A Perfect Spy

Pym narrates close to half of A Perfect Spy. How does his narration affect the story? Can he be considered a reliable narrator?

Pym writes to his son Tom, occasionally breaking from the narration to address Tom directly. What are Pym’s hopes for his son’s future?

How does the postwar decline of Great Britain help shape the characters?

Jack, Rick, and Axel all contribute to Pym’s development. Which of these men has the most influence on Pym’s life?

Pym and Axel spend decades working as double agents. What is their ambition for their arrangement? Can they ever really trust one another?

Pym arranges for Rick’s cabinet of documents to be sent to Devon, though he never looks inside. What does his decision not to look at his father’s documents say about Pym’s growth?

How does the search for Pym become an investigation into his true identity? Which character knows Pym the best?

The American intelligence agents such as Grant Lederer contrast with the British spies. How does this contrast illustrate the problems faced by the British intelligence services?