Barry Unsworth’s complex study of betrayal, paranoia, deception and fear, delivered by Pascali himself – an altogether untrustworthy narrator.

It is the summer of 1908, and a Greek island off the coast of Asia Minor is one small particle of the vast, decaying Ottoman Empire. On the island, a Levantine informer in the pay of the Ottoman authorities, Pascali, has for 20 years been sending in his reports to Constantinople - reports never acknowledged, never acted upon. Now he fears that the Greeks on the island have discovered what he is, and his days are numbered…

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 1980
Published by
Michael Joseph
Publication date
Barry Unsworth

Barry Unsworth

About the Author

Barry Unsworth was born in London. He published 17 novels, and is best known for his historical fiction.
More about Barry Unsworth

Other nominated books by Barry Unsworth

The Ruby in Her Navel
Morality Play
Sacred Hunger
Prize winner