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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
We've all grown up watching films like James Bond and Jason Bourne and we honestly believe that's what spying is like. Operatives from western countries living the high and dangerous life and kicking ass while doing it. Of course, the truth is something that is far from that.
John LeCarre relies on this truth more than anything else. Having experienc of his own, he knows that spies aren't glamorous, gun toting flirts but ordinary men and women who have, thrust upon them, burdens we can never imagine. In fact, a lot of the time their deeds of bravery in a world of deceit and betrayal go unknown to most of us as we sleep peacefully in the night. People like these do horrible things on a daily basis and we never know. Frankly, we wouldn't want to know.
LeCarre captures it here, this theme of gray in a world that understands only white or black. He understands the ambiguity spies would face every day and he tells it through the eyes of Alec Leamas, a weary spy sent on one last mission - to betray his country, or at least look like he's doing so while his true motives are different. This is the first true spy novel I've read. No fancy locales or femme fatales or dashing adventures. Only the ugliness that emanates from two sides locked in a silent war, to prevent the larger wars from happening.
I can't discuss anything about the plot except that it is tight and pulls out the rug from underneath you more often than you'd expect. It's this intrigue and slow build to a crashing end that sets this spy novel apart from the others. The spies are intelligence officers and not all of them conform to our ideas. Some of the most sympathetic characters are from the opposite side while some of the most vile are from the side we should support and lay our arms with. This duality is what the real life spy world must be about and LeCarre has done a masterful job in giving us a glimpse of it.
I loved this book and I was glued till the end which I never saw coming. Everything falls into place and when it's over you'll find yourself wanting to read it again. A landmark achievment. Five stars is the least I can give it.
John LeCarre relies on this truth more than anything else. Having experienc of his own, he knows that spies aren't glamorous, gun toting flirts but ordinary men and women who have, thrust upon them, burdens we can never imagine. In fact, a lot of the time their deeds of bravery in a world of deceit and betrayal go unknown to most of us as we sleep peacefully in the night. People like these do horrible things on a daily basis and we never know. Frankly, we wouldn't want to know.
LeCarre captures it here, this theme of gray in a world that understands only white or black. He understands the ambiguity spies would face every day and he tells it through the eyes of Alec Leamas, a weary spy sent on one last mission - to betray his country, or at least look like he's doing so while his true motives are different. This is the first true spy novel I've read. No fancy locales or femme fatales or dashing adventures. Only the ugliness that emanates from two sides locked in a silent war, to prevent the larger wars from happening.
I can't discuss anything about the plot except that it is tight and pulls out the rug from underneath you more often than you'd expect. It's this intrigue and slow build to a crashing end that sets this spy novel apart from the others. The spies are intelligence officers and not all of them conform to our ideas. Some of the most sympathetic characters are from the opposite side while some of the most vile are from the side we should support and lay our arms with. This duality is what the real life spy world must be about and LeCarre has done a masterful job in giving us a glimpse of it.
I loved this book and I was glued till the end which I never saw coming. Everything falls into place and when it's over you'll find yourself wanting to read it again. A landmark achievment. Five stars is the least I can give it.
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Largely dialogue driven. Fairly intricate network of spies etc but keeps you engaged. Some good language.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The beginning was a bit slow, but this book really struck me. The afterward really left me thinking, and has me wondering whether I need to read the book again. Particularly when John Le Carre wrote, “What have I leant over the last fifty years? Come to think of it, not much. Just that the morals of the secret world are very like our own.”
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Deducted 1/2 point for one very jarring and unnecessary use of the n-word.
The first 85% of the book was a bit of a slog. I'm tired of the trope of the bitter, jaded, alcoholic spy getting with the beautiful young woman every time, thoughI liked that she was characterized more towards the end and they have an actual intellectual discussion .
The last 15% of this book FLEW BY. A classic thriller where all the pieces just come together and you're left stunned. It reminded me of Consider Phlebas a little bit.
The first 85% of the book was a bit of a slog. I'm tired of the trope of the bitter, jaded, alcoholic spy getting with the beautiful young woman every time, though
The last 15% of this book FLEW BY. A classic thriller where all the pieces just come together and you're left stunned. It reminded me of Consider Phlebas a little bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Racial slurs