Venetian Blind (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
Venetian Blind is a suspense novel published in 1959 by British writer William Haggard. The book was released in the United Kingdom through Cassell and in the United States by Ives Washburn. This work represents Haggard's second installment in a series of 21 novels featuring Colonel Charles Russell, who leads the secretive Security Executive, a government counter-intelligence organization modeled after MI5. Set against the backdrop of Whitehall’s power structures, the story intertwines thrilling suspense with an intricate depiction of British elite figures—including politicians, financiers, scientists, and industrial magnates—making it as much an analysis of character as a spy narrative.
Plot
Rather than serving as the central figure driving the action, Colonel Russell functions more as a stabilizing presence whose strategic operations underpin the storyline. Haggard himself described his approach:
My stories are primarily suspense narratives rooted in international political contexts. Colonel Charles Russell of the Security Executive, though not technically the main protagonist, maintains narrative cohesion through his operational role, while other characters carry out the active drama.
Following his debut novel Slow Burner, which focused on a fictional nuclear energy source, Venetian Blind revolves around "negative gravity," a concept drawn from science fiction. The plot centers on Gervas Leat, an affluent English industrialist who owns a Venetian residence and has a step-daughter. Leat develops negative gravity technology within two prosperous factories. Colonel Russell uncovers through Professor Wasserman—a wealthy physicist and industrialist connected to previous incidents—that sensitive information regarding this secret project has been leaking to a German competitor for several years.
Operating chiefly behind the scenes to unmask the mole, Russell is aided by Richard Wakeley, a promising young lawyer considered as his potential successor. The narrative delves into intricate relationships involving Wakeley, Leat, Leat’s step-daughter, Wasserman (who frequently caricatures himself), and Leat’s disgruntled assistant whose wife has been among Leat’s romantic conquests. The story unfolds across settings such as aristocratic dinners, private clubs, government offices, and locations ranging from rural England to Venice. Throughout the novel, only Colonel Russell remains consistently direct and clear-cut; similar to Slow Burner, he acts more as an observer than an active participant during the story’s violent climax.
Reception
Critical responses were varied:
Christopher Pym of The Spectator described it as a less satisfying follow-up compared to Haggard’s compelling debut with Slow Burner.
The New York Times remarked that in VENETIAN BLIND (Washburn, $2.95), William Haggard presents a larger-than-life engineer-entrepreneur engaged in Britain’s pursuit of negative gravity. The Security Executive faces significant challenges amid international intrigue and personal agendas, resulting in a subtle yet intelligent thriller.
Anthony Cronin writing for Times Literary Supplement criticized the novel for its complacent portrayal of high-level security officials and wealthy industrialists, which alienates readers. While the plot is ingenious, it borders on implausible.
According to Kirkus Reviews, the investigation into security breaches draws barrister Wakeley into official circles spanning England to Venice, exposing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and personal complications.