Quiller
Encyclopedia
Quiller is the alias
of a fictional spy
created by English
novel
ist Elleston Trevor
and featured in a series of Cold War
thrillers written under the pseudonym "Adam Hall".
The series focuses on a solitary, highly capable spy (named for Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch
). This spy works, usually on his own, for a British
government bureau - referred to as "The Bureau" - that "doesn't exist." Quiller narrates his own adventures, addressing the reader in an informal style with such phrases as "my very good friend." Quiller occupies a literary middle ground between James Bond
and John le Carré
's characters. He is a highly skilled driver, pilot, diver, linguist and martial artist. In his choice of self-defense
methods, he favors a primary specialization in Shotokan karate, like the author. Additionally, Quiller has knowledge of Chin Na
-- a related, complementary art focused on advanced joint manipulation. He does not carry a firearm "in peacetime." Indeed, this may mean that he has not carried one since World War II
. reasoning that if he were caught, he would be able to explain anything he was carrying except a gun. He also believes that guns give their carriers a dangerously false sense of security, and he dislikes the bang they make. His resistance to interrogation is exceptional and he has managed to keep the "suffix-nine" designation that indicates that he is "reliable under torture". He has a morbid dislike of dogs, especially guard dogs.
Quiller's narration of the tradecraft skills he routinely employs is one of the defining elements of the novels. Certain other common factors appear. First, he is almost always reluctant to take on a mission and he regularly tells the reader that all Bureau operatives have an option to refuse. Manipulation to get him to agree to the mission is usually necessary. Second, there is nearly always an explosion somewhere in the novel. Third, at least one car chase can be expected. Fourth, in contrast to the glamorous lifestyles depicted in the James Bond
canon, Quiller's operational locations are almost always unfriendly (Warsaw in winter, the Sahara Desert under the blazing sun etc.) and he is aware that his expenses will be scrutinised minutely.
His creator summed up Quiller as follows:
In this book, Quiller is introduced as a serving British
intelligence officer
in a black organization called "the Bureau," and as a veteran of clandestine service during World War II
. Quiller never states which service he worked in during wartime
, it may in fact have been the Bureau, since we are not told the year in which that organization was founded. it is however mentioned that the original explicit purpose of the Bureau was to prevent any possible resurgence of German militarism, any situation that might lead to something resembling a Fourth Reich
.
Quiller tells of how he parachuted alone into Poland and how, by skillfully impersonating a guard there, he gathered intelligence from inside the Auschwitz concentration camp for a period of three years—possibly by a pre-planned takeover identity theft
from a real guard. Alone and with those he eventually recruited to collaborate with him, Quiller managed to exfiltrate a total of a few hundred prisoners from the camp. Even so, it is abundantly clear that Quiller is still plagued by guilt because he was unable to do more to stop the Final Solution
. Numerous governments offered him medals for his actions in the war, however he refused them all. During and after his wartime service, Quiller became a specialist in understanding Nazi clandestine organizations
and their activities, particularly the so-called "ratlines
" used by Nazis to escape from justice. Most of the book takes place in 1965, by which time Quiller has been seconded by the Bureau to secretly provide large amounts of useful intelligence information to West Germany
's main war crimes investigation agency, the Z Commission. Quiller is tired and wants to return home, but instead the Bureau persuades him to investigate the plans of a dangerous Nazi secret society. He agrees to do so in part because that secret society has just assassinated a friend and colleague whom he had deeply respected, and who may also have been a mentor figure.
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of a fictional spy
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
created by English
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
ist Elleston Trevor
Elleston Trevor
Elleston Trevor was the pseudonym, and eventually legal name, of the British novelist Trevor Dudley-Smith , who also wrote as Adam Hall, Simon Rattray, Howard North, Roger Fitzalan, Mansell Black, Trevor Burgess, Warwick Scott, Caesar Smith and Lesley Stone...
and featured in a series of Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
thrillers written under the pseudonym "Adam Hall".
The series focuses on a solitary, highly capable spy (named for Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch
Arthur Quiller-Couch
Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch was a Cornish writer, who published under the pen name of Q. He is primarily remembered for the monumental Oxford Book Of English Verse 1250–1900 , and for his literary criticism...
). This spy works, usually on his own, for a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
government bureau - referred to as "The Bureau" - that "doesn't exist." Quiller narrates his own adventures, addressing the reader in an informal style with such phrases as "my very good friend." Quiller occupies a literary middle ground between James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
and John le Carré
John le Carré
David John Moore Cornwell , who writes under the name John le Carré, is an author of espionage novels. During the 1950s and the 1960s, Cornwell worked for MI5 and MI6, and began writing novels under the pseudonym "John le Carré"...
's characters. He is a highly skilled driver, pilot, diver, linguist and martial artist. In his choice of self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
methods, he favors a primary specialization in Shotokan karate, like the author. Additionally, Quiller has knowledge of Chin Na
Chin Na
Chin Na or Qinna is a Chinese term describing techniques used in the Chinese martial arts that control or lock an opponent's joints or muscles/tendons so he cannot move, thus neutralizing the opponent's fighting ability...
-- a related, complementary art focused on advanced joint manipulation. He does not carry a firearm "in peacetime." Indeed, this may mean that he has not carried one since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. reasoning that if he were caught, he would be able to explain anything he was carrying except a gun. He also believes that guns give their carriers a dangerously false sense of security, and he dislikes the bang they make. His resistance to interrogation is exceptional and he has managed to keep the "suffix-nine" designation that indicates that he is "reliable under torture". He has a morbid dislike of dogs, especially guard dogs.
Quiller's narration of the tradecraft skills he routinely employs is one of the defining elements of the novels. Certain other common factors appear. First, he is almost always reluctant to take on a mission and he regularly tells the reader that all Bureau operatives have an option to refuse. Manipulation to get him to agree to the mission is usually necessary. Second, there is nearly always an explosion somewhere in the novel. Third, at least one car chase can be expected. Fourth, in contrast to the glamorous lifestyles depicted in the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
canon, Quiller's operational locations are almost always unfriendly (Warsaw in winter, the Sahara Desert under the blazing sun etc.) and he is aware that his expenses will be scrutinised minutely.
His creator summed up Quiller as follows:
About his past there are various rumors: that he was someone in the professional category of lawyer or doctor, denied his license; that he once served a prison term, undeservedly (hence his bitterness, which is never far below the skin); that he is a man on the run who has found a perfect cover in the Bureau. In his forties, he is as fit as an alley cat and his whole makeup is tense, edgy and bitten-eared. Without the imagination to see that life is wide open to any man's need for self-expression, Quiller seems to have to synthesize drama for himself, to invite danger and privation and bitter challenge so that his life can have significance. He needs to live close to the crunch. Like bullfighters and racing drivers, he is a professional neurotic, half in love with death. Obviously antisocial, shy of people and human contact, he is wary of giving anything of himself to others. But, on rare occasions when the pressures of a mission have forced him into a position where he must consider other people — sometimes a deadly opponent — he reveals compassion, surprising himself. His last will and testament is revealing: "Nothing of value, no dependents, next of kin unknown."
The novels
- The Berlin Memorandum aka The Quiller Memorandum (1965)
In this book, Quiller is introduced as a serving British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
intelligence officer
Intelligence officer
An intelligence officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile and/or analyze information which is of use to that organization...
in a black organization called "the Bureau," and as a veteran of clandestine service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Quiller never states which service he worked in during wartime
Wartime
The term wartime could refer to:* Wartime, Saskatchewan, a small community in Saskatchewan, Canada.* Wartime Station, Saskatchewan, a small community in Saskatchewan, Canada.* A formal state of war, as opposed to peacetime...
, it may in fact have been the Bureau, since we are not told the year in which that organization was founded. it is however mentioned that the original explicit purpose of the Bureau was to prevent any possible resurgence of German militarism, any situation that might lead to something resembling a Fourth Reich
Fourth Reich
The Fourth Reich is a term used to describe a theoretical future successor of the Third Reich.-Neo-Nazism:In terms of neo-Nazism, the Fourth Reich is envisioned as featuring Aryan supremacy, anti-Semitism, Lebensraum, aggressive militarism and totalitarianism...
.
Quiller tells of how he parachuted alone into Poland and how, by skillfully impersonating a guard there, he gathered intelligence from inside the Auschwitz concentration camp for a period of three years—possibly by a pre-planned takeover identity theft
Identity theft
Identity theft is a form of stealing another person's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name...
from a real guard. Alone and with those he eventually recruited to collaborate with him, Quiller managed to exfiltrate a total of a few hundred prisoners from the camp. Even so, it is abundantly clear that Quiller is still plagued by guilt because he was unable to do more to stop the Final Solution
Final Solution
The Final Solution was Nazi Germany's plan and execution of the systematic genocide of European Jews during World War II, resulting in the most deadly phase of the Holocaust...
. Numerous governments offered him medals for his actions in the war, however he refused them all. During and after his wartime service, Quiller became a specialist in understanding Nazi clandestine organizations
Die Spinne
Die Spinne, translated as The Spider, was the "leading post-war SS organization led by Otto Skorzeny" , Hitler's commando chief, as well as Nazi intelligence officer Reinhard Gehlen, who was later instrumental in the formation of the post-war German intelligence agency, the BND Die Spinne,...
and their activities, particularly the so-called "ratlines
Ratlines (history)
Ratlines were a system of escape routes for Nazis and other fascists fleeing Europe at the end of World War II. These escape routes mainly led toward havens in South America, particularly Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. Other destinations included the United States and perhaps...
" used by Nazis to escape from justice. Most of the book takes place in 1965, by which time Quiller has been seconded by the Bureau to secretly provide large amounts of useful intelligence information to West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
's main war crimes investigation agency, the Z Commission. Quiller is tired and wants to return home, but instead the Bureau persuades him to investigate the plans of a dangerous Nazi secret society. He agrees to do so in part because that secret society has just assassinated a friend and colleague whom he had deeply respected, and who may also have been a mentor figure.
- The 9th Directive (1966)
- The Striker Portfolio (1968)
- The Warsaw Document (1971)
- The Tango Briefing (1973)
- The Mandarin Cypher (1975)
- The Kobra Manifesto (1976)
- The Sinkiang Executive (1978)
- The Scorpion Signal (1979)
- The Peking Target (1981)
- Quiller/Northlight (1985)
- Quiller's Run (1988)
- Quiller KGB (1989)
- Quiller Barracuda (1990)
- Quiller Bamboo (1991)
- Quiller Solitaire (1992)
- Quiller Meridian (1993)
- Quiller Salamander (1994)
- Quiller Balalaika (1996)
Adaptations
- The Quiller MemorandumThe Quiller MemorandumThe Quiller Memorandum is a film adaptation of the 1965 spy novel The Berlin Memorandum, by Trevor Dudley-Smith under the name "Adam Hall", screenplay by Harold Pinter, directed by Michael Anderson, featuring George Segal, Max von Sydow, Senta Berger and Alec Guinness. The film was shot on...
(19661966 in filmThe year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
) - The first book in the series adapted under its US title and starring George SegalGeorge SegalGeorge Segal is an American film, stage and television actor.-Early life:George Segal, Jr. was born in 1934 Great Neck, Long Island, New York, the son of Fannie Blanche and George Segal, Sr. He was educated at George School, a private Quaker preparatory boarding school near Newtown, Bucks County,...
and Alec GuinnessAlec GuinnessSir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE was an English actor. He was featured in several of the Ealing Comedies, including Kind Hearts and Coronets in which he played eight different characters. He later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai...
. - QuillerQuiller (TV series)Quiller is a British drama television series starring Michael Jayston. The series premièred 29 August 1975 on BBC One.-Cast and characters:*Michael Jayston as Quiller*Moray Watson as Angus Kinloch*Sinéad Cusack as Rosalind...
(1975) - British television series featuring Michael JaystonMichael JaystonMichael Jayston is a Nottingham-born English actor.- Early life :He attended the Becket Grammar School in West Bridgford, then worked briefly as a trainee accountant at the offices of the National Coal Board before obtaining a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to train as an...
.