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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I went into this with mixed emotions - happy and intrigued to see much loved characters given a new story, but also it's easy to be cynical about le Carre's son carrying on the Smiley legacy, both keeping the cash coming in and the familial nepotism that gifts a publishing deal. Thankfully, the endeavour proves worthwhile, with Harkaway's uncanny imitation of le Carre's prose and a plot worthy of the much-loved characters. Not the master, but a welcome return and the promise of more Smiley adventures is tantalising and something to look forward to. A must read for those who enjoyed the original books.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A welcome addition to the Smiley books, but clearly written by another hand. Harkaway has a much sunnier view of human nature, and his overall tone is lighter-hearted than le Carre’s often dour mien. A fun read, and a little more optimistic, perhaps because Harkaway writes from a time beyond when the conflict seemed eternal and apocalyptic.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is really very excellent, and Harkaway does a terrific job of not only evoking the mood and place of the other Smiley novels, but of fitting the story in neatly amongst the others.
He also very much evokes the writing of John LeCarre; the only exception I would offer to that is in his portrayal of Smiley. One of the great things LeCarre did was to avoid any internal monologues from George; instead, you learn so much from how other people react to him, or from reading between the lines of his very spare reactions. Harkaway goes rather the other way, with ruminations and internal exposition. Not bad, I'm saying, but different.
Overall a real winner.
He also very much evokes the writing of John LeCarre; the only exception I would offer to that is in his portrayal of Smiley. One of the great things LeCarre did was to avoid any internal monologues from George; instead, you learn so much from how other people react to him, or from reading between the lines of his very spare reactions. Harkaway goes rather the other way, with ruminations and internal exposition. Not bad, I'm saying, but different.
Overall a real winner.
Not as engaging as the writing of his father
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I came into this cold. I knew nothing about the previous novels, the original author’s style or Smiley. And as someone who simply picked up the book —not because I was yearning to get an update on a beloved character — but looking for a good thriller, I was so disappointed. 20 pages in and I wanted to start skimming paragraphs. Life’s too short to read mediocrity. If you aren’t a John le carre enthusiast, just skip it.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was wary of this - a Le Carré book by Le Carré's son - but he really pulled it off.
Quite like JLC’s writing and similarly some obscureness! Plods in in the middle; the near end is suspenseful but the ending (and the plot itself) is somewhat disappointing.
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes