IE2 Book Report

Book Report　



Desmond Bagley, The Enemy, Oxford; Oxford University Press, 104 pages, 1994.

Summary:
Malcolm Jaggard is an economist. However, his real job is industrial espionage counter-intelligence. He fell in love with Penelope Ashton, an intelligent biologist and they got engaged. One day, her sister, Gillian was thrown acid by someone. After that, her father, George Ashton suddenly disappeared. Therefore, Malcolm began to observe and protect him, and realized that his information was top secret in intelligence. Then, Malcolm went to Sweden where George and his servant, Benson ran away. However, George was killed by Benson. Later on, Malcolm found that George had been previously a Russian scientist who had been told to work on the development of the atomic bomb for Russia, and a man called Lord Cregar who was the head of the department Malcolm worked for was responsible for the death of George, because he told his man, Benson to kill George if he tries to go back to Russians. Cregar just wanted to know George’s secret knowledge of science to keep his power. At last, Malcolm fought against Cregar who was about to extort his love, Penelope Ashton.

Setting: Marlow, a small town in England.

Point of View: This story is told from the third person.

Conflict: Malcolm versus himself.
Although he was doing the job as espionage of George, he didn’t like what he was doing, because George was really kind to him and he didn’t want to become like his bosses who keep important information only to give them power.

Climax: The climax of this story is not happy. When Malcolm was fighting against Cregar in the secret laboratory, the new bacteria was spread, because they broke protective glass box of that by accident. While Penelope and Gillian recovered from the accident, Malcolm and Cregar got cancer. Malcolm went to Ireland with Penelope to live rest of his life happily. Finally, he died leaving quotation of great person: ‘We have met the enemy, and he is us.’

Symbol: The model railway. It was not a toy but a computer, where Ashton had been hiding all his original thinking. It stands for his intelligence and his hope to keep them away from men like Cregar and the Minister who use his thinking only to keep his power.

Irony: All of the people searching George thought that Mayberry who had thrown the acid in the face of Gillian must have something to do with George’s escape. However, he had no connection with George. Actually, he had grudge for Penelope, because he was the strong flock of Christ. He thought that biologists were breaking the laws of God. However, ironically, he mistook her sister for Penelope.

Theme: Theme of this book is that how difficult it is to overcome his own enemy. We have to fight with own enemy to progress to next step.

Evaluation: This story was simple detective story, but it was really interesting. Although I could grasp the story substantially, there were some questions. For example, the writer didn’t make mentions of the details of George’s secret like model railway. However, I think it makes this story more mysterious.
I was made to think deeply by this story. No matter what period it is, there are men like Cregar who thinks only his good. I think these people have been increasing, because there are much more terrible affairs, crimes and scandals than ever. I want many people to read this story and find the solution of this matter.