Spies is a psychological novel

Psychological novel

A psychological novel, also called psychological realism, is a work of prose fiction which places more than the usual amount of emphasis on interior characterization, and on the motives, circumstances, and internal action which springs from, and develops, external action...

 by English author and dramatist Michael Frayn

Michael Frayn

Michael J. Frayn is an English playwright and novelist. He is best known as the author of the farce Noises Off and the dramas Copenhagen and Democracy...

. It is currently studied by A-Level, and some GCSE, literature students in various schools.

Synopsis

An elderly man, Stephen Wheatley, reminisces about his life during the Second World War as he wanders down the now modernised London cul-de-sac that he once called home. Through a series of extended flashbacks we learn about his life as a young boy, when he and close friend Keith Hayward started spying on the latter's mother, convinced that she was an agent of the Nazis. As the story slowly unfolds, the reader learns how this seemingly innocent childhood game subtly exposes a slew of dark secrets that reverberate down the years.

The narrative style therefore takes on the form of a bildungsroman

Bildungsroman

In literary criticism, bildungsroman or coming-of-age story is a literary genre which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood , and in which character change is thus extremely important...

.

Characters

• Stephen Wheatley - A shy boy who finds himself drawn into Keith's games and is a frequent target of school bullies.

• Keith Hayward - A snobbish, domineering child with a worryingly vicious streak, possibly inspired by the cruelty his father bestows upon him whenever he misbehaves. His inherent snobbery has alienated most other children and his parents seem largely ignorant of him, so in a sense he relies on Stephen for companionship, although he frequently condescends to and mistreats him.

• Mrs. Hayward - A mysterious character, implied as being very attractive. She vanishes for various amounts of time throughout the day for no apparent reason, leading her son to believe that she may be an undercover operative. She has a distant relationship with her husband, and seems vaguely scared of him.

• Mr. Hayward - A deeply introverted man, who spends most of his time in his shed working on various mechanical projects. He mostly ignores Keith, and only acknowledges Stephen's existence when it appears that he knows something he shouldn't. He has a peculiar hold on his wife and is subtly conveyed as quite a nasty, mean-spirited individual.

• Barbara Berrill - A school peer of Keith and Stephen, who shows an interest in the latter and occasionally accompanies him on his adventures. She often appears bossy and annoys Stephen, although it appears that he may have a slight crush on her. Barbara serves as a plot device
  Plot device
  A plot device is an object or character in a story whose sole purpose is to advance the plot of the story, or alternatively to overcome some difficulty in the plot....
  
   for revealing important information at certain times during the novel.

• Auntie Dee - Mrs. Hayward's sister, whom she sees every day.

• Uncle Peter - Auntie Dee's husband, a handsome young man currently fighting abroad. He has garnered a reputation as a war hero.

Critical reactions

Spies was received well by the literary community, with many critics praising Frayn for his creative and original approach. Once published, Spies went on to win the 2002 Whitbread Novel

2002 Whitbread Awards

The 2002 Whitbread Book of the Year Awards was a book award ceremony that took place in 2002.-Children's Book:Winner:*Hilary McKay, Saffy's AngelShortlist:*Julie Bertagna, Exodus*Celia Rees, Sorceress*Philip Reeve, Mortal Engines...

of the year for achievement in literary excellence.