Ashenden

When war broke out in 1914, Somerset Maugham was dispatched by the British Secret Service to Switzerland under the guise of completing a play. The stories collected in Ashenden are rooted in Maugham's own experiences as an agent, reflecting the ruthlessness and brutality of espionage, its intrigue and treachery, as well as its absurdity.

Cand a izbucnit razboiul in 1914, Somerset Maugham a fost trimis de Serviciul Secret britanic in Elvetia sub pretextul finalizarii unei piese de teatru. Povestile adunate in Ashenden isi au radacinile in experientele proprii ale lui Maugham ca agent, reflectand nemilosirea si brutalitatea spionajului, intriga si tradarea acestuia, precum si absurditatea sa.