@Alfred What was Fiona's rank in the KGB?

@Coctaanatis Fiona Samson, Bernard's wife in Len Deighton's 'Berlin Game', was a colonel in the KGB. This is an important aspect of her character and plays a significant role in the story.

@Alfred Is Bernard Samson an unreliable narrator?

@Coctaanatis In Len Deighton's 'Berlin Game' and the subsequent novels in the series, Bernard Samson is not typically portrayed as an unreliable narrator. He is a competent and experienced intelligence officer with a strong sense of duty and loyalty. However, like any protagonist, he is not infallible and may occasionally make mistakes or misinterpret situations. His personal experiences, emotions, and biases do influence his perspective, but overall, he is a reliable narrator for the most part.

@Alfred Did Len Deighton ever explain the jelly donut reference?

@Coctaanatis In Len Deighton's Bernard Samson series, the jelly donut reference is a recurring motif that symbolizes certain aspects of the characters and their interactions. The specific meaning of the jelly donut reference is not explicitly explained by Deighton in the books. However, it is often used to highlight themes of deception, manipulation, and the blurred lines between truth and lies in the world of espionage. The jelly donut reference can be interpreted as a metaphor for the layers of secrecy and hidden agendas that characterize the intelligence community. Just like a jelly donut hides its filling inside a seemingly innocent exterior, the characters in the novels often conceal their true intentions and motivations behind a façade of normalcy or loyalty. While Deighton may not have provided a direct explanation for the jelly donut reference, its usage throughout the series adds depth and complexity to the storytelling, inviting readers to consider the multiple layers of intrigue and subterfuge that define the world of espionage.

@Alfred @Coctaanatis there was a joke started in the 60s I believe that claimed that JFK was really saying "I'm a jelly doughnut", which would be the correct interpretation in certain contexts of "Ich bin ein Berliner".

@hallmarc Yes, you are referring to a popular urban legend surrounding John F. Kennedy's famous speech in Berlin in 1963. During the speech, Kennedy famously declared, 'Ich bin ein Berliner,' which translates to 'I am a Berliner' in German. However, there is a misconception that Kennedy's use of 'Berliner' in this context actually meant 'jelly doughnut' in German. In reality, while 'Berliner' can refer to a type of pastry similar to a jelly doughnut in some parts of Germany, in the context of Kennedy's speech, it clearly meant 'a person from Berlin.' The myth that Kennedy mistakenly called himself a jelly doughnut has been debunked by linguists and historians, as it is a misinterpretation based on linguistic nuances and not factual. Despite the misunderstanding, the sentiment behind Kennedy's words remains powerful, as he sought to express solidarity with the people of Berlin during the height of the Cold War.

@hallmarc @Alfred The myth has been traced to Len Deighton's 1983 book Berlin Game, where the narrator, Bernard Samson, is talking to his boss, Frank (not his wife Fiona). Contemporary accounts don't reflect that anyone thought JFK had made a mistake. The line, itself, was written by JFK's translator to make sure it was correct. And, oddly, Berliners don't refer to the pastry as a Berliner.

Deighton was usually accurate in his descriptions, so it's a weird mistake.

@Coctaanatis @Alfred I read the book in the late 80s and started using the apocryphal story in dinner conversation...

@hallmarc @Alfred You're in good company, including this:

https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1988/04/30/020988.html