Title: American Spy
Author: Lauren Wilkinson
First published February 12, 2019
292 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780812998955 (ISBN10: 0812998952)
Rating: 3.51
Overview
What if you had to choose between love and duty? This is the predicament faced by Marie Mitchell, a young African American woman working as an intelligence officer for the FBI during the height of the Cold War.
Her career is stagnating, and she’s offered the chance to join a secret mission to undermine Thomas Sankara, the charismatic and revolutionary president of Burkina Faso. Marie is conflicted, torn between her admiration for Sankara’s work and her sense of duty to her country.
But when she goes undercover to seduce Sankara, she finds herself falling in love with him. As events unfold, Marie must decide whether to betray the man she loves or stay true to her country.
This gripping espionage drama is based on true events and weaves together romance, family drama, and political intrigue. Wilkinson’s powerful voice will transport you to a world of passion, danger, and betrayal that you won’t soon forget.
About the Author
Lauren Wilkinson holds an MFA in fiction and literary translation from Columbia University, where she has also taught writing. She has shared her expertise at the Fashion Institute of Technology, too.
Lauren was honored as a 2013 Center for Fiction Emerging Writer’s Fellow, and she has garnered support from the MacDowell Colony and the Djerassi Resident Artists Program. Born and raised in New York, Lauren currently resides on the Lower East Side.
American Spy, her debut novel, showcases her talent.
Editoral Review
Lauren Wilkinson’s “American Spy” is a debut novel that transcends expectations of the espionage genre. Published in 2019, the book uses a thrilling spy plot to explore themes of identity, race, loyalty, and love under the shadow of the Cold War.
Wilkinson’s writing is both elegant and accessible, with vivid descriptions and a strong voice that immerses the reader in the protagonist’s journey. “American Spy” follows the story of Marie Mitchell, a former FBI agent who is recruited by the CIA to seduce and sabotage Thomas Sankara, the charismatic leader of Burkina Faso, with whom she shares ideological affinities.
Mitchell, the daughter of a black Jamaican woman and a white New Yorker, struggles to find her place in a society where she is both marginalized and scrutinized. As she enters deeper into the world of espionage, she confronts ethical dilemmas, personal risks, and treacherous conspiracies, forcing her to reassess her beliefs and allegiances.
The book’s historical context is a compelling backdrop for the plot, as Wilkinson incorporates real-life events, such as the assassination of Sankara, the rise of Pan-Africanism, and the role of the US in African politics. Yet, “American Spy” transcends a mere retelling of history, as it provides nuanced perspectives on the complex relationships between race, gender, and power on both personal and geopolitical levels.
One of the strengths of the book lies in Wilkinson’s characterization of Marie. She is a relatable, flawed, and multidimensional protagonist, who defies clichs of female spies and black heroines.
Her voice is sharp and self-aware, with a wry sense of humor that balances the tension of the plot. The supporting characters are also well-drawn, each with their own motives and secrets that add to the intrigue.
The pacing of the book is generally good, with some moments of suspense and action that keep the reader engaged. However, there are times when the book feels slow, particularly in the middle sections where the focus is more on character development than plot advancement.
Additionally, some of the twists and turns of the story may seem predictable to readers familiar with the spy genre conventions. Despite these minor drawbacks, “American Spy” is a remarkable achievement that marks Lauren Wilkinson as a rising talent in contemporary fiction.
Her writing is intelligent, compassionate, and insightful, with an urgency that resonates with our current political climate. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, international relations, or simply great storytelling.
I recommend it to both fans of spy novels and literary fiction alike. I give “American Spy” a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
My criteria for the rating include originality, style, characters, plot, pacing, and theme resonance. While the book may not be flawless, it is certainly an impressive debut that sets a high bar for Wilkinson’s future work.
I look forward to seeing where her talent takes her next.
