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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
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
I'm giving it only 4 stars because I got a little depressed at the ending. It was a good ending, and I expected it, but I still got sad.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
I enjoyed this, but not as much as [b:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|18989|Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|John le Carré|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327889127s/18989.jpg|2491780], which is probably why it took me ten days to finish this – that and the new kitten.
One of my problems with it is the plot is slow-moving at the start and it's not always clear what's going on, and what's significant. I again found myself wishing for a character list just to keep track of all the names and who they were.
In spite of the slow plot, the main and supporting characters are enough to keep afloat on. I didn't really get the fascination with Lizzie, but that's a small price to pay. Since I'd already grown attached to the main characters from Tinker Tailor... I found myself far more interested in their scenes than anyone else's. This isn't necessarily a strength as at least half of the novel is focused on Jerry Westerby. Sure, I liked him but I never felt like I knew exactly what he wanted and on the whole, I'd have preferred to read about Smiley. Maybe even Smiley painting his walls.
One of my problems with it is the plot is slow-moving at the start and it's not always clear what's going on, and what's significant. I again found myself wishing for a character list just to keep track of all the names and who they were.
In spite of the slow plot, the main and supporting characters are enough to keep afloat on. I didn't really get the fascination with Lizzie, but that's a small price to pay. Since I'd already grown attached to the main characters from Tinker Tailor... I found myself far more interested in their scenes than anyone else's. This isn't necessarily a strength as at least half of the novel is focused on Jerry Westerby. Sure, I liked him but I never felt like I knew exactly what he wanted and on the whole, I'd have preferred to read about Smiley. Maybe even Smiley painting his walls.
A fascinating historical artifact, full of detailed descriptions of late Cold War spycraft and the Far East at the end of Vietnam, but also of the casual racism and sexism of the late British empire. Although I don't know le Carre's actual views, it feels more as a useful picture into the world than as a endorsement of that worldview, and of course as usual the actual story is top-notch.
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not much I can add at this point, but I want to point out that this was written in 1974, and thus is one of the earliest descriptions of the moral and political and economic cluster-fuck that was Indochina back then. They all say the same thing because it's true.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lost me a little after TTSS but I am pressing on. Could see this growing for me on a reread now knowing what goes on in it.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No