Single spies

by Alan Bennett

First published 1988

In "Single Spies," Alan Bennett dramatizes the true stories of two British spies who defected to the USSR. In "An Englishman Abroad," Coral Browne, a famous actress, tracks down Guy Burgess, a former MI5 agent, in his Moscow exile. As they converse, the cracks in Burgess' bravado begin to show. In "A Question of Attribution," art historian Anthony Blunt is interrogated about his own ties to the KGB. Forced to reckon with his betrayal, Blunt must decide whether to confess or protect the crown. Both plays offer intimate, human portraits of the spies behind the scandal, exploring the lonely choices that led them to betray their country.

Genres: biography, drama, historical-fiction, 20th-century, espionage, academic

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity

Setting: Moscow, United Kingdom

Period: 20th Century

72 pages · Paperback · Faber and Faber

More by Alan Bennett

• The Uncommon Reader
• The History Boys
• Writing home
• The Clothes They Stood Up In
• The Lady in the Van
• Talking Heads
• The Laying on of Hands
• Single Spies & Talking Heads

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