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Robert Harris
Knopf Publishers
January 28, 2014 / ISBN 9780385349581
Historical Thriller / Military / Paris 1895
Reviewed
by Elise Cooper
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Robert Harris’
latest book, An Officer And A Spy, is a fictional account
of the Dreyfus Affair. This is a thrilling historical novel
that delves into the world of espionage, conspiracy, and corruption
surrounding the persecution of an army officer for the sole
reason that he was Jewish. Although most people know of this
historical, tragic event, readers will be interested to find
out how Harris has the story unfold. The focus is not so much
on Dreyfus as it is on Colonel Georges Picquart.
The plot begins as Alfred Dreyfus, a Captain in the French Army,
is paraded throughout the streets of Paris after being convicted
of treason, and is imprisoned at the hellhole of Devil’s
Island. Among the witnesses to Dreyfus’ humiliation is
Picquart who had a hand in his conviction by carrying a secret
document that supposedly proved Dreyfus’ guilt. Because
of his loyalty to his superiors during the trial, Picquart is
promoted to Colonel as he heads the counterespionage agency.
While performing his duties, Picquart stumbles upon information
that leads him to change his mind from considering Dreyfus guilty
to now believing in his innocence. He is compelled to question
not only the case against Dreyfus but also his most deeply held
beliefs about his country, and about himself, especially since
Dreyfus was convicted on the basis of secret evidence, in a
closed court, in which neither Dreyfus nor his lawyer was able
to view the evidence.
Harris commented, “I wrote the book from Picquart’s
point of view. That is why in the book; Dreyfus had a ghostly,
haunting presence. Because he was seized, locked up, and shipped
off to Devil’s Island, he was unable to find out anything
for himself. I truly believe there would not have been a Dreyfus
Affair without Picquart. He was the one who did the detective
work and faced the moral dilemma: should he go along with his
comrades for the sake of an institution he so loved, the army,
or did he say to hell with that and tell the truth.”
Realizing that the wrong man was convicted of espionage the
Colonel goes on a quest to find justice. Unfortunately, the
conspirators included a high level of senior officers such as
the Minister of War, the Chief of the General Staff, the former
head of Military Intelligence, and the Commander of the Fourth
Army. A powerful quote in the book explains Picquart’s
dilemma, “So this is what the Army of France has sunk
to. Either they are the greatest fools in Europe or the greatest
villains: for the sake of my country I am not sure which is
worse. But some instinct for self-preservation warns me not
to fight them now.” The author is able to show the suspense
and mystery involved as Picquart is accused of being a co-conspirator,
is tried for treason, and also is imprisoned. The cover-up became
deeper, stranger, and more criminally psychotic.
Harris directly explained, “I put the quote in the book,
‘Really, it is beyond hypocrisy; it is beyond even lying;
it has become a psychosis.’ What is interesting to me
is how people closed ranks and justified to themselves lying
is ok for the supposed greater good. I think this is the biggest
conspiracy cover-up there ever was, even bigger than Watergate.
Picquart finally realized while he was banished to Africa that
he was never going to be allowed back into France and that nothing
was going to happen unless he spoke up. Only then did he decide
to act. When he realized that the Dreyfus family would not find
a breakthrough or that he would never be able to convince his
superiors to right a wrong he decided to act. It was hard for
him because he did not want to bring down the institution he
worked for and loved, the army.”
An Officer And A Spy is a riveting account of the Dreyfus
Affair from the perspective of the person who broke the case
wide open. It is a legal thriller, an espionage story, and a
crime novel all rolled into one. The plot contrasts the different
human characteristics of deceit, intimidation, ruthlessness,
and anti-Semitism. Anyone who wants to read a captivating book
that involves blackmail, espionage, corruption, murder, and
injustice should read this novel |
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