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Cover of The Ipcress File by Len Deighton

The Ipcress File

  • 223 pages · about 4 hours
  • First published 1962
  • 43 editions

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1 About this book

Len Deighton's classic first novel, whoseprotagonist is a nameless spy – later christened Harry Palmer and made famous worldwide in the iconic 1960s film starring Michael Caine. The Ipcress File was not only Len Deighton's first novel, it was his first bestseller and the book that broke the mould of thriller writing.

For the working class narrator, an apparently straightforward mission to find a missing biochemist becomes a journey to the heart of a dark and deadly conspiracy. The film of The Ipcress File gave Michael Caine one of his first and still most celebrated starring roles, while the novel itself has become a classic.

Good for readers who want: spy fiction and a mystery.

  • Thrillers
  • Thrillers, espionage
  • Mystery
  • Thrillers, military
  • Science fiction
  • Spy stories
  • Espionage
  • Non-Classifiable

2 About Len Deighton

1929–2026

Leonard Cyril Deighton ( DAY-tən; 18 February 1929 – 15 March 2026) was a British author. His publications included cookery books and works on history, but he was best known for his spy novels. After completing his national service in the Royal Air Force, Deighton attended the Saint Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London; he graduated from the latter in 1955.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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