Agent Running in the Field

Nat is the protagonist and first-person narrator of Agent Running in the Field and, as a character, grapples with the intersection of his personal and professional identities and values. At the beginning of the novel, Nat is characterized as a seasoned intelligence officer. As the text unfolds, his professional detachment increasingly conflicts with his personal relationships as well as his moral compass.

Nat is a character built from competing elements. His anglicized name (from Anatoly) and his Russian language abilities connect him to a family history of anti-Bolshevik emigres, implying that he inherently understands the feelings surrounding political exile and ideological conflict. Additionally, his age (47), combined with his position in intelligence services, places him at a career crossroads, while his skill at badminton demonstrates both his competitive nature and his ability to maintain precise physical and mental control—traits that serve him well in espionage. As Nat confronts institutional corruption throughout the narrative, his initial status as a loyal intelligence officer is transformed into someone willing to subvert his own institution’s interests. This evolution is particularly notable given his background—the Service initially evaluated him as “glib under pressure” with “latent aggression” (12), traits that suggest emotional distance rather than personal involvement.