Deviation Posting – Eric Ambler Reprinted

I’m a fan of crime and spy books but usually only those that are heavy on atmosphere rather than lots of technology and fighting. I’ve posted before about the excellent novels of Alan Furst (Alan Furst and Atmosphere) who remains a favourite writer and, like John LeCarré and Graham Greene, full of atmosphere. Apart from Furst I don’t know too many writers in these genres emphasising atmosphere over convuluted plots or, even more annoyingly, long and boring descriptions of pieces of equipment, usually computer or military (or both). Any suggestions welcome of course.

A favourite of mine, who’s great on atmosphere, has recently been reprinted by Penguin Modern Classics (who’ve done some nice new covers) – Eric Ambler. Certainly Furst must be inspired by Ambler – Le Carré and Greene both acknowledged him as a great writer. Like Furst, and often Le Carré and Greene, Ambler’s heroes were invariably ordinary people caught up in something bigger than themselves; something they usually only partially understood. Ambler also differed from the common British tradition (I know Furst isn’t British but he feels more like a European writer than an American to me) of having heroes who have exceptional abilities and never waver whether they be Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Buchan’s Richard Hannay or Fleming’s Bond.

Anyway, there’s an excellent appreciation of Ambler in the Guardian this weekend by Thomas Jones which is well worth a read if you are familiar with Ambler or want further reasons for reading him.