 |
 |
 |
 |
@ |
@Brooklyn
Memoir (19)@
Espionage or spying is the subject about which many writers all over the world have written novels, and some of them make the best seller list.
I loved Robert Ludlum, the king of the espionage fiction. Ludlum was born in New York City and knew the city very well. Therefore, NYC appears most often in his novels. When he writes " the man enters the office building at the corner of 48th street and Madison," a New Yorker can feel the atmosphere of the area; decent part of town with chic boutiques. It is another way of enjoying Ludlum's works.
Other places besides Manhattan, like Brighten Beach, Brooklyn sometimes appear in his novels. Brighten Beach is the hub of the Russian mafia in the U.S., and nicknamed as " little Odessa". This nickname may remind you the masterpiece by Frederick Forsyth, The Odessa File. Yes, that Odessa.
Among European cities, Paris appears most in espionage fiction. I lived in NYC for 3 years and then later on in Paris for 2 1/2 years. I'd better have sought the job at CIA. Among Asian cities, Hong Kong appears most, then comes Beijing and Tokyo. However, Asian cities are still in the minor leagues in this field.
I remember a secretary at Downstate Medical Center, who was always proud of her husband. She was proud of him being able to speak both Russian and Polish. Everyone murmured that her husband must have been a CIA agent. Welcome to The Espionage City.
E-mail:kidot@momo.so-net.ne.jp