The Spies by Luis Fernando Verissimo
Review by Flavio Luiz Gomes
In “The Spies” by Luiz Fernando Verissimo, an editor receives a manuscript that intrigues him to the point of becoming an obsession. He shares the story with his friends, and little by little the obsession is generalized and a mismatched group of “spies” is formed with the purpose of releasing the manuscript – and its author – from anonymity.
“The Spies” is another classic Verissimo – refined with a kind humor that exposes the human limitations in a generous manner. As in other Verissimo’s books there are intellectuals debating at a bar’s table, but this time they decide to take action. “Intellectuals” and “action” do not often appear in the same sentence, and the author takes advantage this oxymoron in all its amusing potential, but the human side prevails and reality settles ensuring a melancholic ending.
As always, I could not stop reading it until the very last word.