num_pages: 133
description: These two novellas— The Disinformer , a darkly humorous story of international intrigue, and A Nose by Any Other Name , an ironic tale the equal of the best of O. Henry—mark Peter Ustinov’s return to fiction.In The Disinformer , a British spy, just retired and far from content with his new status, decides to play a little game with his former colleagues, just for fun and to keep them on their toes. His “game” involves stirring up some Arab terrorists, both real and concocted, but before long the game has escalated out of his control, and he is caught up in his own too-clever machinations. A Nose by Any Other Name is the story of a girl who loves her parents but resents them for their most striking bequest—her enormous nose. An operation “normalizes” her nose, but ultimately she finds that running away from her heritage is not so easily done. In each of these novellas we see the hand of a master beyond the humor and brilliant language there is always a layer of darkness that shows a remarkable insight into the human psyche.Peter Ustinov’s graceful style and urbane wit often conceal a sharp stiletto ready to strike. He has been called “entertaining,” “sparkling,” “energetic,” “powerful,” “sophisticated,” “witty,” and “worldly-wise”—and he is doubtless all that and more, as these two immensely readable works of fiction amply demonstrate.
language: English
title: The Disinformer
titlecomplete: The Disinformer
genres: Fiction
ratings_count: 33
publisher: Doubleday Canada