Gabriel Dax, a young man tormented by memories, dreams every night of his childhood home engulfed in flames. By day, he is a celebrated travel writer, documenting the shifting landscapes of the Cold War era. When allowed to interview a political figure, his ambition entangles him in a web of deceit and betrayal.

As Gabriel reluctantly delves deeper into this shadowy world, he falls under the influence of Faith Green, an enigmatic and ruthless MI6 handler. He becomes her spy, unable to resist her demands. Amid the danger, paranoia, and passion of his new covert life, it is the revelations closer to home that will ultimately transform his story.

Thanks so much to William Boyd and the team at Penguin Books for sending out this review copy!

3.5/5.

This is the first book by the author I read, and, yes, I realise now how much of a gap in my literary exploits this has been. Despite being by Boyd, I couldn't share the feeling that this was among the best John le Carré novels I ever read. One could really mistake this for being a posthumous publication. The book has all the characteristics I typically associate with le Carre - the protagonist, an unremarkable person, find himself drawn into a web of spying, intrigue, and betrayal, as he continues to be manipulated in an increasingly complex and incriminating web of lies and deceit.

I loved the protagonist and his reluctant participation in the "game", while trying to figure out what exactly was making him go on. I also loved the fact that spying and spies were portrayed as flawed humans, who make a lot of mistakes, and struggle to do the right thing. This is perhaps the main thing that made this experience so le Carre like.

The writing was electric - I found the book hard to put down, and not just because it was genuinely thrilling. It was also because the language itself was fascinating and reeled me in. I was hooked from the first page.

Among the best books I read this year. Recommend it to any fan of spy novels (realistic ones - not the Bond ones), and definitely for fans of le Carre. While this is perhaps not on the same level of The Tailor of Panama or Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, but it's almost indistinguishably close.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this book.. it's amazingly well written; fluent, great dialogue, lovely descriptions of awesome travel places to visit, plus a cold war spy thriller all rolled into one. I delighted in the enigmatic ending as well. 1960s Europe, Africa and the UK so eloquently painted from the landscapes and people. to the political machinations. A must read.

William Boyd is an excellent writer. he seems to write smoothly, if that is possible, and i found myself three quarters through this book very quickly.

He tells an engaing tale through his protaginist, a travel writer called Gabriel Dax. It is mainly set in the 1960s and references real events throughout. The prologue is set in the 1930s when the hero is only 6 years old and suffers a tragedy that causes him problems in sleeping many years later. He is on a quest to find out what happened to him age 6, of which he has no memory, but also to find out more about himself as an adult: what he is truly capable of doing and being. He is also travelling through Europe, at a time of the Cold War, to research his latest book on rivers. This leads to much more and when Dax meets the mysterious Faith Green the story takes off. No spoilers.

If you have read a lot of Boyd, and I have, there is a familiarity between Gabriel and other Boyd characters. I guess they have their roots in Boyd himself to some extent: well-travelled, public school educated, and who displays a wealth of knowledge of the arts and global politics. They are attractive beings.

I recommend this novel as an engaging, wellwritten story. I read a proof copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers.

William Boyd has a large back catalogue of novels in varying genres, but 'Gabriel's Moon' combines two of his best tropes - the spy novel, and the bumbling Englishman abroad. Gabriel Dax, the viewpoint character, is a travel writer in the 1960s, who gets drawn into acting as a courier for M16. He becomes obsessed with his handler, the enigmatic Faith Green, but can he really trust her? It's clear that Gabriel is being manipulated from all sides, but to what ends? Meanwhile, he is also trying to uncover the truth about the house fire that left him an orphan at six years old. He's always believed his nightlight - called Gabriel's moon- caused the blaze, but begins to question that narrative.

Gabriel is a likeable enough character although at times you do want to shake some sense into him, and Boyd's writing is always excellent, weaving a very readable story. I enjoyed this more than many of his other recent novels. He conjures up the varied locations very vividly, and the plot is full of incident. I prefer the condensed, plot driven genre to Boyd's 'life story' style. The story keeps you guessing right to the end, and is very exciting in parts, as well as having good touches of humour.

Although the plot is great, Boyd does leave a lot of ends untied and some pretty fundamental questions unanswered. That may be a deliberate choice, to demonstrate the uncertain, mysterious nature of spy work. But it doesn't make for a fully satisfying reading experience. I also found Gabriel inconsistently characterised - sometimes his naivety was ludicrous, and even I could see the truth better than he could. But at others he seemed to act with near paranormal prescience. I didn't really understand why he did some of the things he did, even if they turned out well, and that's not great for a viewpoint character. I don't like spy novels that are so ambiguous and cloaked in mystery that they make me feel like I'm missing something.

Those gripes aside, it really is a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and looked forwards to reading more. I would recommend to fans of general literary fiction and spy fiction, or to those with an interest in the Cold War.

I enjoyed this latest Boyd much more than The Romantic. It felt, to me, more like earlier works which I preferred.

The story centres around Gabriel Dax, a travel writer who, whilst in the Congo, is asked to interview the new Prime Minister and architect of independence, Patrice Lumumba. On his return to England however he finds himself becoming embroiled in the work of a shadowy organisation through contact with the beautiful and mysterious Faith Green. Having done various "errands" previously for his brother Faith persuades Gabriel to do several jobs which leads him into increasingly dangerous situations.

Boyd also provides us with an entertainjng sub-plot dealing with Gabriel's family background and the loss of his mother at the age of 6 for which he has always blamed himself.

Both stories are equally interesting and the writing is excellent. It's a truly engaging book and I looked forward to reading it. I certainly didn't want to rush through it and miss anything. Gabriel is an unlikely hero and the other characters are wonderfully shady.

For me this was a return to the Boyd of Ice Cream Wars and a Good Man in Africa. Highly recommended.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Penguin for the advance review copy.

Another brilliant, interesting and well written adventure by this well respected author. I still consider "Any human heart" as one of my favourite books. This book commences in Oxfordshire in 1936. Gabriel Dax is six years old. He lives with his mother, his father is dead. He cannot sleep without his moon night light. A glass moon globe over a lighted candle. This particular night Gabriel is awoken and realises the house is on fire. He finds his mother dead and manages to escape. The house is destroyed. Was the fire started by his moon globe?
As he reaches adulthood Gabriel wakes every night to flames in his nightmare. He will eventually seek help with these nightmares. Gabriel is a travel writer. He has written several well received books.
In late 1960 he travels to Leopoldville in the Congo. A friend from University is a memeber of the new independent government. He has promised Gabriel an interview with prime minister Patrice Lumumba. He gets on well with Lumumba who tells him that America, UK and Belgium want him murdered. He tapes their conversation and so begins Gabriel's problems.
He has an elder brother Sefton who works in the Foreign Office. Gabriel was brought up by his uncle Aldous. Gabriel has an on/off relationship with Lorraine a waitress at a Wimpy bar, but younger than him and very exotic, wild and fascinating.
Gabriel is contacted by the sultry Faith Green ( who he remembers seeing on the flight back from the Congo and reading one of his books). She is an employee of MI6. She wants to recruit him as a courier. She asks him to go to Cadiz in Spain and purchase a drawing from a struggling artist. That is when the fun begins and Gabriel's life will never be the same again.
Very highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I could squeal with excitement about this book! I love William Boyd's work and this latest book has been on my wishlist ever since I heard about it and so I am thrilled to be able to read an early copy of it.

William's way of writing, his way of storytelling is second to none. I have read hundreds of books in my life, hundreds and hundreds, probably even thousands, from new authors to old authors, across genres. And there are some that I love, some that are brilliant, special books that I constantly recommend. But none come close to the way William depicts human feeling.

It really does start with a bang. The first chapter is set in 1936 and it's heartbreaking frrom the off and bodes well for the rest of the book.

It's not a thrill, it's not a crime, not romance, not fantasy - although it does have elements of all of them - it's very real literary fiction. And that can often mean difficult and a bit dry to read. But somehow he's managed to make it just as addictive as a fast paced thriller novel.

It is intense, I won't like. It's a heavy story, but it never feels like a slog. It's not for the faint of heart, it's not for someone looking for a light read, because that's not what you get. But it's worth it for William's expert writing.

Okay, bear with me on this point I'm trying to make. My most read genres are probably fantasy or thriller. And I'm not saying they're easy to write, obviously they're not. If they were, then everyone would be publishing one. So don't think I'm belittling them at all. I absolutely love them. But I imagine that having books with dragons or elves or murder in would immediately be gripping, just for the excitement of those elements. Whereas a book about "normal" things (although you probably wouldn't call espionage normal), can be difficult to make exciting as there aren't twists and turns or tense crime scenes or fantasy creatures etc. And so I admire William all the more for making the relatively everyday as exciting and gripping as if it was full of romance and battles and crime and fairies.

I've said before how much I love William's writing, but if it was just based on the plot I might have passed this by. Espionage, spies, MI5 etc. just aren't really my thing. But if you're like me, you need to ignore that. Otherwise you will miss out on reading a glorious story and a masterclass on human emotion.

William Boyd does not disappoint with this latest novel as Gabriel is unwillingly drawn into a life of espionage. It is fast paced with some interesting characters, many of whom, even those close to him, are not what they initially appear to be. But rather than Gabriel's clandestine assignments which often puzzle him, it is a trauma in Gabriel's early childhood that continues to haunt him. I was kept engaged and interested throughout.

This book is brilliant! I’m now bereft!
William Boyd is a great author, but I think he has excelled himself with Gabriel’s Moon. It really captured my imagination, it was intriguing and interesting.
My first impression of Gabriel was that he was a gullible travel writer, however, he soon became much more after he unwittingly became a spy for MI6.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

Gabriel's Moon is a brilliant, complex book about obsession, trust, lies, manipulation and secrets. The opening with 6 year old Gabriel escaping a house fire that kills his mother, destroys his home and separates him from his brother is a powerfully unsettling start. Although this is a spy novel set in the 1960s cold war era there are no clichés and the sense of period detail is immaculate and immersive. We travel with Gabriel to Brazzaville, Franco's Cadiz, Soviet era Warsaw and an escape through the Eastern bloc. There is a lot of misdirection which creates a quietly sustained menace and the characters are fascinating. There are quiet details, such as the enigmatic Faith Green who wears the same lavender scent as his mother. William Boyd's precise and beautiful use of language is a joy: Gabriel's uncle and guardian is economically described as wearing 'a nacreous silk suit and a pale blue shirt with a lemony tie.' I wanted to reread this book the moment I had finished because I know I will get even more out of this book if I do. Such skilled writing is rare and beautiful.

Superb 1960s espionage novel, melded with a the slow unpicking of the long term psychological effects of losing a mother in a house fire at age four. Gabriel, a travel writer, gets embroiled in a complex web of international relations, alternating with his therapy sessions. Beautifully written with a real sense of the time period, you can almost smell the cigarettes and whisky. Excellent read.

I've adored Boyd's writing since I read Restless a few years ago. Gabriel's Moon did not disappoint - masterfully written and full of suspense, the perfect Autumn read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

William Boyd’s “Gabriel’s Moon” is a masterpiece of espionage fiction that blends the thrilling world of Cold War intrigue with a touch of the delightfully absurd. Our protagonist, Gabriel Dax, is a travel writer haunted by a mysterious past. He’s drawn into the shadowy realm of international espionage through a seemingly simple errand, only to find himself entangled in a web of duplicity that stretches across continents.

Boyd’s genius lies in his ability to weave moments of genuine hilarity into the heart of a tense spy narrative. One minute you’re on the edge of your seat, heart pounding as Gabriel navigates a dangerous situation, the next you’re chuckling at the absurdity of it all. This unexpected blend keeps the story fresh and constantly engaging.

Fans of Le Carre will find themselves right at home with the intricate plot and the constant sense of paranoia that permeates Gabriel’s world. Boyd captures the atmosphere of the Cold War, transporting you to the vibrant streets of London, the sun-drenched squares of Cadiz, and the frosty Warsaw twilight.

But “Gabriel’s Moon” is more than just a spy story. It’s a meditation on identity, loyalty, and the lingering shadows of the past. As Gabriel delves deeper into the mission, he uncovers secrets that force him to confront his own history and redefine his place in the world.

If you’re looking for a captivating read that will keep you guessing until the very end, then “Gabriel’s Moon” is a must-read. It’s a tale of espionage with a touch of the unexpected, William Boyd’s at his best.

A 'hidden' spy novel.
A terrible fire leaves two children as orphans. This is the story of how they survived and how they lived their lives.
Such an awful event is not going to leave the children unscathed.
The stories are intertwined but there is little chopping and changing, thus making the book very readable.
There are a number of locations throughout the book, as you would expect with one of the main characters being a travel writer.
The espionage content is well handled, in what is probably a pretty accurate manner, but is definitely entertaining.
The book could be read in one sitting, but I didn't manage it.
A very good book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Successful travel writer, Gabriel Dax, finds himself an unwitting pawn in the hands of MI6 agent, Faith Green. Set in the early 1960s the story follows Gabriel's increasing involvement in the murky world of agents and double agents. As the story progresses, so does Gabriel' self-awareness and confidence. Paralleling the main story is Gabriel's need to solve his insomnia which is linked to the death of his mother in a house fire when he was a child.
This is a fast paced, easy to read book with a very engaging main character. A superb plot that twists and turns and keeps you guessing right up to the final sentence. Highly recommended.

Having read most of William Boyd's book I am interested in the way his last two books both have a male protagonist and the way their biews reflect the time in which they are set. The way the author plays with ideas of masculinity and the context in which his hero or, in this case should it be an antihero, is fascinating.

He writes like a dream. The beginning really ratches up the tension and is brought to a clever resolution right at the end of the book.

In this novel you follow Gabriel (who is possibly an unreliable witness and a narcissist) in a journey of betrayal, counter betrayal and double cross. Even the thinly fictionalised newspaper knows it is doublecrossing its readers.

His sense of place and time is wonderful and created a sense of emotional emapthy with the 60's that I had not had before. The Cuban Missile Crisis, London, Warsaw, class, attitudes to women and a great deal of lighting of cigarettes.

There is a mouse in the novel who leads a charmed life in that Gabriel catches it and then lets it go. Unlike many of the people in the novel who are trapped in the glue of deception.

Personally I thought ab out three quarters of the way through where is this going to go.? Then all of a sudden ther ewas another shift in pace and I was re-engrossed.

I love cold War spy thrillers so this to me was an excellent read - a real pleasure turner. William Boyd is one of my favourite authors and this didn't disappoint.

William Boyd’s writing is extraordinary in that his subjects, plots, times and settings cover such a huge range, yet every book he writes is beautifully crafted and characterised, with a strong sense of place and time. Gabriel’s Moon centres on Gabriel Dax, a reasonably successful travel writer with a great tragedy in his past. His home was destroyed by fire when he was six, and his mother also perished in the inferno. Investigations at the time gave Gabriel’s night light, his ‘moon’ as the cause of the fire, leaving him with unbearable guilt as he grew older. Reasonably happy in his life and travels, Gabriel is asked to carry out an errand by his brother, which is the unwitting start of his career in espionage and leading to all sorts of dramas, murders, and sticky situations - along with an increasing passion for his ‘handler’. William Boyd writes with flow, wonderful characterisation and use of language, and is a master of drawing the reader into the story

Gabriel’s Moon is a well written and engaging read although it is a somewhat routine Cold War spy story with all the narrative elements one expects from the genre. Not my favourite William Boyd novel.