I think 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré is also a great example. It presents a gritty and realistic view of the world of spying. The protagonist is a weary, disillusioned spy, and the story shows the political games, double - crosses, and the toll that the spy life takes on individuals. It doesn't glamorize spying but rather shows it as a dirty and often tragic business.
One of the most realistic spy novels is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carré. It presents a gritty and complex view of the Cold War espionage world. Another is 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', also by le Carré, which delves deep into the inner workings of the British intelligence service. And 'Red Sparrow' by Jason Matthews is quite realistic too, with its detailed portrayal of Russian intelligence operations.
Graham Greene is another author who has written some realistic spy - related works. His novels often explore the moral and psychological aspects of spying. For example, in 'Our Man in Havana', he shows how an ordinary man gets caught up in the world of espionage in a very believable way, with a touch of dark humor and deep character study.
Realistic spy novels usually feature a lot of political intrigue. They are often set against a backdrop of international relations, like the Cold War in many classic spy novels. The characters have to navigate through a web of politics. There is also a sense of secrecy and paranoia. The spies are constantly looking over their shoulders, as in 'Moscow Rules'. And the use of real - world spy techniques, such as surveillance and code - breaking, makes the novels more believable.
For beginners, I'd recommend 'The Day of the Jackal'. It has a straightforward plot focused on a single mission - the assassination attempt. It's very engaging and gives a sense of how a real - life assassin might operate. Then there's 'Red Sparrow'. It has a female protagonist which is interesting, and the story is told in a way that's easy to understand while still being realistic about the spy world. Also, 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' is a classic that, although it has some complex elements, is a great introduction to the world of espionage as it shows how investigations are carried out within the intelligence agencies.
It is difficult to give a definite answer to this question because the definition of the most realistic and realistic novel is also a subjective question. Different people might have different opinions. Some novels may be considered very realistic because they portray plots and characters from the real world. These novels may describe the social, political, and cultural environment in a realistic manner, and portray the protagonist's life experiences and emotional experiences. This type of novel might be considered "realistic" literature. Other novels might be considered very fictional because they portray situations and characters that could not have happened in reality. These novels may describe the world in a fantasy or surreal way and portray the legendary experiences or magical abilities of the protagonist. This type of novel might be regarded as "fantasy" or "science fiction" literature. Therefore, the definition of the most realistic and realistic novel varies from person to person. Some people may think that some novels are very real while others may think that others are very fictional.
Realistic settings are also key. These novels are often set in real - world locations and political situations. They might be based in a particular city during a current political conflict, like how some spy novels are set in the Middle East during the ongoing geopolitical tensions there. This gives the stories a sense of authenticity.
Watchmen by Alan Moore can be considered among the most realistic graphic novels. It presents a gritty, alternate version of the 1980s United States. It delves deep into the psyches of the superheroes, showing their flaws, moral dilemmas, and the consequences of their actions. The detailed world - building and complex characters make it a very realistic and engaging read.
Spy School isn't strictly realistic fiction. It takes inspiration from real-world spy elements but builds a fictional world around them with heightened drama and adventure.
Spy dramas were usually based on fictional stories, but some spy dramas used real historical events or characters as backgrounds to try to restore history more truthfully. These spy dramas were usually called "historical dramas" or "dramas", which were different from those spy dramas that were mainly for entertainment. However, it should be noted that historical dramas and dramas are different from historical documentaries. They usually don't present historical events in a completely accurate way. Therefore, if you are interested in historical events or characters, you are advised to check the official historical information to understand these events more comprehensively and accurately.
Another is 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' also by le Carré. It shows the gritty and often unglamorous side of spying, with a focus on Cold War politics and the toll it takes on the agents. The characters are well - developed and the plot is full of twists that keep you guessing.