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A Most Wanted Man

by: John le Carré

September 23, 2008
I have just finished reading "A Most Wanted Man". It took me a couple of days of after-work reading but I really wish that I had taken it in one long gulp. The pleasure would have been even greater: it is a superbly written story that shrieks out a challenge to injustice and double-dealing and the swaggering, bullying use of power.

In terms of execution, there are sentences and phrases that pull you up short while you register the absolute exactitude of the description of the emotion or experience that Le Carre has put on paper. In terms of plotting it couldn't be better - taught, not a step misplaced, just enough to let the reader see the path without revealing the destination. In terms of finale, although you know early on ... Read More:

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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
I have to disagree with the other reviewers of this book. In fact, I can't even claim to have finished the book - I made it to page 149 before giving up. (Incidentally the only other book I had given up on before this was Catch 22.) It's not that Le Carre's writing is poor; he really has quite a good ear for the sound of his prose. It's just that I could not, despite my most strenuous efforts, keep pace with the plot. There are far too many characters, who after a while all seem to blur into one another and a good deal too many code names and operations. By page 149 I was totally and utterly confused by his Tolstoyesque myriad characters and diverging plot lines. I'm afraid there are much better books out there than this.

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
Although I read this a while ago now I would say it is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a world weary main character and a fantastic plot that twists and turns and keeps you reading on into the night and what an ending. Utterly sad but brilliant for it. And I never knew human beings could be so devious and clever as the British secret service agents are here. A must read

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The Mission Song

by: John le Carré

August 09, 2007
A book about a "whistle-blower" who happens to be an interpreter. I liked the insight given into the world of an interpreter - different from a mere translator - and was captivated by both the beginning and end of the tale. The middle bit, which concerns a conference of African leaders and miscellaneous other folk, was for me a bit laboured. Maybe someone who knows more about African politics would have found this easier.

Average Rating:

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A Most Wanted Man

by: John le Carré

September 23, 2008
I have just finished reading "A Most Wanted Man". It took me a couple of days of after-work reading but I really wish that I had taken it in one long gulp. The pleasure would have been even greater: it is a superbly written story that shrieks out a challenge to injustice and double-dealing and the swaggering, bullying use of power.

In terms of execution, there are sentences and phrases that pull you up short while you register the absolute exactitude of the description of the emotion or experience that Le Carre has put on paper. In terms of plotting it couldn't be better - taught, not a step misplaced, just enough to let the reader see the path without revealing the destination. In terms of finale, although you know early on and in the way of the ... Read More:

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Smiley's People

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
It is, of course, a trilogy, but I wouldn't be inclined to read 'The Honourable Schoolboy', just jump from 'Tinker, tailor...' to 'Smiley's People'. The Honourable Schoolboy is a decent read, but is a little too long and convoluted for my tastes in spy-fiction. On saying that, referring to these books as 'spy fiction' is a bit like saying Graham Greene writes decent thrillers. These books of Le Carre's are elegant, often poetic, as much about the human condition as about the Cold War. Smiley's People is a most satisfying conclusion to the story - the books starts from two seemingly unconnected events and the narrative wonderfully brings things to a conclusion in relative brevity.

I do not actually like George Smiley, retired spy-master. Not the character as written, ... Read More:

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The Honourable Schoolboy

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
Exciting, complex and fast paced novel. Read it again recently, third time over the years and it has worn very well indeed.
Le Carre is the master in my h.o.

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A Perfect Spy

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
I bought this when it first appeared in 1986 (and have been first in line for every Le Carre since then), read it a couple of times, and have dipped into it occasionally over the years. I re-read it last week and was reminded all over again of Le Carre's great gift for description and dialogue. With just a few words, he can give you the voice (and a lot about the character, nationality and background) of the person speaking so exactly that they become instantly familiar. This rich vein runs throughout his writing, but it's particularly noticable when he describes a meeting - as here, when representatives from the Americans and British secret services are discussing the whereabouts of Magnus Pym, the perfect spy of the title.

The story is a kind of autobiography, as Pym sets out to describe ... Read More:

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Call for the Dead

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
This is Le Carre's first novel, and for anyone who loves his George Smiley books this is a most enjoyable introduction to him. In comparison with his later work, this has a slightly amateurish feel to it but that shouldn't spoil the pleasure. It's a good story, full of intelligence, character and with a dash of humour. It was first published in 1961 and therefore it has a certain "period" charm. Telephone numbers have 4 digits, espresso coffee is spoken of as a sophisticated treat, and actresses say "Gosh". It's a thoroughly pleasurable read, and at about 150 pages you can finish the whole thing in an evening.

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Absolute Friends

by: John le Carré

September 21, 2006
Based on the reviews on the back cover of this book, I expected a fast paced and intelligently written spy novel.

The book definitely meets the intellectual expectation, but severely struggles to gain any sort of momentum. I would happily trade some of the in-depth narrative for some quicker plot development.

To paint a better picture - I am not expecting a plot development on every page, and I have to stress the point that it is incredibly slow to develop. Halfway through the book you are left wondering if there was much point to what's already been read, it's almost like reading treacle.

The book does not suit slow readers. In order to make the most of it you need to get through it in large sittings so as to keep the interest flowing. For this reason, and the fact that it does ... Read More: