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goebelgreg's review against another edition
4.0
A great story about personal loyalties (or the search for them) verses strategic loyalties that is chunky in the middle and has an ending that is 20% corny. Otherwise a solid part of the Karla Trilogy.
bit101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jazzylemon's review against another edition
5.0
Second book in the exciting Karla trilogy, following Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in which the damage done by the mole that had infiltrated the circus needs to be assessed and Smiley pits his wits against his arch nemesis Karla. thanks a million to NetGalley for the arc/audiobook - the narrator is a dream!
rockerpille's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nevinthompson's review against another edition
4.0
A good read, although shouldn't really be considered part of the Karla Trilogy. And very racist in parts, highlighting the rapacious thuggishness of Britain's ruling elite.
pr1mr053200k's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ag11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cattytrona's review against another edition
4.0
le carré is an incredible stylist. i would read him write about anything, but this is a good subject: thrilling, varied, not something i’ve read much of. the case chases itself across south east asia, and it’s a really interesting window into the withering and replacement of colonial control there, would pair well with the quiet american, which le carré consciously calls back to. slow and dense, but never not exciting too.
paul314's review against another edition
5.0
Call it 4.5 stars on this one. When I first read this as a teenager, I found it confusing and long. Now that I’m older I have more sympathy for Jerry Westerby, in particular his growing sense of displacement and disillusionment.
At this point I’m only deducting a half point for the character of Fawn, who is some sort of absurd caricature.
At this point I’m only deducting a half point for the character of Fawn, who is some sort of absurd caricature.