John Banville's novel The Untouchable is a hauntingly beautiful story set in 1930s England during a period of great political and social change in the country. Its protagonist, Victor Maskell, is a spy for the British Secret Service, but unbeknownst to him, was born of a quarter-Jewish heritage. When his true identity is revealed and exposed to all of England, Viktor must confront his past and present in an untouchable manner.
Set in the time of pre-WWII England and told through a series of flashbacks and memories, the story follows Viktor, a highly intelligent and university-educated individual who is recruited by the British Secret Service, who send him to Spain to work against the fascists. After the war, Viktor returns to England and is promoted to the highest level of the organization. But he soon finds out that he is the product of a brief affair between his mother and a quarter-Jewish German businessman. Upon the realization of his true origins, Viktor is shattered, and his loyalty to the British Secret Service is tested, as he is asked to perform some of the most dangerous missions that present a moral quandary between life and death.
The Untouchable is a psychological thriller, depicting the inner conflict between Viktor's heart and logical mind, force him to make difficult decisions about his place in the world. Victor is a complex character, who struggles with guilt, loyalty and patriotism. Despite the danger of his job and the hostility of the organization he works for, Viktor remains a moral character, who tries to reconcile the good and evil of the world. A major theme in the novel is Viktor's strained relationship with his parents, and how his dual national identity affects his feelings towards the British Secret Service and his sense of loyalty to them.
The novel is full of suspense and vividly portrays the atmosphere of a country and a time of great power shifts and political instability. It explores the complexity of human nature and the strength of character as Viktor tries to navigate his way through the moral maze of spying and espionage. The Book also paints a vivid picture of the world’s cultures and shows how the environment can shape a person’s values and identity.
The Untouchableis a powerful, moving novel that speaks to the heart of its readers and leaves the reader with an appreciation for the complexity of human relationships, the power of belief and the strength of a moral character. It is a gripping story beautifully written by one of the great contemporary literary figures.
