and suffering, so there you go
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews