Great fun although a bit predictable. A couple of times I thought “would the character really do that?” But generally an enjoyable read

Set in 1960s London with the backdrop of the cold war. Boyd introduces us to Gabriel Dax who is an acclaimed travel writer but who becomes quite an unconventional spy. He tries to make sense of his missions as his handler, Fiona, doesn't tell him much. He goes to Cadiz to meet a painter and collect a painting and then heads behind the Iron Curtain to Poland. Boyd captures the 1960s perfectly, even down to the 1960s pub. It is not only his mysterious trips that are causing him sleepless nights. As a young boy, his mother died in a house fire and every night, he has a recurring nightmare about it. Boyd writes a seamless tale with some clever and unexpected plot twists. A jewel of a spy thriller.

A troubled soul forever marked by the accidental death of his father when he was very young followed two years later by the catastrophic death of his mother and his own miraculous rescue from their burning home. Twenty years later our chief protagonist lives a quiet uneventful life by the beat of his own drum whilst simultaneously struggling with insomnia and difficult childhood memories. The scene is set for a totally unexpected and complex storyline of intrigue, politics, espionage shrouded in a mystery that defies explanation, expectations or understanding. A three dimensional character that dominates every page with his quiet unassuming character as he weaves his way through the trial and tribulations that nothing could have prepared him for. A writer who delivers each stage of his mystery with words and actions that demand further involvement from the reader which is then rewarded in the way only a superb storyteller can deliver from a hugely rewarding book. A five star read on every level from an author at the top of his game. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed this enormously. It has everything one wants from a William Boyd novel, a main character your heart goes out to, who wanders around the world getting themselves in bother. In this case, Gabriel Drax, London-based travel writer and journalist finds himself as an accidental spy, caught up in a tangle of defections, betrayals, and near misses. It's all highly compelling stuff, which is hard to do justice here without resorting to spoilers. But I'd say if you liked RESTLESS (and frankly, who didn't?) and/or the miraculous ANY HUMAN HEART, then I feel confident in recommending GABRIEL'S MOON.

With many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to see an advance copy.

(spoiler-free review) This novel has all the prospect of a great read - a spy thriller by a top British author. The author uses a classic thriller plot device for a thriller i.e. one in which a regular guy becomes caught up in circumstances beyond his or her control. This author has used this device to great effect in an earlier thriller, ‘Ordinary Thunderstorms’. Here the regular guy is Gabriel Drax (GD), a travel writer and journalist, who becomes embroiled as a courier of secret information for the shadowy Institute of Developmental Studies.

We first meet GD in the Congo where, by chance he’s invited to interview the premier Patrice Lumumba. These interview tapes become crucial items. GC is recruited and groomed (in every sense of the word) by a glamourous older woman, Faith Green from the Institute. His elder brother, Sefton, has also in the past asked him to deliver packages on his research trips around Europe. There is a charismatic diplomat, Kit Caldwell. The time is the early 1960s when a range of political issues are brewing - the Cold War, the Cuban Missile crisis.
The author is writing in the genre of 1960s spy fiction – Len Deighton, Ian Fleming, John le Carre. It should have been a great read. So why wasn’t it?

The problem is that I found just about every plot point unconvincing. So many times my response was ‘Really? Would this happen?’. For example, the whole process by which Faith Green contacts and enlists GD seemed completely implausible. And I couldn’t believe that so many people in this world of espionage and secrets seemed happy to share top-level information with a journalist who hadn’t even signed the Official Secrets Act. Another completely unconvincing turning point occurs towards the end whereby GD deduces the real identity of the assassins named by Patrice Lumumba but does so on the basis of nothing more than his own intuition.

Another major failing in this novel was a terrible secondary plot which concerns GD’s childhood trauma in which his house burned down, killing his mother. GD goes into therapy and there is an exploration of recollection or anamnesis. This seems completely irrelevant to the main plot, neither supporting nor contrasting with it.

But what really fails in this novel is a real lack of jeopardy surrounding GD. Despite his many travels on several different missions, there is little sense that he is under threat apart from a final scene. There is little to demand the reader’s urgent engagement. GD seems to potter about Europe eating many nice meals and drinking plenty of bottles of wine.

I was so disappointed by this novel that I read it a second time in case I’d missed some key concept. Regretfully, I concluded that I’d been right first time and this novel is an extraordinary failure by a writer deemed to be amongst the best of British.

I’m grateful to NetGalley for making available a complimentary copy so that I might offer my honest opinions.

A masterful storyteller, William Boyd maintains his reputation with ‘Gabriel’s Moon’. Gabriel, a travel writer, is inveigled into the world of spies, subterfuge, political machinations. Genuine historical events are enveloped by Boyd’s imagination, marvellous descriptions, and a panoply of interesting and intriguing settings and people. A great read, the finale of which is somewhat open-ended, so I assume Gabriel will reappear in one or more sequels. Excellent.

William Boyd's latest novel, *Gabriel's Moon*, has been getting a lot of love from both critics and readers! It's being described as "a spy story to rival *Restless,*" which many consider to be one of Boyd's best works from 2007. Set in the vibrant 1960s, the story follows Gabriel Dax, a young and intriguing character who gets pulled into the thrilling, high-stakes world of espionage after being recruited by MI6.

Gabriel is a wonderfully complex protagonist, dealing with the emotional fallout of a childhood tragedy. As he dives deeper into the shadowy world of spies, he also faces his own personal struggles with identity and sexuality. This internal journey adds so much depth to his character, turning his adventure into a story of self-discovery amid all the external thrills.

Boyd does a fantastic job of bringing the 1960s to life, transporting readers to the bustling streets of London, Paris, and other European cities. His vivid descriptions create an exciting and tense atmosphere, immersing us in a time filled with political intrigue and the looming presence of the Cold War. The historical details really enhance the authenticity of this captivating narrative.

The plot of *Gabriel's Moon* is a wild ride, full of suspense and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. Boyd explores themes of identity and betrayal, offering insights that will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

While I loved the richly developed characters and the immersive 1960s setting, I did find the ending a bit ambiguous, which might leave some readers with lingering questions. Also, I thought a couple of supporting characters could have been explored a bit more, as their stories seemed a little overshadowed by Gabriel’s journey.

In the end, I can wholeheartedly recommend *Gabriel's Moon* to anyone who enjoys spy novels and historical fiction. Boyd has once again proven his storytelling skills, creating a book that's both a thrilling read and a heartfelt exploration of complex themes. Happy reading!

Gabriel is no angel.
At the starting the novel Gabriel is six years old living with his widowed, depressed Mother, a fire starts and Gabriel thinks he is to blame because of his night light, the house burns down after finding his Mother dead he managed to escape through a window. He is haunted by the memory of this might and has nightmares.
Gabriel and his broth Sefton both go to private schools and later Gabriel lives with his uncle and art dealer. Gabriel becomes a journalist and writes books, he goes to interview president Lamumba, who tells him his life is in danger and gives him the names of people who are plotting against him. Gabriel returns home and learns the president has been assassinated, he has the tapes of the interview and is pressured to give them up.
He becomes involved with MI6 and does some well paid courier work for them, this puts him in danger but it is difficult for him to extricate himself, especially as he is drawn to the woman who gives him assignments. His role gets increasingly difficult and dangerous.
This book is well written, it flows with no words wasted.
Thank you William, NetGalley and Penguin.

Strangely on starting this book I had strong sense of deja vu. Perhaps because of it being another Boyd book using the Congo as one of the settings and his distinctive writing style that I love.
Satisfied that Brazzaville beach had not been renamed I began reading. I should point out that I read this book while recovering from major surgery and that I may have been more under the influence of narcotic analgesics than I realised and certainly was suffering from sleep deprivation. Still I felt that it was perfect book to read in hospital.
Gabriel was orphaned as a child but brought up by an uncle and privately schooled. He is currently working as a travel writer in sixties London and rather drifting in life. He is played by insomnia and dreams of the fire that killed his mother. That theme is explored throughout the book.
His life suddenly changes when he asked to deliver a document to Spain. The leads to dangerous complications and he swears to never again do anything similar. So I almost gave up at 47% through the book when he decides to do the same again for no good reason. But I persevered and Gabriel gets sucked into the world of espionage and East versus the West. Starting off as a dumb carrier I liked the way he gradually finds out more and more about the stakes at play. His own circumstances also mirror to some extent what drives double agents and in Gabriel's case sexual attraction is a major factor. Although strangely one these infatuations does not appear at once but only a long time. But that anomaly seems in keeping with the dreamy nature of the book. The musings of the travel writer often passing the time in foreign settings also adds to this qualty.
The most enjoyable Boyd novel that I have read for a while.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the ARC

Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd
William Boyd’s Gabriel’s Moon is a masterful novel that captivates from the very first page. Boyd’s storytelling prowess shines through in this novel, weaving a narrative that is both compelling and deeply moving.
The plot is intricately crafted, with each twist and turn keeping the reader enthralled. Boyd’s ability to create vivid, multi-dimensional characters is remarkable. Gabriel, the protagonist, is a character that readers will find themselves rooting for, feeling his triumphs and tribulations as if they were their own.
What sets Gabriel’s Moon apart is Boyd’s first-class writing. His prose is elegant and evocative, painting scenes with such clarity that they come alive in the reader’s mind. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, adding depth to the characters and their interactions. Boyd’s descriptive passages are particularly noteworthy, as they immerse the reader in the world he has created, making it feel both familiar and extraordinary.
In conclusion, Gabriel’s Moon is a testament to William Boyd’s exceptional talent as a writer. It is a novel that entertains and resonates on a deeper emotional level. For anyone looking for a well written and engaging read, Gabriel’s Moon is an absolute must.

This is a novel which has provoked mixed feelings from me throughout. I think overall, I admired it more than I enjoyed it and consequently it took me a while to get through.

I was initially drawn in by the power of the opening chapter, retelling Gabriel Dax’s dramatic loss of his mother to a home fire when he was a mere 6 years old. This trauma is one which continues to haunt him throughout his adult life, leaving him (and us) with many questions, and resulting insomnia. It’s a thread which attempts to pull the whole story together, and I think his interviews with the comically ‘unqualified’ psychoanalyst Dr Haas, were some of the most interesting parts of the novel. Without wishing to include spoilers however… I felt something was amiss at the end and I wish his childhood and the fire mystery had been a more extensive, and complete part of the book.

We then meet Gabriel in adulthood, whom is a successful, but far from wealthy, travel writer who unwittingly gets dragged into the spy business. The origin of the ‘reluctant spy’ begins with Gabriel’s visit to the Congo for his travel writing research, where he falls upon an interview with the new prime minister - Lumumba. Unbeknownst to Gabriel, that taped interview starts off a series of events which involve Gabriel in a complex plot of espionage, illusion and murder. Multiple layers of duplicity are slowly revealed as Gabriel travels deeper and deeper into the dangerous intelligence world of MI6.

I didn’t particularly like Gabriel as a character. He was intelligent, witty, but self absorbed and his objectification of women grated on me at times. I found his ‘useful idiot’ description of himself apt and his obsessive fascination with Faith Green to be a little two dimensional and one which became uncomfortably odd. I guess it all added to Gabriel’s character development, which certainly was not linear.

Thanks to NetGalley and for an ARC.

I’ve always enjoyed the way that Boyd takes historical events and builds a fictional story around them. In Sweet Caress, The New Confessions and Any Human Heart he focuses on the life of an individual who lived through, and often personally experienced, many of the great events of the 20th Century. In this novel, he introduces us to Gabriel Dax, a travel writer and journalist who happens to be in Léopoldville, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1960. He’s invited to interview the country’s first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba, courtesy of an old university chum who is a member of his cabinet. It’s a major coup, and he jumps at the opportunity. The interview is taped by Dax, using an old reel-to-reel device, and shortly after the interview, he returns home with the tapes.

The interview is to become something of significance some months later as Lumumba is first forced out of office and then a little later assassinated. He’d alluded to his fears of such an outcome during his interview. Might the tapes include information of some consequence? Dax is perturbed by the news but at this point he’s more preoccupied by minor troubles caused by a girlfriend who’s keen to move in and spoil his bachelor lifestyle and an idea he’s come up with for his next travel book. He’s a pretty laid-back fellow who drinks too much and sleeps little, but he enjoys his freedom; he's not keen to be tied down with a live-in partner on the scene.

Gabriel's sleeping issues stem from constant nightmares of raging fires. He’d escaped a house fire at an early age, a tragedy that claimed the life of his mother. In fact, he’s been persuaded to seek the help of a psychoanalyst who has suggested that he gather as many facts as he can surrounding the fire as this might lead to an unlocking of his memory block of the incident and in turn resolve his insomnia. To further complicate his life, he’s also been persuaded by an attractive older woman, Faith Green, to fit in a brief trip to Spain. His only task will be to purchase a drawing from an artist. He’ll be given precise instructions and rewarded handsomely. Enough, in fact, to finance some trips to places he’s chosen to feature in his next travel book. In this way he’s gradually drawn into the world of cold war spy craft, by the mysteriously alluring Faith, a woman he’s to become somewhat obsessed with.

The author does a great job of describing the places featured in this story, both at home in London and abroad during Gabriel’s various trips. I really felt that I was there with him, experiencing the sights and smells, and utterly aware of the emotions his adventures were invoking in him. This is a real skill that Boyd demonstrates time and again in his writing. Also, although there are plenty of strands to this tale, they are handled with skill to the extent that I never felt that I was lost in a puzzle that I simply couldn’t comprehend or resolve. I didn’t know how they fit together yet, but I always had a clear view of all the pieces.

It’s a somewhat lighter piece than some of Boyd’s earlier novels, but none the worse for that. Dax is an interesting and beguiling character, and I enjoyed my time with him. The story is also wrapped up well with a surprise or two along the way. But Boyd has consciously left a few loose ends, which leave the promise that we’ll no doubt meet up with Gabriel again. I, for one, will certainly be looking forward to that.

Step into the dazzling world of 1960s Europe with in this masterful blend of spy fiction and historical narrative, which kept me captivated. This stylish novel invites readers into the life of Gabriel Dax, a charming travel writer who finds himself at the heart of Cold War espionage.
Boyd's writing is as sharp as the tailored suits his characters wear, weaving a tale full of intrigue and deception. As Gabriel navigates this shadowy world, he encounters Faith Green, his mysterious handler. Their interactions are laced with romantic tension, adding depth to the already gripping storyline.
What makes this book truly shine, is its characters. I found Gabriel both likable and relatable, making his journey through a maze of secrets all the more engaging. The novel's pacing is impeccable, with unexpected twists that keep the reader on their toes.
For those who crave a thrilling and immersive espionage story, "Gabriel's Moon" is an exceptional choice and will not disappoint. It's an adventure through the intoxicating allure of the secret world, filled with love, loss, and the constant pull of danger. Whether you're a fan of spy fiction or historical tales, this book will deliver!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

I received an advanced reading copy of Gabriel's Moon in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin General UK, and the author William Boyd.
I enjoy all of this author's stories without fail and this one was no different. A gripping and enjoyable read with vivid characters and a good story arc.
It did feel as though there were quite a few loose threads upon finishing this one which is my main reason for 4 stars. A solid story nonetheless.

Gabriel Dax (a name that could surely have come out of a James Bond novel) is a drifter who makes his living as a travel writer. It’s an occupation that suits his unwillingness to get tied down and it’s brought him moderate success, enough at least to keep him in Scotch. He’s also been able to combine it with doing small clandestine errands for his elder brother, Sefton, who does something connected with the security services, although Gabriel doesn’t know quite what.

There are three women in Gabriel’s life. The first is his girlfriend, Lorraine, whom he finds sexually exciting but is less keen for their relationship to become a long-term commitment than she is.

The second woman is his therapist, Dr Katrina Haas, whom he consults because of his insomnia and the nightmares about the fire that killed his mother when he was six years old. His memories of that night differ from the official verdict about the cause of the fire – a moon-shaped nightlight in his bedroom (the ‘Gabriel’s moon’ of the book’s title.) Dr Haas convinces him the key to curing his insomnia is to discover the truth of what happened that night which enables the author to introduce a secondary storyline.

The third and, as it turns out, the most influential woman in his life is the mysterious Faith Green who draws Gabriel deeper and deeper into a web of intrigue. She knows just how to play him, starting from their very first encounter. ‘Was it that she understood him better than he understood himself? Maybe.’ Gabriel finds her alluring but it’s only very much later he realises how deep he’s become immersed in a dangerous conspiracy through his attraction to her. ‘Perhaps that was how she managed to make him do her bidding, keeping him wandering in the special labyrinth she’d constructed, baffling and tormenting – and where there were no exits’. The author creates a brilliantly intriguing relationship between Gabriel and Faith. At one point, he describes her as ‘the sorceress, the puppet-mistress of his life’. Later she’s both ‘his tormentor and his solace’.

Gabriel may consider himself a good liar – the essential gift of a good spy – but it turns out he’s an amateur compared with those around him, even people he believed he could trust. And situations in which he considers himself safe are often fraught with hidden dangers.

For lovers of espionage thrillers there’s plenty of spycraft: counter-surveillence techniques, coded messages, safe houses and clandestine meetings. You really get a sense of the Cold War era, a time of global tension epitomised by the Cuban missile crisis. And the various locations to which Gabriel travels, such as pre-unification Germany, are skilfully evoked. I also loved the author gives us an opaque ending and the neat little conceit at the end.

Gabriel’s Moon is an absorbing and assured spy thriller, highly recommended if you’re a fan of the novels of John le Carre.

A great William Boyd novel - a bit of Africa, intended and unintended spies, families and the associated confused emotions as well a loveable lead character.

I very much enjoyed this book. There is a level of humour as the guileless Gabriel is sucked into the undercover world of international spying. There is also sadness as Gabriel faces the tragedy of his mother's death and his relationship with his brother.

Great read.

Gabriel's Moon shows William Boyd has lost none of his skill at writing a hugely enjoyable spy thriller - not edge-of-your-seat stuff, but literate, thoughtful and convincing. Stylistically, this is a satisfying tale of a man becoming a spy by accident, but then finding he has an aptitude for skulduggery that he had not anticipated. Gabriel is a likeable youngish man, in a relationship with a young woman who is not quite of his 'class', but he is haunted by a fire which destroyed his home and killed his mother, when he was a small boy. He has been told it was started by his nightlight, the 'Moon' of the title, and therefore has thought all his life that he was in some way responsible. Through his visits to a counsellor, he comes to believe this might not be the case, and goes searching for enlightenment. At the same time, he becomes embroiled with an enigmatic woman employed by MI6, who is persuasive in getting him to take on spying on her behalf. These two strands work well together, and the denouement is satisfying. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an intelligent, literary thriller.

Gabriel Dax is orphaned at the age of six in a house fire. Since then he is haunted by bad dreams and insomnia. Now an adult, Gabriel is a writer and, on a trip to the recently liberated Congo, he interviews the President - shortly afterwards there is a coup and the President is executed. Gabriel finds himself the unwitting participant in an espionage plot in which he does not know the game but he is learning fast.
What happens when an outstanding writer of very human fiction decides to try his hand at a spy thriller? The answer is this book! The plot is suitably twisty and very rooted in the early 1960s but what sets it apart as more than just a very good thriller is the quality of the writing - it's an all round great read.

This was one of my most enjoyable and easy to read books of the last few months. It was exciting and packed with adventure, twists and turns. I love William Boyd’s writing style which is incredibly immersive and the opportunity it provides for the reader to travel alongside Gabriel Dax to Leopoldville, Southwold, Cadiz and more. I really really hope that this is not the last we will see of Gabriel Dax and that this will be continued in a series … the story just didn’t seem to be 100% over. Gabriel’s relationships with those around him, particularly with Faith, with his brother and with his therapist Katherina Haas, were fascinatingly dysfunctional and his character was complex and layered, with many layers of the onion hopefully yet to be unpacked. Overall, this is a fantastic book which I highly recommend.

An incredible novel, a story that begins with a small bereaved child confused by the terrible events which have orphaned him. As an adult, Gabriel is still struggling to come to terms with what happened on that fateful night as he travels through countries writing books about his experiences. He's asked to do a task for a friend of his Foreign Office brother and he is very gradually drawn into a net of subterfuge and double dealing. This is a great story which kept me on my toes trying to work out what might happen next. Weaving through the 1960s Cold War period, spies and warfare, this was an enthralling read. Gabriel's character is one you warm to, as you follow him through a maze of subterfuge, finding yourself wishing him on to success. A great read, I couldn't put the book down!