Reviews

Perfect Spy by John le Carré

courtneyptum's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

laticsexile's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Le Carré right at the top of his game. If it’s not his best spy novel, it’s his best literary novel. With skill and panache, he flips backwards and forwards in time, jumps between first and third person for the protagonist, slowly revealing the layers of the onion of Pym’s character and his past. It’s also a brave portrayal of the relationship between Pym and his  father, which runs as an uncomfortable seam through the book. Wonderful stuff.

autumnal54's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ljb24's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

valeatsbooks's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

angelamichelle's review against another edition

1.0

Read, and read, and read, and read. And still didn't really care. I'll just tell you--major spoiler alert-- He kills himself.

ztaylor4's review against another edition

4.0

The book ran long, but the life and inner workings of vanished British spy Magnus Pym kept me involved to the end. Early in the story the reader discovers what the protagonist must resolve for himself, but his story of why he has done what he has and his search for resolution made the tale of schoolboy grown to spy a captivating read.

brndvorak27's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

decreation_'s review against another edition

5.0

A perfect book.

duparker's review against another edition

4.0

Incredibly well written, if not fast paced book. I really enjoyed the detail and the deliberate nature of the story. The tone is perfect for a spy novel and in many ways it has a timeless feel.