The Night of Wenceslas
The Night of Wenceslas
Book Brief
Beta313
Novel • Fiction
Prague, Czechoslovakia • 1960s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Lionel Davidson's novel, The Night of Wenceslas, a young British graduate is unexpectedly drawn into a dangerous and complex world of espionage in Cold War-era Czechoslovakia. Tasked with retrieving a secret document, he must navigate deceit and peril while confronting the realities of international intrigue. The story blends suspense with a coming-of-age journey.
Suspenseful
Mysterious
Dark
Gritty
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
1,068 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Night of Wenceslas by Lionel Davidson has been praised for its clever plot and engaging suspense. Readers appreciate its vivid depiction of Cold War Prague and intricate espionage elements. However, some criticize the pacing as uneven, with a slow start leading to a more compelling climax. Overall, it remains a favorite in the spy novel genre.
Who Should Read The Night of Wenceslas?
Fans of The Night of Wenceslas by Lionel Davidson are likely to appreciate suspenseful Cold War espionage thrillers. Ideal for those who enjoy John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold or Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, it captivates readers with its tense narrative and international intrigue.
1,068 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Night of Wenceslas marked the debut of Lionel Davidson's career, earning him the prestigious Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award in 1960.
The novel was adapted into a film titled Hot Enough for June in 1964, featuring Dirk Bogarde in the lead role.
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Lionel Davidson wrote The Night of Wenceslas while working as a boiler attendant at night, capturing the spy-genre mood in post-war Britain.
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313
Novel • Fiction
Prague, Czechoslovakia • 1960s
1996
Adult
18+ years
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