Funeral in Berlin cover art

Funeral in Berlin

Penguin Modern Classics

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Funeral in Berlin

By: Len Deighton
Narrated by: James Lailey
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

1963 Berlin is dark and dangerous. The anonymous hero of The IPCRESS File has been sent to help arrange the defection - in an elaborate mock coffin - of a leading Soviet scientist. But, as he soon discovers, this deception hides an even deadlier truth. One of the first novels written after the construction of the Berlin Wall, Funeral in Berlin revels in the murky, chilling atmosphere of a divided city.

'The classic and gripping spy novel of Cold War Berlin' Guardian

'A ferociously cool fable' The New York Times

© Len Deighton 1964 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Espionage Historical Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense

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Critic reviews

A ferociously cool fable.
A most impressive book in which the tension, more like a chronic ache than a sharp stab of pain, never lets go.
Deighton's fiction has stood the test of time. His habitually acerbic narrative voice still has much to say to contemporary readers ... Now a fresh generation have the chance to sample Deighton's wares as Penguin republishes many of his books. (Vanessa Thorpe)
Like lying back in a hot bath with a large malt whisky - absolute bliss.
Len Deighton's spy novels are so good they make me sad the Cold War is over. (Malcolm Gladwell)
Len Deighton is the Flaubert of the contemporary thriller writers. (Michael Howard)
The self-conscious cool of Deighton's writing has dated in the best way possible ... Stone-cold Cold War classic. (Toby Litt)
All stars
Most relevant
Len Deighton I have always found a struggle to get through when it comes to his books, but the audible version of his books are simply fascinating and James Lailey simply keeps you hooked for the whole time.

The story follows the nameless British Agent (affectionately known as Harry Palmer) as he is sent from London to Berlin to arrange the transfer of a Russian scientist from the east to west.

A excellent espionage thriller that is a hop around Europe as we follow are hero who uncovers more and more of a shady dealings in what is more than just trying to get a scientist to defect.

For anyone who has seen the movie, the book is probably 40-60% accurate (a very simplified version of the actual movie plot is fully there), but I feel Samantha Steele in the movie is much better,

While in the book she plays a big role until about the half way stage, she then just vanishes from the story, and I do find her lines in the story a little grating in places.

The book expands Colonel Stok and he is a much more interesting character in this book when fleshed out, rather than the comic relief he is relegated to in the movie.

There is a whole section set in France that was best left out of the movie, but there is a section set in Prague that would have been a worthy addition (with the introduction to Harvey (Leo) Newbigen, who we are introduced to in Billion Dollar Brain).

All in all a excellent thriller from start to finish and really enjoyable, that is probably the best of the "unnamed hero" collection.

Excellent story that improves the movie

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A classic of the genre that will leave you turning pages from start to finish.

A spy classic

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I really liked all the others in the series, but this one is too slow.

Boring

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The narration by a poor Michael Caine impression distracts you from all other aspects of this story, you keep expectjng "not a lot of people know that" totally against even Caine in the film.

poor impersonation ruins story.

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