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riverwise's review against another edition
3.0
Mostly short anecdotes. Entertaining, but inessential.
fletchorama's review against another edition
4.0
A few of the stories didn't quite work for me, sometimes because I lacked knowledge/context, others possibly because of the Official Secrets Act. But Le Carre is a brilliant writer, and I had no idea how much of himself he put into his work (reminds of Samuel Delany in that respect), nor the lengths to which he'd go for research.
robertrivasplata's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of many of John Le Carre's dinnertime anecdotes, and probably a couple of stories about his dad he tries to avoid talking about. The Pigeon Tunnel is a fun read, and pretty quick too.
milocross's review against another edition
2.0
This was apparently le Carré's riposte to the excellent Sisman bio by [a:Adam Sisman|81984|Adam Sisman|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]. It turns out not to be a memoir in any complete sense, but more a 'greatest hits' rehash of le Carré's favourite anecdotes and previously-published essays. Many are about the famous people or 'exciting' research missions that fed his wonderful fiction of which I am a sincere fan.
But as often is the case, the fiction is better than these 'Pass the port, old man' versions the author (real name David Cornwell) has probably dined out on for decades. If there are any self-deprecatory or revealing paragraphs in this version of the author's life, they fall—for the most part—into the humble-brag category. Watch him deftly avoid any indepth discussion of his personal life at all, with the exception of his parents, of course—except to mention that a son accompanied him on a trip or wife Jane answered the phone. There are no three-dimensional wives, partners, lovers, siblings, children to speak of. He certainly explores the headliners Alec Guiness or Richard Burton, but hardly-glanced-at agents, publishers, etc, come and go like wisps that waft him upwards, with a few entertaining setbacks, to his well-earned glory among the ranks of stars.
His subliminal message starts to disturb the reader. He gives nobody much credit but himself, with a kind of hollow self-loathing chuckle and it's sad to read he invited Rupert Murdoch to a lunch and then whines that Murdoch left him at the Savoy holding the tab. It feels 'small' for someone who so dearly wants to be seen as 'large.' There are other petty revenges taken between the lines. It becomes obvious that this is an aging man who has to have the last word on still-rankling experiences which he packages as 'telling' on his victim.
The Sisman bio told le Carré's story in a conventional way and explored the now-familiar scars and social snubs that make up part of le Carré's emotional baggage that will be evident to any careful reader of his fiction. There is here, too, the excruciating combing-over of the sins of his conman father who criminally charmed and then robbed everyone he met. Move on, David, is my comment, or go back to a shrink. The fact that the author can't ditch this boogeyman or stop milking the dreadful creature for more saleable copy is now sad.
I write this knowing it may disappoint his fiction fans, of which I am one. I can listen to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy almost as a beloved lullaby to see me off to sleep—I know it by heart. The author's gift to all of us for creating his own 'secret world' has been enough to a legion of readers. I think he could have left this rehash in the hard drive.
But as often is the case, the fiction is better than these 'Pass the port, old man' versions the author (real name David Cornwell) has probably dined out on for decades. If there are any self-deprecatory or revealing paragraphs in this version of the author's life, they fall—for the most part—into the humble-brag category. Watch him deftly avoid any indepth discussion of his personal life at all, with the exception of his parents, of course—except to mention that a son accompanied him on a trip or wife Jane answered the phone. There are no three-dimensional wives, partners, lovers, siblings, children to speak of. He certainly explores the headliners Alec Guiness or Richard Burton, but hardly-glanced-at agents, publishers, etc, come and go like wisps that waft him upwards, with a few entertaining setbacks, to his well-earned glory among the ranks of stars.
His subliminal message starts to disturb the reader. He gives nobody much credit but himself, with a kind of hollow self-loathing chuckle and it's sad to read he invited Rupert Murdoch to a lunch and then whines that Murdoch left him at the Savoy holding the tab. It feels 'small' for someone who so dearly wants to be seen as 'large.' There are other petty revenges taken between the lines. It becomes obvious that this is an aging man who has to have the last word on still-rankling experiences which he packages as 'telling' on his victim.
The Sisman bio told le Carré's story in a conventional way and explored the now-familiar scars and social snubs that make up part of le Carré's emotional baggage that will be evident to any careful reader of his fiction. There is here, too, the excruciating combing-over of the sins of his conman father who criminally charmed and then robbed everyone he met. Move on, David, is my comment, or go back to a shrink. The fact that the author can't ditch this boogeyman or stop milking the dreadful creature for more saleable copy is now sad.
I write this knowing it may disappoint his fiction fans, of which I am one. I can listen to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy almost as a beloved lullaby to see me off to sleep—I know it by heart. The author's gift to all of us for creating his own 'secret world' has been enough to a legion of readers. I think he could have left this rehash in the hard drive.
omnibozo22's review against another edition
5.0
Interesting background on how events in Cornwell's life ended up, enhanced, in his books. Mainly interesting for comparing his descriptions of mostly low key daily encounters and how he amped up their meanings for use in his books.
mattyvr808's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect holiday read. Chapters range from short remembrances to longer (and fascinating) encounters documenting time as a spy, writer, and traveller.
jimgosailing's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audio book, excellently read by David Cornwell himself; so sorry he has passed away.
I didn’t realize that I had encountered some of his works along the way. Yes, I had read the Karla Trilogy (and loved it); at too young an age had seen Richard Burton in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold; had recently watched the BBC production of Smiley’s People (and who better than Alec Guinness?); but didn’t know when I watched the Night Manager that that was le Carre; or while watching A Most Wanted Man - catching it because Phillip Seymour Hoffman was in it - thinking part way through that this is like Le Carre, and looking at IMBD to find out it was.
So this book is his recollection of pieces of events that became the basis of his tales. But he does advise upfront that, well, he is a liar thus setting the stage as an unreliable narrator. But so intriguing to hear from him the threads that he wove into such readable works.
(Libby)
I didn’t realize that I had encountered some of his works along the way. Yes, I had read the Karla Trilogy (and loved it); at too young an age had seen Richard Burton in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold; had recently watched the BBC production of Smiley’s People (and who better than Alec Guinness?); but didn’t know when I watched the Night Manager that that was le Carre; or while watching A Most Wanted Man - catching it because Phillip Seymour Hoffman was in it - thinking part way through that this is like Le Carre, and looking at IMBD to find out it was.
So this book is his recollection of pieces of events that became the basis of his tales. But he does advise upfront that, well, he is a liar thus setting the stage as an unreliable narrator. But so intriguing to hear from him the threads that he wove into such readable works.
(Libby)
left_coast_justin's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty much what I expected...a very well-written book about people and what motivates them. Three stars is not intended to suggest that I didn't enjoy this book -- I certainly did -- but it will not stand among his best works, simply given the limitations of telling what he cheerfully admits is half-truth rather than letting his imagination take over.
An average book for Le Carre, a towering achievement compared to other memoirs.
An average book for Le Carre, a towering achievement compared to other memoirs.
petewong's review against another edition
4.0
It is not an autobiography. It is more like a hop-around memoir.
JLC's fans should enjoy it. There are witticism almost on every page, wisdom on every 2 or 3.
It is kind of sad when you realise that there are not many writers of this calibre nowadays
JLC's fans should enjoy it. There are witticism almost on every page, wisdom on every 2 or 3.
It is kind of sad when you realise that there are not many writers of this calibre nowadays
kathrynirena's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating collection of stories. I've only read one book by le Carré so far (The Spy Who Came In From The Cold) and remember highly enjoying it--this memoir was a surprising and delightful look into snapshots of the life of David Cornwell as he wrote the novel that launched his career and his other works.
Unsurprisingly, he is a very compelling writer--it's a shame the ARC was riddled with so many typos and formatting issues.
Unsurprisingly, he is a very compelling writer--it's a shame the ARC was riddled with so many typos and formatting issues.