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juliebcooper's review
3.0
3.5 -4 stars. I love le Carré and his novels are always so well-written, with lavish prose and smart humor placed at the perfect moment.... This started off at a much slower pace than I expected but was still enjoyable to read (I wasn’t bored), and then the last 1/2-1/3 of the book was dizzying. I wanted more for the ending and am hoping there’s a sequel but I have a feeling this was a one and done.
austinhahn's review
5.0
4/5, +1 star for the stellar narration by the author. This won't be the last le Carre that I read.
lokroma's review against another edition
4.0
This was my second reading, in preparation for leading a discussion. I've always been a fan of Le Carre as a storyteller, but I now have an appreciation for what a fine writer he was. Conventional in form, but his attention to detail, and his exploration of the importance of the zeitgeist in the lives of those who are aware is incisive.
It's Brexit, this time, rather than the Cold War, that provides the backdrop for an agent runner who is facing the end of his career, and who finds an unlikely companion in a young man who challenges him at badminton. The two develop a sort of friendship as they move through a series of complex MI6 operations that work to destroy their illusions about the British government and intelligence services.
A clever plot, with lots of twists and turns and surprises, I found the book hard to put down. That an 88 year old author could close his career with such a fine book is remarkable. (There was a posthumous book published last month, but I haven't read it yet.)
It's Brexit, this time, rather than the Cold War, that provides the backdrop for an agent runner who is facing the end of his career, and who finds an unlikely companion in a young man who challenges him at badminton. The two develop a sort of friendship as they move through a series of complex MI6 operations that work to destroy their illusions about the British government and intelligence services.
A clever plot, with lots of twists and turns and surprises, I found the book hard to put down. That an 88 year old author could close his career with such a fine book is remarkable. (There was a posthumous book published last month, but I haven't read it yet.)
rizzfitz's review
4.0
I'd like to read more le Carré after this. (whoops: apparently I read Silverview last year but don't remember reading it at all? So I guess I liked it?)
I was told that literary writers are told to write a lot before the plot gets going to let the book warm up. This plot is cold for a lot of the beginning, like a lot of the books I end up reading. And just like other books, the pacing eventually becomes cinematic! With great writing! Nearly perfect! And then splat. The author just kind of ran out of write, and ended it. It would be generous to call it a cliffhanger. It was just a hasty wrap up. A no sequel request for a sequel, maybe? In fact I kept going back to re-read because I thought it was me. Then I googled to confirm it wasn't just me. But still am confused. This is a book that I wish I could start 45% of the way in and end 30% later than the plot stopped. But I can't write like this, so let me just shut up.
I was told that literary writers are told to write a lot before the plot gets going to let the book warm up. This plot is cold for a lot of the beginning, like a lot of the books I end up reading. And just like other books, the pacing eventually becomes cinematic! With great writing! Nearly perfect! And then splat. The author just kind of ran out of write, and ended it. It would be generous to call it a cliffhanger. It was just a hasty wrap up. A no sequel request for a sequel, maybe? In fact I kept going back to re-read because I thought it was me. Then I googled to confirm it wasn't just me. But still am confused. This is a book that I wish I could start 45% of the way in and end 30% later than the plot stopped. But I can't write like this, so let me just shut up.
botanicgirl's review against another edition
4.0
It has been quite a while since I've read a Le Carre book and I had forgotten how much I enjoy his style and the fast pace of his stories. This one was no exception...a fast read that drew me into the underworld of spies and politics. Great characters, and intricate story line. The only reason I gave it 4 of 5 stars was the ending. Very abrupt and unsatisfying is all I will say to avoid spoilers.
merlandre's review against another edition
5.0
I often have difficulty following who's who and who's on which side in le Carré novels. I could follow this one despite the many twists and turns of this spy story. Interesting story set in current day England. The fact that badminton plays a factor was a plus for me as I spent many years playing. A good story, kept me engaged.
cgcang's review against another edition
2.0
That's the first le Carré book that I ever read and if I didn't know better, it'd be the last. I've never seen a book move so slow and be so difficult to follow at the same time. The plot was rarely intriguing, I never really cared for any of the characters. I only finished it out of sheer respect.
I want to give The Spy Who Came In from the Cold a chance but I guess it'll be quite some time from now.
I want to give The Spy Who Came In from the Cold a chance but I guess it'll be quite some time from now.
wolfsonarchitect's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the insights into spy craft. But the plot is slow and not satisfying.