Reviews

The Constant Gardener by John le Carré

booksdogsandjess's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book, it was heartbreaking and beautiful.Tessa and Justin are 2 of my fav characters ever on paper. They are very pure and I just loved them.I think the way le Carre wrote Justin was brilliant ,You feel his anguish and his strength.

pietopper's review against another edition

4.0

A spine-chilling tale of pharmaceutical skullduggery, set in Kenya. Excellent characterisations and descriptive passages.

williamoverbeeke's review against another edition

5.0

I had read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by Le Carre some time before this one, and that one was very dense and quite hard to follow, so I was pleasantly surprised at the style and pace of this novel compared to TTSS. It had great tone and style and held suspense nicely. The characterization was superbly done. Justin was a great main character. I loved that we didn't "hear" from Justin till quite a bit ways into the book-and even then we were never fully privy to all his thoughts. Le Carre really knows how to handle his characters delicately. It really made for an intriguing protagonist. And the cast of minor or side characters was just enough to give the reader several different angles on the mystery of Tessa's death. Only the ending left me somewhat bewildered/confused, for lack of a better word, and some plot points seem muddled here and there, but overall loved this book as a mystery/thriller.

gadrake's review against another edition

5.0

Here is a literary thriller that has fully turned me into a John le Carré fan. Excellent story and powerful writing.

This slowly unfolding, character-driven story contains a deep moral and ethical issue. After an older British man's beautiful young attorney wife is raped and murdered, he begins a solitary journey to discover what really occurred. Simple premise that shapes a complicated plot as the author explores the influences of global capitalism, abuses of huge pharmaceutical companies, racial roles of friendship between the whites and the Africans, a May/December marital relationship, extramarital affairs, political cover-ups, third world aid workers, and spy tactics. This novel which simmers with a steady low-grade anger is loaded.

Readers who wonder what life would be like if run by corporations rather than governments should spend some time with The Constant Gardner.

donnie_carey's review against another edition

3.0

Not as good as some of his others, a bit anti-climatic.

charlo67's review against another edition

5.0

This book achieves what all great novels should: a thrilling plot whilst exposing the evils of the real world. I thoroughly recommend this more recent of Le Carre's works

danvinci's review against another edition

4.0

Although fictional, John Le Carre’s thriller is bound to provoke thoughts and questions on ethics and methods employed by one of the biggest and most secretive businesses - Pharma. Connections, existing to this day, between Pharma and third world countries, the logic, strategies and profits of so-called humanitarian aid in Africa are also brought to surface in this work of semi-fiction. This certainly is an intelligent and disturbing read that leaves you wondering is there really is anything sacred left in the eyes of god Profit. Recommend!

josierushinxo's review against another edition

3.0

fiction about a murder. too many characters were introduced too quickly leaving me feeling confused and struggling to get into the story. but i grew into the story though the book still felt quite long. i was not amazed by the author and won’t be rushing to read another but i can see the appeal for crime fans.

susansanders's review against another edition

audiobook

quit early, meh - could not get into it at all

amelie5m's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75