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mcormier's review against another edition
4.0
Purchased a paperback for $6 then later found it on hardcover for free in a little free library. Read the first 400 pages by hardcover but then went on vacation and wanted to travel light and switched to my paperback copy.
randomcarpediem's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be quite realistic in regards to the pharmaceutical company exploiting Africa to fast track a drug to be sold for big dollars in the developed countries of the world. "The Constant Gardner" brings home the truth that developing countries are used as guinea pigs to bring about at a low cost new drugs to the high paying patients-customers in developed countries. Why pay big bucks to test a drug safely when you can fast track it with little regulation in a different country.
This book follows Justin's search for his wife's killers. Tessa had discovered the truth behind a new drug and was killed as a result of the knowledge.
I found the book interesting enough to finish reading it, buy I did not become attached to any characters nor did the book change me any way. It was a long read and not that riveting.
This book follows Justin's search for his wife's killers. Tessa had discovered the truth behind a new drug and was killed as a result of the knowledge.
I found the book interesting enough to finish reading it, buy I did not become attached to any characters nor did the book change me any way. It was a long read and not that riveting.
petercchurch's review against another edition
4.0
I can't quite decide how I feel about the Constant Gardener. I am captivated by the characters and immaculately described setting while being appalled at the injustice it describes.
The book works like a reverse mystery where you discover what you think is the crime only to discover it is only part the real tragedy, building towards despair.
The reader only discovers the protagonists a third of the way in and it's fascinating to discover the personality's of the dead as if they were playing a role in the live story.
My emotions are fraught form the harrowing conclusion and I'm not sure it was a good idea to finish the book while sitting the hospital hooked up to heart monitors (I survived incidentally)
The book works like a reverse mystery where you discover what you think is the crime only to discover it is only part the real tragedy, building towards despair.
The reader only discovers the protagonists a third of the way in and it's fascinating to discover the personality's of the dead as if they were playing a role in the live story.
My emotions are fraught form the harrowing conclusion and I'm not sure it was a good idea to finish the book while sitting the hospital hooked up to heart monitors (I survived incidentally)
mayankshah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I think my expectations for this book may have been a little overblown, primarily because it is a novel by John le Carré. I was expecting some sort of tense, cerebral conspiracy mixed with elements of his more classic spy thrillers in a more modern setting than some of his more famous works. I was disappointed and, even once I got used to the style of book this is, the book did continue to disappoint as it was way simpler than I was expecting. There was no real mystery in the end and the whole story is given away very early on.
That's not to say that the book was entirely terrible. I did find it an excellent representation of the darker but probably more realistic side of modern diplomacy and global capitalism. He represents the world's general views about Africa and other poorer parts of the worlds really well and it shows the inherent privilege those of us in the western world are lucky to live with. While reading the book, some characters seem to be surprised by the events that unfold while, as a reader, I was left with this feeling of expectation as I knew what was going to happen. It was quite cleverly done as it showed how much I have accepted and taken for granted the horrendous things that happen around the world.
I was overall disappointed by the book though and particularly felt that it did not need to be anywhere near as long as it is. There is obviously value in fleshing out characters and their feelings and backstories but this was taken to an almost unnecessary level in this book with entire chapters in the point of view of different characters that we could have done without. Maybe if the book were snappier, I would have enjoyed it more.
I was also left wanting by the characters in the novel. While the story essentially revolves around the discoveries and work of one women, she is not present for the whole book and the main players in the story are all straight white men with little to no depth to them. Some of these characters make their reprehensible sides known very well through the first person writing but it still leaves me wanting characters with real depth and nuance, which this book thoroughly lacked. The writing itself also clearly showed a writer who does not know how to write women or about women as they were often sexualised and objectified without playing any major role in the story or having personalities of their own.
Overall a book that left me wanting more from a thriller by a writer of his calibre and also depressed (although there is always space for depressing books done well). I would have liked the book to be snappier and/or include more nuance and mystery while also including more interesting and diverse characters to make the story really feel real.
That's not to say that the book was entirely terrible. I did find it an excellent representation of the darker but probably more realistic side of modern diplomacy and global capitalism. He represents the world's general views about Africa and other poorer parts of the worlds really well and it shows the inherent privilege those of us in the western world are lucky to live with. While reading the book, some characters seem to be surprised by the events that unfold while, as a reader, I was left with this feeling of expectation as I knew what was going to happen. It was quite cleverly done as it showed how much I have accepted and taken for granted the horrendous things that happen around the world.
I was overall disappointed by the book though and particularly felt that it did not need to be anywhere near as long as it is. There is obviously value in fleshing out characters and their feelings and backstories but this was taken to an almost unnecessary level in this book with entire chapters in the point of view of different characters that we could have done without. Maybe if the book were snappier, I would have enjoyed it more.
I was also left wanting by the characters in the novel. While the story essentially revolves around the discoveries and work of one women, she is not present for the whole book and the main players in the story are all straight white men with little to no depth to them. Some of these characters make their reprehensible sides known very well through the first person writing but it still leaves me wanting characters with real depth and nuance, which this book thoroughly lacked. The writing itself also clearly showed a writer who does not know how to write women or about women as they were often sexualised and objectified without playing any major role in the story or having personalities of their own.
Overall a book that left me wanting more from a thriller by a writer of his calibre and also depressed (although there is always space for depressing books done well). I would have liked the book to be snappier and/or include more nuance and mystery while also including more interesting and diverse characters to make the story really feel real.
shadedelight's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe I didn't read this book before now. How could I have missed it? But I did, and I'm really sorry I did, but really happy that I have corrected the error. I've always liked Le Carre's novels, and have read a few of them always enjoying the story and the plodding of the Smiley types. This book is a complete departure from that. The plot is not as important as the characters who inhabit the story. As always with Le Carre, there is a back story, and a surface story. There is also the inner story and this book is full of the inner one. The growth of the protagonist from a wallpaper item to a man of action and deceoption is remarkable; remarkable for the depth of change and for the exhibition of love at every step. How is it possible for someone to love this much? To be so absent in one life, and become so present in the new life?
Loved the pilloring of the British civil servant and the foreign office with ruthless abandon at itmes. And how the deceit and overt ladder climbing by the Embassy staff is so deleterious to the truth and the murder. It is a wonderful read just for the pleasure of reading a good story.
Loved the pilloring of the British civil servant and the foreign office with ruthless abandon at itmes. And how the deceit and overt ladder climbing by the Embassy staff is so deleterious to the truth and the murder. It is a wonderful read just for the pleasure of reading a good story.
kelleieio's review against another edition
3.0
Had a hard time following the audiobook, def interested in seeing the movie
vicardave's review against another edition
4.0
Classic John Le Carré: careful, forensic prose wrapped around an intriguing plot; characters that verge on caricature but are just the right side of it; powerfully understated plot moves; gripping and enticing; intelligent and dignified; all shot through with passionate, righteous anger and a plea for justice.
gabbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
"These are nettles one has to grasp,
Justin, and in my experience they're best grasped now and accepted." P183
Justin felt a bar of hostility form at the front of his head, which was what happened to him when people talked computer gobbledygook at him. P260
"Better to be inside the system and fighting it than outside the system, howling at it" p336
Justin, and in my experience they're best grasped now and accepted." P183
Justin felt a bar of hostility form at the front of his head, which was what happened to him when people talked computer gobbledygook at him. P260
"Better to be inside the system and fighting it than outside the system, howling at it" p336
nverad's review against another edition
4.0
Saya berkesempatan menonton film yang dibuat berdasar buku ini terlebih dulu bulan Juni lalu, baru kemudian membaca bukunya setelah dapat diskon gede di Pesta Buku Jakarta. Filmnya, tentu saja dramatis, melangkah meloncat-loncat, membuka tabir kejadian dengan perlahan-lahan, lalu meninggalkan rasa yang sulit dilupakan. Ternyata bukunya juga punya alur seperti itu. John le Carre bisa tiba-tiba membuat tokoh yang sedang bernarasi, tahu-tahu memaparkan deskripsi. Penjelasan atas setiap bagian "ada apa ini?" mengalir tidak buru-buru. Masa lalu dan masa kini datang dan pergi bersama-sama, tapi tidak membuat pembaca lupa konteks.
Buku yang bagus, keren, seru, dan mengutip kata Uci, "merupakan kisah kejamnya dunia farmasi yang mengeruk keuntungan dari dunia ketiga." Buat saya, buku ini lebih dari konspirasi internasional yang memperlihatkan bahwa kapitalisme global sebenarnya adalah keluarga besar yang berhubungan baik dan sering makan siang bersama di klub golf.
Pesan moral paling jelas di sini adalah saat kamu berpihak pada hati nuranimu, bersiaplah untuk disingkirkan dunia dengan segala bentuk yang mereka bisa tampilkan.
Buku yang bagus, keren, seru, dan mengutip kata Uci, "merupakan kisah kejamnya dunia farmasi yang mengeruk keuntungan dari dunia ketiga." Buat saya, buku ini lebih dari konspirasi internasional yang memperlihatkan bahwa kapitalisme global sebenarnya adalah keluarga besar yang berhubungan baik dan sering makan siang bersama di klub golf.
Pesan moral paling jelas di sini adalah saat kamu berpihak pada hati nuranimu, bersiaplah untuk disingkirkan dunia dengan segala bentuk yang mereka bisa tampilkan.
squid_vicious's review against another edition
5.0
"As my journey through the pharmaceutical jungle progressed, I came to realize that, by comparison with the reality, my story was as tame as a holiday postcard." - John Le Carré, in the afterword.
Tessa Quayle was a diplomat’s wife on a social justice mission, who struggled to be taken seriously by the proper authorities. She was a slight annoyance to her husband’s colleagues at the High Commission in Nairobi… until she is found, murdered by Lake Turkana, her driver decapitated and her confidant (and supposed lover) missing. Justin Quayle might have seemed like a placid man and a bit of a cold fish, but he is anything but: he will stop at nothing to find out who killed his wife and why, and in the process, will uncover a far-reaching conspiracy that he could not have even imagined.
This is not a simple political thriller. There is so much more going on here than I was expecting, despite vague memories of the movie, seen ages ago. Le Carré created something incredible with the story of Justin and Tessa: two magnificently complicated and layered characters whose barely lived love story is the fire that drives both of them – albeit in different directions, tragically.
Obviously, the anti-corporate anger is palpable pretty much from page one until the last sentence, but Le Carré is not interested in preaching to his readers: he simply paints a dark portrait of what can happen when profit outweighs human lives in the eyes of a powerful few, and how governments get sucked into the traps laid for them by Big Pharma. The fact that he somehow managed to weave an amazing love story through this angry rant at corruption and inhuman business practices kind of blows my mind.
I was also blown away by the prose: I have seen a few adaptations of Le Carré’s work on television, so I knew the man could write a twisty plot like nobody’s business, but I had not expected his prose to be so beautiful, his descriptions so vivid that I could see, smell and feel what his characters were going through at every turn of page. Le Carré knew that there is no such thing as 100% evil and 100% good, that everyone has some shady stuff, and he writes characters that you love when they are good, and sympathize and squirm for when they are bad – because they are human, flawed and don’t know any better.
There is probably an element of fantasy-fulfillment on Le Carré’s part: the early relationship between Justin and Tessa screams midlife crisis, and other male characters sexualize her a lot, which can get a little weird. But once we get passed how hot she is, the profound nature of her relationship with her husband develops, and it is so much more than meets the eye. One of the pleasures of this story is seeing this love story unfolds through Justin's recollection, but also through the things he finds out about how far Tessa went to protect him, how much she was willing to sacrifice to keep him safe.
This was my first book by John Le Carré, and it won't be the last. It was much more than the spy thriller I was expecting, and this genre-blurring made me very happy, even if the story is an angry, heart-wrenching tale of injustice and corporate madness. It might have been the best way to tell such a story.
Tessa Quayle was a diplomat’s wife on a social justice mission, who struggled to be taken seriously by the proper authorities. She was a slight annoyance to her husband’s colleagues at the High Commission in Nairobi… until she is found, murdered by Lake Turkana, her driver decapitated and her confidant (and supposed lover) missing. Justin Quayle might have seemed like a placid man and a bit of a cold fish, but he is anything but: he will stop at nothing to find out who killed his wife and why, and in the process, will uncover a far-reaching conspiracy that he could not have even imagined.
This is not a simple political thriller. There is so much more going on here than I was expecting, despite vague memories of the movie, seen ages ago. Le Carré created something incredible with the story of Justin and Tessa: two magnificently complicated and layered characters whose barely lived love story is the fire that drives both of them – albeit in different directions, tragically.
Obviously, the anti-corporate anger is palpable pretty much from page one until the last sentence, but Le Carré is not interested in preaching to his readers: he simply paints a dark portrait of what can happen when profit outweighs human lives in the eyes of a powerful few, and how governments get sucked into the traps laid for them by Big Pharma. The fact that he somehow managed to weave an amazing love story through this angry rant at corruption and inhuman business practices kind of blows my mind.
I was also blown away by the prose: I have seen a few adaptations of Le Carré’s work on television, so I knew the man could write a twisty plot like nobody’s business, but I had not expected his prose to be so beautiful, his descriptions so vivid that I could see, smell and feel what his characters were going through at every turn of page. Le Carré knew that there is no such thing as 100% evil and 100% good, that everyone has some shady stuff, and he writes characters that you love when they are good, and sympathize and squirm for when they are bad – because they are human, flawed and don’t know any better.
There is probably an element of fantasy-fulfillment on Le Carré’s part: the early relationship between Justin and Tessa screams midlife crisis, and other male characters sexualize her a lot, which can get a little weird. But once we get passed how hot she is, the profound nature of her relationship with her husband develops, and it is so much more than meets the eye. One of the pleasures of this story is seeing this love story unfolds through Justin's recollection, but also through the things he finds out about how far Tessa went to protect him, how much she was willing to sacrifice to keep him safe.
This was my first book by John Le Carré, and it won't be the last. It was much more than the spy thriller I was expecting, and this genre-blurring made me very happy, even if the story is an angry, heart-wrenching tale of injustice and corporate madness. It might have been the best way to tell such a story.