I Spy with My Little Eye [Humphry House]

Frustrated with the colonial policing and “spyarchy” that had taken over administration in Bengal, Humphry House wrote I Spy with My Little Eye in 1937. The satirical pamphlet features a fascinating cast of local characters: from Ilsa, a blonde saxophonist at the Continental Hotel, to a shape-shifting Brahmin who morphs into a police inspector. For the first time in over 80 years, this curious work is being reprinted with a new introduction, notes and material from the Humphry House archive. Humphry House (1908-1955) came to India in 1936 and joined Presidency College as Professor of English. He was suspected of being a spy and hounded by the colonial police. Soon after, he left Presidency to join Ripon College. House became a member of the Parichay group and frequented the adda-s where intellectuals, writers and scientists gathered.