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Berlin Game
- Penguin Modern Classics
- Narrated by: James Lailey
- Series: Bernard Samson, Book 1
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Embattled agent Bernard Samson is used to being passed over for promotion as his younger, more ambitious colleagues - including his own wife, Fiona - rise up the ranks of MI6. When a valued agent in East Berlin warns the British of a mole at the heart of the Service, Samson must return to the field and the city he loves to uncover the traitor's identity. This is the first novel in Len Deighton's acclaimed Game, Set and Match trilogy.
A Bernard Samson Novel
Critic reviews
"Masterly...dazzlingly intelligent and subtle." (Sunday Times)
"Deighton's best novel to date - sharp, witty and sour, like Raymond Chandler adapted to British gloom and the multiple betrayals of the spy." (Observer)
More from the same
What listeners say about Berlin Game
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Pomerol
- 31-10-21
Superb, clever, involving and nuanced.
Not only can I not fault this book I was also moved by it. If you’re a fan of classic Cold War Le Carre you will likely take great pleasure in this. It has two things very obviously similar to Le Carre in addition to the subject matter: this isn’t just a spy story but also literature - the exploration of human nature is part of the narrative device. The book’s grip on the reader tightens and tightens without recourse to tedious methods of artificial suspense.
If Len Deighton wasn’t over ninety now and long retired from writing (which latterly he called a mug’s game) I would try to send him fan mail via his publisher. The performance and adaptation fit perfectly for me. I’m looking forward very much to either reading or listening to the rest of this series and indeed all of Len Deighton’s work.
6 people found this helpful
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- Michael Lloyd
- 07-12-21
A great tale of its time; lives traded for data
Well narrated, the correct pace and diction.
The author Len Deighton captures the cynicism worn with honour at every level by either side. He illustrates the mean spirited nature hidden behind the outwardly pleasant middle classes of of suburbia and the hollowed out existence of the war survivors in the East so well. Hats off to the poor souls who do this for Queen and country today and tomorrow.
3 people found this helpful
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- Jonas Westius
- 20-09-21
Enjoy the ride
This is GOLD. Story, characters, time period, the arena. Len Deighton is a master storyteller. The narrator James Lailey makes it a better choice listening to these books instead of reading them.
3 people found this helpful
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- mark john phillips
- 23-03-22
Berlin game
loved it ! I am now working my way through all the Len deighton spy novels
1 person found this helpful
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- Paul
- 15-07-22
A great story
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A great story, well paced and with interesting characters. James Lailey is a perfect choice as reader. I have just downloaded Mexico Set and I can't wait
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- D. Smith
- 23-06-22
It's a bit wondering
I'm not sure but I'm intrigued to listen to the next ones. Partly because I don't know where the story is going. It's well written though and well performed. So it's generally enjoyable.
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- GRH
- 16-06-22
Brilliant
Thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, it held my attention all the way through.
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- Jan
- 12-06-22
excellent story and narration
excellent story and narration . charecterization is wonderful and the plot very engaging. classic spy story.
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- Anonymous User
- 05-06-22
Really very good
I enjoyed the writing and the performance equally. I feel that one or two plot lines were not fully developed or closed. Maybe these will be revisited in later books, or I missed the point (probably this to be fair) I will be starting the next book today, which I think says it all really!
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- Sebastian
- 13-05-22
Thilled that the narrator is so good
Staggering attention to detail in characters & places. This is the first of three trilogy’s & o can’t wait to embark on them all - thank you Len Deighton