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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
3.5 Very good spy novel, though I expected a bit more plot given its reputation. You’re so busy keeping track of who’s working for who the next thing you know it’s over. I liked the ending but I may have to go over it again. I have questions but maybe I’m supposed to,
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Didn't finish...couldn't figure out what was going on half the time.
My first spy novel. I won’t go so far as to say I understood it, nor will I say I liked it. Being on the edge of my seat-and waiting to see what happens next? That thrill happens enough in my life; I don’t like my books taking me there too. I’m definitely learning who I am as a reader and my personal preferences-and that’s priceless!
One of those books I waited way too long to actually read, and thus built up waaaay too much in my head. In short: the ur-cynical spy thriller, decent but also a little lame.
PROs:
- Some brief, atmospheric moments of peak Cold War Berlin. I think the opening is at Checkpoint Charlie!
- The pacing is a brisk trot.
CONs:
- The completely awful, one-dimensional, bullshit gender stuff. Liz Gold the Helpless Idiot, 23 and falling in loaf with 50+, hard-drinking, heavy-set boozer, Leamas. Because of course? Because patriarchy. Because no no no. This was such a huge drag and made me mostly hate this stupid story.
- The somewhat excruciatingly cynical/earnest dialogue, very old timey.
WHAT I RECOMMEND INSTEAD:
- The true story of Kim Philby because it is just bonkers. (And the hard-drinking, good ol' boy, chummy British spy culture was, apparently, very accurate indeed in Le Carre's books!)
- The epic biography of the Dulles bros, for a macro view, which is also bonkers.
PROs:
- Some brief, atmospheric moments of peak Cold War Berlin. I think the opening is at Checkpoint Charlie!
- The pacing is a brisk trot.
CONs:
- The completely awful, one-dimensional, bullshit gender stuff. Liz Gold the Helpless Idiot, 23 and falling in loaf with 50+, hard-drinking, heavy-set boozer, Leamas. Because of course? Because patriarchy. Because no no no. This was such a huge drag and made me mostly hate this stupid story.
- The somewhat excruciatingly cynical/earnest dialogue, very old timey.
WHAT I RECOMMEND INSTEAD:
- The true story of Kim Philby because it is just bonkers. (And the hard-drinking, good ol' boy, chummy British spy culture was, apparently, very accurate indeed in Le Carre's books!)
- The epic biography of the Dulles bros, for a macro view, which is also bonkers.
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated