“I Spy” – the latest novel from Claire Kendal
I Spy by Claire Kendal – https://t.co/l4aw2tKPBg
— U.S. Citizen Abroad (@USCitizenAbroad) August 25, 2019
Why the book “I Spy” may be of special interest to Brockers and oppressed U.S. citizens the world over
Part of the book #Ispy by @ClaireKendal includes a discussion of the problems of being a "U.S. Person" born and living outside the USA and having one's life run by @citizenshiptax #FATCA, #FBAR, etc – amazing that this is now entering novels! https://t.co/mtmrqaV3kU
— U.S. Citizen Abroad (@USCitizenAbroad) August 25, 2019
Claire Kendal’s newest novel “I Spy” is a great read. Citizens of all countries will enjoy it. But, U.S. citizens are special. Therefore, the book contains a special section which will be best understood by them. The book contains certain insights that could be understood only by those who have lived the oppressiveness of U.S. citizenship. Not only does the book contain a description of the problems, but it even includes a description of a meeting with a “High End Condor”.
Starting on page 309 …
“Albert B. Matheson has the mega-watt smile of a superstar visiting from Mount Olympus. He is in his early forties, like Zac, and every move he makes his made with a snap. “Hey Helen, he says, snapping on a smile as he snaps open his briefcase. “Great to meet you.”
“Great to meet you too. I’m really curious about what the E stands for.”
“Ernest, my grandfather’s name. I do my best to live up to it.” He laughs. “So” he says, leafing through the forms I emailed earlier and his assistant clearly printed.
“Your US citizen father and British mother divorced when you were a baby, and you were born and raised in the UK. My main tip is for you to remain calm and not panic as you explore your next steps.”
Is this the kind of tip you charge $1600 for? Panic about what, Mr. Matheson?
“Call me Albert please. Your discovery of your U.S. citizenship and the tax obligations it brings.”
Seems like somebody in this book is having an OMG Moment. Free advice (not $1600) for those afflicted with this moment may be found on the Issac Brock Society.
Claire Kendal is on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ClaireKendal.
Unlike for many of us, does it have a happy ending?
Sounds like a great Christmas gift for my US citizen kids, who still think I am exaggerating the problems!!
My husband is ordering this for me … mostly because of the condor visit included in this book but it sounds like a good read too. Just curious though … it’s Albert B. Matheson so where does the E for Ernest come from? I’ve so got to know how this ends.
Probably somewhat autobiographical. The author was born in US but educated and lives in UK.
I hope this book becomes a best-seller!
And, for what it’s worth, I have a recurring daydream in which “Americans abroad” finally dump their tea overboard in a mass non-compliance event one of these fine April 15ths (or is it June?). I know it won’t happen, but it’s a lovely thought. 🙂
@USCA
The book is an interesting addition, thanks for posting. It has helped solve my Christmas gift list.
Yes, please admin take down unnecessary posts if you wish, we have discussed the ‘to comply or not to comply’ ad infinitum and most of us here agree it depends on circumstances.
I’ve moved the to-comply-or-not-comply discussion to the Tax thread.
Thanks for this post, USCA. Hadn’t heard of this book before and I’ve reserved a copy at the library (all 6 copies are in use 🙂 )
Let’s not forget that a few years ago Donna-Lane Nelson wrote a novel that incorporates FATCA, as mentioned by Stephen Kish here:
https://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2016/09/25/fatca-harm-finally-makes-it-to-a-novel/
When somebody has read it, can you report back about how much CBT feeds into the plot?
Thanks from me too USCA. This book is on hold for me at my local library as well. Looks like an interesting read. Although not former spies, as in the book, many likely feel like they are living undercover due to FATCA and CBT.
All:
It is a great book and a great read. But, it is not principally about the “US Person” and CBT issue. This is just a side/sub plot which feeds the larger story.
Those who are not U.S. persons might not even really pick on this addition to the book. But, those who are US persons, well that is a different story. So, by all means read the book – it’s great. But, please understand that it is a much bigger story of which the “US person” is a subplot.
@USCA
Your post is clear about there just being a part of the book relating to the issues of US persons. I look forward to reading about the OMG moment along with the rest of it.
been up 5 days, and 12 comments? I think you need a new story
I think what would help expats is a nicely done Netflix or other documentary about the everyday pain regular expats go through with Fatca, transition tax, PFIC etc.
@Cam
Maybe Michael Moore could make a documentary?
I just finished reading “I Spy’. Being US born, the author knows whereof she writes. Anyone not familiar with the USA’s unique and absurd taxation system would not grasp the significance of its impact on the affected and affiliated characters in this book but I sure did. Here’s a quote Brockers will empathize with …
There are marriages out there which have been destroyed after the US person found out about CBT and his/her non US spouse realised the implications for their finances. I know personally of two relationships which ended because of the strain. Another of which I’m aware survived, but only just and only because the US person renounced.
Could someone who has read the book please summarize the role this subplot plays in it?
@ Zla’od
I would only say that if you could rewind time to the OMG point and make the affected character a Canadian/British citizen rather than American/British (or alternately if US CBT did not exist) there would be no story. All the drama that followed would never unfold or the author would have had to use a different catalyst to start her story line. US taxation vexation is woven into the story in a rather subdued manner so many/most readers might not even be all that aware of it.
So, uh, what’s the rest of it about?
@ Zla’od
You will find a few clues here …
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44588412-i-spy
Okay…so the protagonist once applied to be a spy for MI5 or 6, but wasn’t accepted, then went on the lam from an abusive relationship, and now suspects that somebody else is spying on her. Where does all this citizenship stuff fit in? Who’s the condor? Who’s the accidental? Is one of them the protagonist? Perhaps the condor is the abusive s.o.?
@ Zla’od
The citizenship thing is only a thin thread in the plot but, knowing what I know about CBT/FBAR/FATCA, it really appears to be the key to the pandora’s box of events which follow. The main character (Holly/Helen) is not the one with American taint. It is her partner’s missing wife (Jane) who has that problem. She went on the lam because of her impossible US tax situation and eventually ends up being murdered. Holly changes her identity to Helen and moves away to escape her partner (Zac) because she no longer trusts him.
Ah, okay. Thanks!
(scratches head)
@ Zla’od
Yes, it is a bit complicated but the book is actually fairly easy to follow, despite switching from “Then” to “Now”, which the author labels quite helpfully in the chapter titles. I had been reading a series of Clive Cussler books lately so for me it was a nice change to read a mystery with a female protaganist.