Syndetics cover image
Image from Syndetics

The private life of spies ; and the exquisite art of getting even / Alexander McCall Smith.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: New York : Random House Large Print, [2023]Copyright date: ©2023Edition: First large print editionDescription: 451 pages (large print) ; 24 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9780593683859
  • 0593683854
Other title:
  • Exquisite art of getting even
Uniform titles:
  • Short stories. Selections
Contained works:
  • McCall Smith, Alexander, 1948- Private life of shadows
  • McCall Smith, Alexander, 1948- Exquisite art of getting even
Subject(s): Genre/Form:
Contents:
The Private Life of Spies -- Author's Note -- Nuns and Spies (England, 1943) -- Syphax and Omar (Algiers, 1924) -- Ferry Timetable (Scotland, 1984) -- Donald and Yevgeni (Shanghai, Moscow, Washington, 1934-1947) -- Filioque (Rome, 2022) -- The Exquisite Art of Getting Even -- Sweet Vengeance: An Introduction -- Vengeance Is Mine -- A Melbourne Story: An Introduction -- The Principles of Soap -- Cavalleria Rusticana: An Introduction -- Monty, Tiger, Rose, Etc. -- Dignity & Decency: An Introduction -- One, Two, Three.
Summary: "From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a new short story collection: half spy stories, half tales of revenge, all highlight the kinder, funnier, and gentler side of espionage and retribution. In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself--quite convincingly--as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imagination, Alexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humor, these stories remind us that, in the end, the high road is often the better one for all involved"-- Provided by publisher.
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Large Print Book Large Print Book Main Library Large Print Fiction MCCALL S ALEXANDE Available 33111011271869
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a new short story collection: half spy stories, half tales of revenge, all highlight the kinder, funnier, and gentler side of espionage and retribution.

In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself--quite convincingly--as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day.

A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imagination, Alexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humor, these stories remind us that, in the end, the high road is often the better one for all involved.

"Stories of espionage and revenge"-Cover.

Originally published in hardcover in two volumes in Great Britain as The Exquisite Art of Getting Even by Polygon Books, an imprint of Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, in 2022, and The Private Life of Shadows by Abacus, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, London, in 2023.

The Private Life of Spies -- Author's Note -- Nuns and Spies (England, 1943) -- Syphax and Omar (Algiers, 1924) -- Ferry Timetable (Scotland, 1984) -- Donald and Yevgeni (Shanghai, Moscow, Washington, 1934-1947) -- Filioque (Rome, 2022) -- The Exquisite Art of Getting Even -- Sweet Vengeance: An Introduction -- Vengeance Is Mine -- A Melbourne Story: An Introduction -- The Principles of Soap -- Cavalleria Rusticana: An Introduction -- Monty, Tiger, Rose, Etc. -- Dignity & Decency: An Introduction -- One, Two, Three.

"From the beloved author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series comes a new short story collection: half spy stories, half tales of revenge, all highlight the kinder, funnier, and gentler side of espionage and retribution. In this dual collection of short stories, Alexander McCall Smith brings his trademark humor and warmth to inventive tales of spying and vengeance. In one story, a spy dropped deep into enemy territory manages to disguise himself--quite convincingly--as a nun. In another, an invitation to join the Vatican Secret Service sends a prospective operative down a rabbit hole of controversy and confusion. A third story finds an author, on the brink of public ruin, seeing the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day. A keen observer of humanity imbued with a sparkling imagination, Alexander McCall Smith illustrates throughout that transparency is paramount and forgiveness is restorative. With surprising insight and a healthy helping of humor, these stories remind us that, in the end, the high road is often the better one for all involved"-- Provided by publisher.

Powered by Koha