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nancysax's review against another edition
2.0
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I started out struggling to read it…then it got a little more interesting in plot and character. But by the end I was tired of all the words and no action. I seem to remember really liking the other leCarre books I've read, but it's been a while.
mcormier's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it but I can see how some would not as the entire story is told through one character. The antagonist of the story only appears in flashbacks.
This reminded me of The Perfect Spy and The Naïve and Sentimental Lover in that the story is highly focused on one character. If you've read either of those and didn't like them then I don't recommend this one; otherwise I do recommend it.
This reminded me of The Perfect Spy and The Naïve and Sentimental Lover in that the story is highly focused on one character. If you've read either of those and didn't like them then I don't recommend this one; otherwise I do recommend it.
vicardave's review against another edition
4.0
Another brilliant Le Carré book; again I struggled to follow the plot, but that's still a symptom of my disordered state of mind in Covid lockdown. Beautiful writing, brilliant characterisation and a deeply moral core are all shot through this book, as they are through most of this author's work.
bombycillacedrorum's review against another edition
3.0
Quite addictive and propulsive for a post-Soviet LeCarre novel, though still a post-Soviet LeCarre novel
fleurione's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
This is my second favourite of JLC read so far, second to The Night Manager. It speaks of obsession and love and partnership, despite being a ‘spy novel’. I loved it.
annmgarcia's review against another edition
3.0
Such an excellent read on the effect a career has on a person. Really good read.
jarrigy's review against another edition
4.5
A stonking return to form after the drab lecturing of The Night Manager. Once he gets into the rhythms of his descriptions of procedural and investigative detail, there’s no conflict Le Carre can’t write about.
ryan_cooke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
smugsid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75