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kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this via Audible, largely because I was rather intrigued by the idea of the author as the narrator. Which overall was an interesting way to listen to a book, although I will admit, it did take a while to get used to the very dead-pan presentation style.
The book revolves around the world of Britain's SIS, and the Russia Department, concerned it seems mainly these days with the rise and rise of Russian oligarch's, this is less "spy thriller" than Le Carré's earlier works, with a strong emphasis on current day politics, but with little or limited evidence of modern day gadgetry - presumably to give this novel the sort of legs that his earlier, Smiley series attained so effortlessly.
Nat (pronounced more like Nate by Le Carré but spelt this way on the blurb) narrates his own story - a 47 year old veteran of Britain's SIS, he was an agent runner in the past, although these days he's fully expecting the final handshake at any moment. Back in London now, after many years on the move, he's re-establishing himself as husband to the long-suffering Prue, when he also finds himself taking over a department known as "The Haven", a defunct substation of London General, a backwater populated by a rag tag crew, aside from Florence - an agent runner who seems to have considerable potential. Right up until the time that she suddenly resigns and drops from view.
But I've moved forward a bit, Nat isn't just an agent runner, and now odd backwater chief, he's a passionate bandminton player - something he's used in the past as a way of covering up meeting agents. When accosted at his club by Ed, a stranger who seems strangely desperate to beat Nat, a young man that Nat soon finds himself playing on a regular basis and coming to know a little - with his anti-Brexit / Trump, pro-German / EU stances quickly becoming apparent. Meanwhile Prue isn't just Nat's wife, she's a well-respected human rights lawyer, and somebody who is used to be married to someone for whom secrecy is a given. Even though their rebellious and slightly contemptuous daughter was never told what her frequently absent father actually does.
Given that Le Carré's past novels have always had a focus on the Cold War tensions, it was always interesting to see where he'd go when that particular thread unravelled slightly. Spies surplus to requirements, fringe dwellers to the whole new world of EU political influence spying is an intriguing idea, with the Americans and British supposedly working to undermine the EU whilst Brexit is still a theory, as opposed to the current day reality.
This plot gives Le Carré plenty of opportunity for some wonderfully cynical observations about politics, Brexit and the state of the world from a more left-leaning viewpoint (enough I suspect to make those of the opposing political persuasion furious). All of which, when delivered in Le Carré low key, dry, utterly without inflection style of narration, were disarmingly low-key until they aren't.
It's an unusual sort of thriller to be honest, possibly made more so because the narration is so low-key. The implications of what's being explored here are fascinating though, and definitely give the reader (listener) something to think about in terms of the way that politics has been so badly damaged by the sorts of clowns countries seem inclined to vote into highest office lately. Whilst it would be nice to think that the public service remains intact in the face of the buffoonery, everybody has their breaking point and it kind of feels like Nat's not the only one that's reaching his.
Having said that, AGENT RUNNING IN THE FIELD is crying out for a sequel, it ends with a thud as opposed to a crescendo. There's a lot of scope for some more prodding to go on here.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/agent-running-field-john-john-le-carre
The book revolves around the world of Britain's SIS, and the Russia Department, concerned it seems mainly these days with the rise and rise of Russian oligarch's, this is less "spy thriller" than Le Carré's earlier works, with a strong emphasis on current day politics, but with little or limited evidence of modern day gadgetry - presumably to give this novel the sort of legs that his earlier, Smiley series attained so effortlessly.
Nat (pronounced more like Nate by Le Carré but spelt this way on the blurb) narrates his own story - a 47 year old veteran of Britain's SIS, he was an agent runner in the past, although these days he's fully expecting the final handshake at any moment. Back in London now, after many years on the move, he's re-establishing himself as husband to the long-suffering Prue, when he also finds himself taking over a department known as "The Haven", a defunct substation of London General, a backwater populated by a rag tag crew, aside from Florence - an agent runner who seems to have considerable potential. Right up until the time that she suddenly resigns and drops from view.
But I've moved forward a bit, Nat isn't just an agent runner, and now odd backwater chief, he's a passionate bandminton player - something he's used in the past as a way of covering up meeting agents. When accosted at his club by Ed, a stranger who seems strangely desperate to beat Nat, a young man that Nat soon finds himself playing on a regular basis and coming to know a little - with his anti-Brexit / Trump, pro-German / EU stances quickly becoming apparent. Meanwhile Prue isn't just Nat's wife, she's a well-respected human rights lawyer, and somebody who is used to be married to someone for whom secrecy is a given. Even though their rebellious and slightly contemptuous daughter was never told what her frequently absent father actually does.
Given that Le Carré's past novels have always had a focus on the Cold War tensions, it was always interesting to see where he'd go when that particular thread unravelled slightly. Spies surplus to requirements, fringe dwellers to the whole new world of EU political influence spying is an intriguing idea, with the Americans and British supposedly working to undermine the EU whilst Brexit is still a theory, as opposed to the current day reality.
This plot gives Le Carré plenty of opportunity for some wonderfully cynical observations about politics, Brexit and the state of the world from a more left-leaning viewpoint (enough I suspect to make those of the opposing political persuasion furious). All of which, when delivered in Le Carré low key, dry, utterly without inflection style of narration, were disarmingly low-key until they aren't.
It's an unusual sort of thriller to be honest, possibly made more so because the narration is so low-key. The implications of what's being explored here are fascinating though, and definitely give the reader (listener) something to think about in terms of the way that politics has been so badly damaged by the sorts of clowns countries seem inclined to vote into highest office lately. Whilst it would be nice to think that the public service remains intact in the face of the buffoonery, everybody has their breaking point and it kind of feels like Nat's not the only one that's reaching his.
Having said that, AGENT RUNNING IN THE FIELD is crying out for a sequel, it ends with a thud as opposed to a crescendo. There's a lot of scope for some more prodding to go on here.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/agent-running-field-john-john-le-carre
juliebcooper's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 -4 stars. I love le Carré and his novels are always so well-written, with lavish prose and smart humor placed at the perfect moment.... This started off at a much slower pace than I expected but was still enjoyable to read (I wasn’t bored), and then the last 1/2-1/3 of the book was dizzying. I wanted more for the ending and am hoping there’s a sequel but I have a feeling this was a one and done.
austinhahn's review against another edition
5.0
4/5, +1 star for the stellar narration by the author. This won't be the last le Carre that I read.
lokroma's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second reading, in preparation for leading a discussion. I've always been a fan of Le Carre as a storyteller, but I now have an appreciation for what a fine writer he was. Conventional in form, but his attention to detail, and his exploration of the importance of the zeitgeist in the lives of those who are aware is incisive.
It's Brexit, this time, rather than the Cold War, that provides the backdrop for an agent runner who is facing the end of his career, and who finds an unlikely companion in a young man who challenges him at badminton. The two develop a sort of friendship as they move through a series of complex MI6 operations that work to destroy their illusions about the British government and intelligence services.
A clever plot, with lots of twists and turns and surprises, I found the book hard to put down. That an 88 year old author could close his career with such a fine book is remarkable. (There was a posthumous book published last month, but I haven't read it yet.)
It's Brexit, this time, rather than the Cold War, that provides the backdrop for an agent runner who is facing the end of his career, and who finds an unlikely companion in a young man who challenges him at badminton. The two develop a sort of friendship as they move through a series of complex MI6 operations that work to destroy their illusions about the British government and intelligence services.
A clever plot, with lots of twists and turns and surprises, I found the book hard to put down. That an 88 year old author could close his career with such a fine book is remarkable. (There was a posthumous book published last month, but I haven't read it yet.)
rizzfitz's review against another edition
4.0
I'd like to read more le Carré after this. (whoops: apparently I read Silverview last year but don't remember reading it at all? So I guess I liked it?)
I was told that literary writers are told to write a lot before the plot gets going to let the book warm up. This plot is cold for a lot of the beginning, like a lot of the books I end up reading. And just like other books, the pacing eventually becomes cinematic! With great writing! Nearly perfect! And then splat. The author just kind of ran out of write, and ended it. It would be generous to call it a cliffhanger. It was just a hasty wrap up. A no sequel request for a sequel, maybe? In fact I kept going back to re-read because I thought it was me. Then I googled to confirm it wasn't just me. But still am confused. This is a book that I wish I could start 45% of the way in and end 30% later than the plot stopped. But I can't write like this, so let me just shut up.
I was told that literary writers are told to write a lot before the plot gets going to let the book warm up. This plot is cold for a lot of the beginning, like a lot of the books I end up reading. And just like other books, the pacing eventually becomes cinematic! With great writing! Nearly perfect! And then splat. The author just kind of ran out of write, and ended it. It would be generous to call it a cliffhanger. It was just a hasty wrap up. A no sequel request for a sequel, maybe? In fact I kept going back to re-read because I thought it was me. Then I googled to confirm it wasn't just me. But still am confused. This is a book that I wish I could start 45% of the way in and end 30% later than the plot stopped. But I can't write like this, so let me just shut up.
botanicgirl's review against another edition
4.0
It has been quite a while since I've read a Le Carre book and I had forgotten how much I enjoy his style and the fast pace of his stories. This one was no exception...a fast read that drew me into the underworld of spies and politics. Great characters, and intricate story line. The only reason I gave it 4 of 5 stars was the ending. Very abrupt and unsatisfying is all I will say to avoid spoilers.
merlandre's review against another edition
5.0
I often have difficulty following who's who and who's on which side in le Carré novels. I could follow this one despite the many twists and turns of this spy story. Interesting story set in current day England. The fact that badminton plays a factor was a plus for me as I spent many years playing. A good story, kept me engaged.
cgcang's review against another edition
2.0
That's the first le Carré book that I ever read and if I didn't know better, it'd be the last. I've never seen a book move so slow and be so difficult to follow at the same time. The plot was rarely intriguing, I never really cared for any of the characters. I only finished it out of sheer respect.
I want to give The Spy Who Came In from the Cold a chance but I guess it'll be quite some time from now.
I want to give The Spy Who Came In from the Cold a chance but I guess it'll be quite some time from now.