A Perfect Spy

As a protagonist, Magnus Pym is somewhat unusual in that the question of his identity is an important part of the narrative in A Perfect Spy. The Magnus Pym that the world knows is always shifting and changing. Pym’s constant evolution begins at a young age; his father Rick is a criminal and a con man who demonstrates how to lie, manipulate, and charm everyone around him by bending the truth. Rick explicitly lies to people about his profession, his wealth, and his intentions, while Pym subtly alters parts of his biography to impress people and endear himself to them. As such, the version of himself that Pym presents to the world is slightly different for each person, depending on which factors Pym believes will most help him in any given moment. The questionable nature of his identity means that he remains hidden for most of the novel. The narrative affords glimpses of the real Pym through his manipulation of his identity. Although he’s clearly a liar, his lies are driven by his vulnerability. After a traumatic childhood in which his mother is sent to a psychiatric hospital, his father is jailed, and he loses people he loves, Pym uses his affinity for lying to hide his vulnerability from the world.