The anatomy of the spy novel

The anatomy of the spy novel

April 20, 2026 · 14 min

About this episode

This episode explores the evolution and themes of postwar spy novels, highlighting works by Ian Fleming and Mick Herron.

From the gung-ho glamour of Ian Fleming’s James Bond to the decline and disorder of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses, postwar spy novels have captured the shifting myths, legends and caricatures surrounding the secret world. Read by Leighton Pugh. Read the essay here: https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-anatomy-of-the-spy-novel/ . Image: Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr No (1962). Credit: Alamy

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