In the last three chapters of John Le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man, we learn that Brue’s wife is talking about leaving him. Brue contemplates the mess he is in, and arranges written legal assurances that Annabel will not be in trouble for her actions involving Issa. Brue meets Dr. Abdullah, and negotiates a meeting with Issa (wearing a fountain pen fitted with a listening device). Brue thinks about what Lantern told him, “…Just take my word for it, Tommy. Five percent is all you need to know. So tell me who isn’t five percent bad?” (266). Brue feels bad because he’s not an unblemished character himself. Here he is helping the British spy agency entrap a man they say does 95% good ( and only five percent bad).
The meeting between all parties (Brue, Annabel, Issa, and Abdullah) takes place at the bank with many spy agencies monitoring. While electronically transferring Issa’s money to charities, Abdullah does transfer some money to various unknown shipping companies. He says, “Now this one would be very essential for the afflicted of Yemen… If your client is concerned to distribute medical relief throughout the Umma, this is a most efficient means of achieving his objective” (312). Issa did not pick this shipping company (it’s not a charity)s, but goes along with Abdullah choice. The transactions are finished, and the parties leave out the front door of the bank towards a waiting cab. This is when the surprise occurs. Le Carré writes, “But Abdullah had no time to answer, or if he had, Bachmann never heard him. A high-sided white minibus had careered into the forecourt, smashing into Bachmann’s cab, skewing it sideways, starring the side window and crumpling the driver’s door” (318). Five men run out of the van to abduct Abdullah and Issa. It turns out that they are American, and it reflects badly on the American spy agency. It would be better for the U. S. to not abduct the men, and use them to prevent future acts of terrorism. The Germans lose their control of the operation, and we get a taste of spy agencies acting beyond the law like dictators in South American Islands act.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Most Wanted Man V
This week, the main characters in A Most Wanted Man continue to find themselves in difficult situations. Annabel is forced by German intelligence to follow their directions or face a veiled threat that harm will come to Issa. Brue is forced to sign a legal document obligating him to aid the British intelligence service. During this time, Brue learns that Annabel is in trouble. Also, Le Carré reveals more information about the Lipizzaner accounts. Bachman interviews Frau Ellenberger. She is Edward Brue’s secretary at the time the Lipizzaner accounts were created. We learn about Edward Brue and Tom Fridley’s role in these accounts. (Fridley was the man who set up the Lipizzaner accounts). Ellenberger says, “Mr. Fridley had initially represented himself as some kind of British diplomat… An informal diplomat, if there is such a breed, which I doubt… Later he reinvented himself as a financial consultant… He was a charlatan and that was all he ever was… On the night Mr. Edward returned from that first meeting at the embassy, he outlined the entire arrangement to me… Thereafter, whatever refinements or improvements were proposed invariably followed consultations with Mr. Fridley. Whether in a foreign town, or in Vienna, but well away from the bank, or over the telephone to an artfully disguised form…” (210-211). We know that Fridley is in British intelligence and that Karpov and his cronies dealt with British intelligence to use the bank to hold this ill gotten treasure. As Ellenberger continues she cries, “And now he’s [Fridley] back… Doing it all over again to poor Mr. Tommy, who isn’t half the man his father was…. He’s a Beelzebub. Foreman. This time he called himself Foreman” (211). Apparently the British intelligence agency is back in town to manipulate the bank to do its bidding. This brings up an upsetting reoccurrence for Frau Ellenberger, who struggles with this.
In the next chapter, the story jumps back to Annabel. Annabel reluctantly goes along with German intelligence to introduce Issa to the teachings of Dr. Faisal Abdullah, a respected Islamic scholar living in Germany. Annabel figures out Bachman’s plan. She guesses, “I lure Issa. Then I lure Abdullah. Then you destroy Abdullah. That’s what you call saving innocent lives” (226). German Intelligence believes Abdullah is financing terror with the charity funds he raises. The idea is to use Issa’s money to lure Abdullah in, so they can use Abdullah to track the charity money that feeds terrorism. Then the intelligence agencies can understand the terror networks and how they work. In a meeting of intelligence agencies about this operation, Bachman reveals this plan as ‘Operation Felix’. An agent congratulates Bachman on his successful plan. Le Carré writes, “To Bachmann’s ear, the plaudit sounded like an obituary” (254). Le Carré is hinting that Bachman’s plan for Issa is going to fall apart.
In the next chapter, the story jumps back to Annabel. Annabel reluctantly goes along with German intelligence to introduce Issa to the teachings of Dr. Faisal Abdullah, a respected Islamic scholar living in Germany. Annabel figures out Bachman’s plan. She guesses, “I lure Issa. Then I lure Abdullah. Then you destroy Abdullah. That’s what you call saving innocent lives” (226). German Intelligence believes Abdullah is financing terror with the charity funds he raises. The idea is to use Issa’s money to lure Abdullah in, so they can use Abdullah to track the charity money that feeds terrorism. Then the intelligence agencies can understand the terror networks and how they work. In a meeting of intelligence agencies about this operation, Bachman reveals this plan as ‘Operation Felix’. An agent congratulates Bachman on his successful plan. Le Carré writes, “To Bachmann’s ear, the plaudit sounded like an obituary” (254). Le Carré is hinting that Bachman’s plan for Issa is going to fall apart.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A Most Wanted Man IV
This week in A Most Wanted Man, Le Carré continues with the dispute over Issa. Bachman still wants Issa to help the German intelligence find terrorists. Annabel is summoned by a man to answer some questions. The man turns out to be Bachman, and he wants to know all about Issa. Le Carré writes, “What did you do with Issa Karpov after you left the house of Mrs. Leyla Oktay at four o’clock on Saturday morning? So they knew. They knew some, but not all. They knew the outside but not the inside. Or so she must believe. If they knew the inside, Issa would be on the flight to Petersburg by now, like Magomed, waving his manacled fists from the cabin window” (171). This shows Annabel’s unwillingness to accept the truth. She lies through her teeth to save Issa, even though he may be a terrorist. She doesn’t want to know how much Bachman knows because she may be close to failure. I believe that she doesn’t want to see a refugee sent back to torture again. After her confrontation with Bachman, Annabel leaves to visit Issa. She wants to hide Issa, so he won’t be deported. He asks, “To hide me Annabel… Will you be there also?” She replies, “I’ll be visiting. Often. I’ll take you there and I’ll visit you whenever I can” (180). This quote shows Issa’s trust in Annabel. He knows she will help him, and that seems to put all of his confidence in her. I feel like this is similar to Night by Elie Wiesel. In both situations, there are characters being persecuted. I don’t think Issa’s case is as severe as what Wiesel had to go through, but Issa (as an innocent) is still tortured and hurt by other people.
After Annabel leaves Issa, three policewomen intercept her and bring her to an unknown location. There, she discovers that Bachman knows of her lies to him, and that she must help Bachman or she’ll cause many people to go to jail. She compares her situation to a memory she has of her unbreakable horse she owned. Le Carré writes, “When Moritz was delivered, he kicked the groom, kicked a hole in his stall and broke his way into the paddock. But the next morning when Annabel in trepidation went out to him, he strolled towards her, lowered his head for the halter and became her stable forevermore. He’d had a bellyful of opposition and wanted somebody else to take charge of his problems. So was that what she had done now? Chucked in the towel and said, ‘All right damn you, have me,” the way she’d said it to men a couple of times…” (190). This is a turning point in the story. Up until then, Annabel seems like an unbreakable character. She realizes that there is no way to help Issa without helping Bachman. Also, if she doesn’t help Bachman, then more people will be hurt. After she tells Bachman and his assistant everything she knows, the assistant brings Annabel into a bedroom. As the assistant says goodnight to her, she thinks of something a client said to her. She recalls, “If I sleep, I shall return to prison, Annabel” (191). Annabel is also comparing herself to her client throughout this chapter. This is the last thing she remembers before she goes to sleep. Annabel feels like a prisoner because she is being forced to helping Bachman against her will.
After Annabel leaves Issa, three policewomen intercept her and bring her to an unknown location. There, she discovers that Bachman knows of her lies to him, and that she must help Bachman or she’ll cause many people to go to jail. She compares her situation to a memory she has of her unbreakable horse she owned. Le Carré writes, “When Moritz was delivered, he kicked the groom, kicked a hole in his stall and broke his way into the paddock. But the next morning when Annabel in trepidation went out to him, he strolled towards her, lowered his head for the halter and became her stable forevermore. He’d had a bellyful of opposition and wanted somebody else to take charge of his problems. So was that what she had done now? Chucked in the towel and said, ‘All right damn you, have me,” the way she’d said it to men a couple of times…” (190). This is a turning point in the story. Up until then, Annabel seems like an unbreakable character. She realizes that there is no way to help Issa without helping Bachman. Also, if she doesn’t help Bachman, then more people will be hurt. After she tells Bachman and his assistant everything she knows, the assistant brings Annabel into a bedroom. As the assistant says goodnight to her, she thinks of something a client said to her. She recalls, “If I sleep, I shall return to prison, Annabel” (191). Annabel is also comparing herself to her client throughout this chapter. This is the last thing she remembers before she goes to sleep. Annabel feels like a prisoner because she is being forced to helping Bachman against her will.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A Most Wanted Man III
In what I read this week, Le Carré continues the various points of view. I find his way of introducing his character’s backgrounds interesting. He sometimes tells the readers straight out, or leaves it a mystery. In the fifth chapter, the reader learns more of Issa’s background through the German police and the German intelligence. Bachman is talking to his fellow workers about what they want to do with Issa. A fellow worker finds a story connecting Issa to extremists. He says, “In 2003, an investigation was launched by organs of Russian state security into unprovoked armed attacks by militant bandits on law-enforcement officers… Under interrogation, Dombitov confessed that all makes in his cell phone belonged to a militant Salafi group committed to violent acts with the aid of… explosive devices, homemade, low quality, but highly effective” (112). This is obviously dangerous for Issa, because he may have associated with this group. If he is associated, he will be watched more carefully, and he’ll probably be arrested by the police and deported. Annabel realizes that staying at Melik’s house is unsafe for Issa, so she hides Issa at her house. She thinks, “I’m doing this for my client Magomed… I’m doing it for my client Issa. I’m doing it for life over law. I’m doing it for me” (117). When she tells herself this, she is trying to convince herself it’s the right thing to do. She obviously doesn’t want another case like Magomed.
In the last chapter that I read, Brue learns more about the Lipizzaner account through his secretary. He also meets a couple of British intelligence who know his father. Brue thinks, “So you were a British spy, they now tell me. Selling Frères down the river for a British medal. Pity you didn’t feel able to tell me yourself” (151). Brue is wondering about his father’s dealings. What his father does is illegal, and now Brue has to deal with the consequences. The chapter ends with a conversation between Brue and his wife. She asks, “Is it a woman Tommy? I had the impression you’d rather given us up these days” (162). This gives the impression that Brue is becoming enamored with Annabel. This is an interesting complication.
In the last chapter that I read, Brue learns more about the Lipizzaner account through his secretary. He also meets a couple of British intelligence who know his father. Brue thinks, “So you were a British spy, they now tell me. Selling Frères down the river for a British medal. Pity you didn’t feel able to tell me yourself” (151). Brue is wondering about his father’s dealings. What his father does is illegal, and now Brue has to deal with the consequences. The chapter ends with a conversation between Brue and his wife. She asks, “Is it a woman Tommy? I had the impression you’d rather given us up these days” (162). This gives the impression that Brue is becoming enamored with Annabel. This is an interesting complication.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Most Wanted Man II
In the next few chapters, Le Carré introduces different points of view, such as the private banker, a lawyer, the German intelligence, and the local police. What I find interesting is how Le Carré introduces the characters. He doesn’t introduce the characters’ background right away, which tends to add a sense of mystery. In the second chapter, we meet Brue, the banker, and Annabel Richter, the lawyer. Annabel’s client (Issa) needs Brue’s help to access a bank account so he can go to medical school. She tells him, “He’s [Issa] drowning. All you have to do is hold out your hand… He trusts you… All right, he doesn’t trust you. But his father did. And you’re all he’s got” (38). I find it amazing that Issa never met Brue, but Issa’s willing to risk everything to get a hold of this account. At this point in the story, the reader doesn’t know who the client is. Later, you find out that the client is Issa. In the next chapter, the reader meets Bachman, a member of the German domestic intelligence service. The German intelligence still feels disturbed because they didn’t figure out that the hijackers of 9-11 plotted their attack on German soil. Bachman wants to recruit a live source to work as an Islamic terrorist spy. Le Carré writes, “He was chaffing against the dismal failure of Western intelligence services—and the German service most off all—to recruit a single decent live source against the Islamist target” (55). He figures that Issa can be this live source. Bachman seems a little nationalistic. His disappointment in ‘the German service most of all’ suggests that he didn’t think much of the other intelligence services. He obviously thinks highly of Germany.
In the last chapter I read, the story returns to Melik’s house. Issa is finally meeting Brue, to take possession of the money. When Brue starts talking to Issa, Issa’s sad past is revealed. He says, “…Anatoly is the best friend a murderer and a rapist could possibly have, sir” (80). We find out that Issa’s Chechen mother is raped by Issa’s Russian father. She is killed after he is born. Issa hates his father for murdering and raping innocent people. Because of this Issa wants to become a doctor so he can help others. With hesitancy Brue is talked into helping Issa. Annabelle explains, “Last year I had a client called Magomed. He was a twenty-three-year-old Chechen who’d been tortured by the Russians… Magomed didn’t have Issa’s track record. He wasn’t a militant or a suspected Islamist. He wasn’t wanted by Interpol… they dragged him out of his hostel bed and put him on a plane to St. Petersburg…His screams were the last anybody has heard from him.” (89). This is the first instance of Annabel sharing something from her past. She is determined to help Issa and save him from deportation and more torture. I think it’s to help rectify the case she lost the year before. It must be frustrating to be powerless in a situation like this.
In the last chapter I read, the story returns to Melik’s house. Issa is finally meeting Brue, to take possession of the money. When Brue starts talking to Issa, Issa’s sad past is revealed. He says, “…Anatoly is the best friend a murderer and a rapist could possibly have, sir” (80). We find out that Issa’s Chechen mother is raped by Issa’s Russian father. She is killed after he is born. Issa hates his father for murdering and raping innocent people. Because of this Issa wants to become a doctor so he can help others. With hesitancy Brue is talked into helping Issa. Annabelle explains, “Last year I had a client called Magomed. He was a twenty-three-year-old Chechen who’d been tortured by the Russians… Magomed didn’t have Issa’s track record. He wasn’t a militant or a suspected Islamist. He wasn’t wanted by Interpol… they dragged him out of his hostel bed and put him on a plane to St. Petersburg…His screams were the last anybody has heard from him.” (89). This is the first instance of Annabel sharing something from her past. She is determined to help Issa and save him from deportation and more torture. I think it’s to help rectify the case she lost the year before. It must be frustrating to be powerless in a situation like this.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A Most Wanted Man I
The Most Wanted Man is a compelling book by John Le Carré. The first sentence introduces the whole chapter with a mysterious mood. He writes, “A Turkish heavyweight boxing champion sauntering down a Hamburg street with his mother on his arm can scarcely be blamed for failing to notice that he is being shadowed by a skinny boy in a black coat” (1). I found this start interesting because it states what the first chapter is going to be about in one sentence. Also, it reveals something about the main character to the reader. Le Carré continues to have Melik, the main character, to encounter the man three times before they actually talk. The piece of paper says, “I am a Muslim medical student. I am tired and I wish to stay in you house. Issa… When his father died Melik had proudly assumed the role of master of the house and his mother’s protector and, as a further assertion to his authority, done what his father had not succeeded in doing before his death…he had launched himself and his mother on the long, stony road to German citizenship…” (5). Even though Issa didn’t know anything about Melik and his mother, he still asked for help. Melik declined him, which is understandable. This is a time after September 11, and German authorities were looking for terrorists. With association, Melik probably would never become a citizen of Germany. I don’t know why his family left Turkey and came to Germany. It is interesting that Le Carré doesn’t spend the first few pages describing Melik’s family history. We do know some of Issa’s history, since he tells us later in the chapter.
Melik’s mother accepts Issa into their home, even though Melik doesn’t think it’s safe. Understandably, Melik is suspicious of Issa. This suspicion becomes more pronounced when Leyla, Melik’s mother, tells him that Issa has been to jail. Melik asks, “Do you know that for a fact? We’re harboring a jailbird? Do the police know that for a fact? Did he tell you?” (7). Again, Melik sees the danger of associating with Issa. He doesn’t want to be known as a terrorist himself, and he wants to be able to become a German citizen. He’s very suspicious of this unknown man. Even though Melik distrusts Issa, at the end of the chapter, there’s a sense of acceptance. Melik has a change of heart after he sees the torture marks on Issa’s body and is moved to tears. Issa comes down with a fever, and is very sick. Melik tells Leyla to move Issa into his (Melik’s) own bed. He then reflects on the situation. Le Carré writes, “Yet compared with Issa, he was untried. Issa is a man and I am still a boy. I always wanted a brother and here he is delivered to my doorstep, and I reject him. He suffered like a true defender of his beliefs while I courted cheap glory in the boxing ring” (16). Melik starts to realize that Issa is stronger and tougher than he realized. Could Issa have been in jail because he is Chechen? Did he stand up his beliefs? Issa suffers because of his mysterious past but moves towards the future with hope. Melik understands that he can learn something from Issa.
Melik’s mother accepts Issa into their home, even though Melik doesn’t think it’s safe. Understandably, Melik is suspicious of Issa. This suspicion becomes more pronounced when Leyla, Melik’s mother, tells him that Issa has been to jail. Melik asks, “Do you know that for a fact? We’re harboring a jailbird? Do the police know that for a fact? Did he tell you?” (7). Again, Melik sees the danger of associating with Issa. He doesn’t want to be known as a terrorist himself, and he wants to be able to become a German citizen. He’s very suspicious of this unknown man. Even though Melik distrusts Issa, at the end of the chapter, there’s a sense of acceptance. Melik has a change of heart after he sees the torture marks on Issa’s body and is moved to tears. Issa comes down with a fever, and is very sick. Melik tells Leyla to move Issa into his (Melik’s) own bed. He then reflects on the situation. Le Carré writes, “Yet compared with Issa, he was untried. Issa is a man and I am still a boy. I always wanted a brother and here he is delivered to my doorstep, and I reject him. He suffered like a true defender of his beliefs while I courted cheap glory in the boxing ring” (16). Melik starts to realize that Issa is stronger and tougher than he realized. Could Issa have been in jail because he is Chechen? Did he stand up his beliefs? Issa suffers because of his mysterious past but moves towards the future with hope. Melik understands that he can learn something from Issa.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Angel on my Shoulder post 4
This week, Natalie Cole writes about her experiences after going to rehab in Hazelden. Her life became so bad that she had to go to rehab. When she got out, she writes, “Recovery is a lot like life. You’re always growing but never fully grown” (233). I think this is an interesting comparison because it is true. One can not expect to go to one day of rehab and be immediately clean. He or she must slowly learn how to limit the drug or alcohol use. Eventually, he or she can go through a long period without the drug or alcohol. Also, Cole said “And you don’t say you’re “healed” or “cured”, you just say “Today I did not use by the grace of God” (233). This is also interesting because one doesn’t use the words “healed” or “cured”. I don’t think they can, because one may be clean for a week, and use again on the eighth day. What do you call him? If he didn’t use for a week, is he cured? I don’t think so. I guess there isn’t a time limit one must be clean for them to be “healed”.
One of the biggest accomplishments in Natalie Cole’s life, in my opinion, is singing with her father in Unforgettable. This is the first and, I believe, the last time anyone has sung with someone who is dead. For so many years Cole refused to sing her father’s songs. She writes, “The only sour note at this beautiful time was my father’s absence” (272). I think the reason why she did this was she wanted to feel close to him again. She didn’t want to be forever remembered as ‘The daughter of’, but that was long forgotten. She was Natalie Cole, an independent singer. Now the title was forgotten, Natalie wanted to feel close to her father again, the solution, singing one of his songs with him. The fans of Natalie Cole loved it. A review in the newspaper describes it as being the “best album of remakes ever made” (305). I believe this was a win-win situation for Cole. She felt closer to her father, and audiences everywhere loved the album.
One of the biggest accomplishments in Natalie Cole’s life, in my opinion, is singing with her father in Unforgettable. This is the first and, I believe, the last time anyone has sung with someone who is dead. For so many years Cole refused to sing her father’s songs. She writes, “The only sour note at this beautiful time was my father’s absence” (272). I think the reason why she did this was she wanted to feel close to him again. She didn’t want to be forever remembered as ‘The daughter of’, but that was long forgotten. She was Natalie Cole, an independent singer. Now the title was forgotten, Natalie wanted to feel close to her father again, the solution, singing one of his songs with him. The fans of Natalie Cole loved it. A review in the newspaper describes it as being the “best album of remakes ever made” (305). I believe this was a win-win situation for Cole. She felt closer to her father, and audiences everywhere loved the album.
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