Spy Fiction After the Cold War: Rebalancing Good and Evil

Spy fiction was born amid the rivalries of major European powers in the early 20th century, hit its stride with the World Wars as subject matter, and reached a zenith during the Cold War years. With the passing of the Cold War era, many espionage novelists have looked for new ground to plow. This course examines some of that ground: the territory, conflicts, issues, and themes that writers have been exploring since the demise of the Soviet Union. Comparing two novelists discussed in an earlier course with three new spy masters will illustrate what has emerged and what remains constant in espionage fiction. Anticipated reading includes works by Viet Thanh Ngwyen, Graham Greene, Stella Rimington, John le Carre, and Charles Cumming.