Random Things Tours: Beirut Station - Two Lives of a Spy by Paul Vidich

 

I am enchanted by novels set in the Middle East, but as I may know a thing or two about this region, that I dearly love, I am trying to keep myself on high alert about misinterpretations and sensationalism. After all, there is enough going on in the region on a daily basis, so no need to be creative when writing a book set there; only add some puzzle pieces and put them together. Everyday life itself enfolds as a challenge, without further embelishments.

Being already familiar with Paul Vidich spy novels - I also have a weakness for spy novels set during the Cold War - , I didn´t think twice when embarked on the reading adventure announced by Beirut Station. Two Lives of a Spy. 

In the vein of the classical spy novels, the plot is more focused on creating both ambiance and feature the inner turmoil of the characters, instead of superficially pumping action into the very fast forwarding story. Set in 2006, during the Second Lebanon War, it follows the join (by operative diplomatic reasons, otherwise very much differring in approach and tempo) operation CIA-Mossad aimed at weakening the Hizbollah influence in the region, until it is not too late. 

The Lebanon episode comes for some of the operatives part of a wider regional experience, which includes Iraq as well. The time of the novel is set in the second part of the last Bush administration.

Old spies - more than once enemies - from old, colder times, meet the second generation of spies: Analise, from a family with own connections within the agency, however having her own personal development, fluent in Arabic and versed in new technologies. Also, with a different sense of emergency and danger, which makes her both an asset and a liability, particularly if added to an old pack of spy wolves.

As in the case of Vidich´s previous book, he carefully creates the ambiance, with detailed descriptions immersing the reader completely into the realm of the book.

I definitely enjoyed the book and the cast, but I couldn´t stop thinking that hopefully one day, the Middle East, especially Lebanon, will be able to write for itself a completely different narrative. Less adventurous, nevertheless inhabited by people deserving a normal and risk-free everyday life.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own