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Here Lies: Eric Ambler

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Here Lies Eric Ambler, by Eric Ambler

Was Eric Ambler the "greatest thriller writer"? John Buchan, E. PhilipOppenheim, and Ian Fleming may not agree. Ambler's early novels set a high level that were not continued in his later novels. If a successful novel reflects the concerns of its audience, a change in either results in a lesser success. The twelve chapters in this book represent his recollections of his life, and the war. This book lacks a Table of Contents and an Index, like a mystery novel.

Chapter 1 describes his driving accident in Switzerland, and his experiences on a book tour in America. Chapter2 tells about his family background and early life and schooling. Chapter 3 tells of his teen-age years. Eric won a full scholarship to an engineering college (Chapter 4). But he cut classes to attend trials and earn money (p.69). Eric learned to sell unwanted light bulbs by inventing an advantage for its defect (p.89). Chapter 6 tells of his years in advertising before the war.

Chapter 7 tells of his life and beginning career as a writer (pp.120-121). His first novel was "The Dark Frontier". Next "Background to Danger" (p.123) based on information from refugees and other sources. On vacation in Tangier he planned "Epitaph for a Spy" (p.128); a newspaper paid to serialize it. Ambler vacationed at a small resort where he wrote "Cause for Alarm" (Chapter 8). His next book was "The Mask of Dimitrios". When the Hitler-Stalin Pace was announced Ambler and Louise left Paris for England and were married. He wrote a series of short detective stories about a Czech refugee "Dr. Czissar", and began writing "Journey into Fear" (p.155). Ambler went to America to give talks, then returned to England after the Fall of France.

Ambler was called up to the Army (Chapter 9). He would be a driver for a mechanized Army. Next an Officer Cadet for AA gunnery (p.169). Then he was transferred to a unit that made training films: important for teaching new recruits (p.181). Chapter 10 explains how things worked in making films during wartime. Ambler was sent to Italy as the British representative for an American film unit. Chapter 11 tells of the filming in San Pietro. Cameramen had a higher than average casualty rate (p.204). Ambler was recalled to England to make a politically sensitive Army training film (Chapter 12). It was successful (p.218). Ambler tells of other events in the post-war years.

Ambler's first five successful novels made his reputation. His later books were of a lesser quality. Did working on films drain his talent for books? Or was he handicapped by living in the literary world and being rich and famous?