About the book
WINNER OF THE LANNAN LITERARY AWARD FOR FICTION • From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea comes the fascinating story of a former British spy who's been unmasked as a Russian agent—and \"one of spy fiction's greatest characters\" (People). • \"Contemporary fiction gets no better than this.\" —The New York Times Book Review
One of the most dazzling and adventurous writers now working in English takes on the enigma of the Cambridge spies in a novel of exquisite menace, biting social comedy, and vertiginous moral complexity. The narrator is the elderly Victor Maskell, formerly of British intelligence, for many years art expert to the Queen. Now he has been unmasked as a Russian agent and subjected to a disgrace that is almost a kind of death. But at whose instigation?
As Maskell retraces his tortuous path from his recruitment at Cambridge to the airless upper regions of the establishment, we discover a figure of manifold doubleness: Irishman and Englishman; husband, father, and lover of men; betrayer and dupe. Beautifully written, filled with convincing fictional portraits of Maskell's co-conspirators, and vibrant with the mysteries of loyalty and identity, The Untouchable places John Banville in the select company of both Conrad and le Carre.
\"Victor Maskell is one of the great characters in recent fiction.... The Untouchable is the best work of art in any medium on [its] subject.\" —Washington Post Book World
\"As remarkable a literary voice as any to come out of Ireland; Joyce and Beckett notwithstanding.\" —San Francisco Chronicle
Editions of The Untouchable
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780517289402
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780679451082
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780679767473
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307560926
Read an Excerpt
WINNER OF THE LANNAN LITERARY AWARD FOR FICTION • From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea comes the fascinating story of a former British spy who's been unmasked as a Russian agent—and \"one of spy fiction's greatest characters\" (People). • \"Contemporary fiction gets no better than this.\" —The New York Times Book Review
One of the most dazzling and adventurous writers now working in English takes on the enigma of the Cambridge spies in a novel of exquisite menace, biting social comedy, and vertiginous moral complexity. The narrator is the elderly Victor Maskell, formerly of British intelligence, for many years art expert to the Queen. Now he has been unmasked as a Russian agent and subjected to a disgrace that is almost a kind of death. But at whose instigation?
As Maskell retraces his tortuous path from his recruitment at Cambridge to the airless upper regions of the establishment, we discover a figure of manifold doubleness: Irishman and Englishman; husband, father, and lover of men; betrayer and dupe. Beautifully written, filled with convincing fictional portraits of Maskell's co-conspirators, and vibrant with the mysteries of loyalty and identity, The Untouchable places John Banville in the select company of both Conrad and le Carre.
\"Victor Maskell is one of the great characters in recent fiction.... The Untouchable is the best work of art in any medium on [its] subject.\" —Washington Post Book World
\"As remarkable a literary voice as any to come out of Ireland; Joyce and Beckett notwithstanding.\" —San Francisco Chronicle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Untouchable about?
WINNER OF THE LANNAN LITERARY AWARD FOR FICTION • From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Sea comes the fascinating story of a former British spy who's been unmasked as a Russian agent—and \"one of spy fiction's greatest characters\" (People). • \"Contemporary fiction gets no better than this.\" —The New York Times Book Review
One of the most dazzling and adventurous writers now working in English takes on the enigma of the Cambridge spies in a novel of exquisite menace, biting social comedy, and vertiginous moral complexity. The narrator is the elderly Victor Maskell, formerly of British intelligence, for many years art expert to the Queen. Now he has been unmasked as a Russian agent and subjected to a disgrace that is almost a kind of death. But at whose instigation?
As Maskell retraces his tortuous path from his recruitment at Cambridge to the airless upper regions of the establishment, we discover a figure of manifold doubleness: Irishman and Englishman; husband, father, and lover of men; betrayer and dupe. Beautifully written, filled with convincing fictional portraits of Maskell's co-conspirators, and vibrant with the mysteries of loyalty and identity, The Untouchable places John Banville in the select company of both Conrad and le Carre.
\"Victor Maskell is one of the great characters in recent fiction.... The Untouchable is the best work of art in any medium on [its] subject.\" —Washington Post Book World
\"As remarkable a literary voice as any to come out of Ireland; Joyce and Beckett notwithstanding.\" —San Francisco Chronicle
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Untouchable?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of The Untouchable?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780517289402
Is The Untouchable part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Vintage International
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Untouchable?
John Banville
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Untouchable is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780517289402) and hardcover(ISBN 9780679451082) and paperback(ISBN 9780679767473) and ebook(ISBN 9780307560926)
Where can I buy The Untouchable online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Untouchable from below
Where can I buy The Untouchable?