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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
A fascinating look into the mindset of the veterans of the Cold War. Even more nihilistic that The Spy Who Came In from the Cold. It's a spy novel, but you are not going to see pretty ladies, fast cars, nor lots of action.
Instead what you see is the everyday grind of spies. You see people who, despite the horrors they've witnessed, are addicted to the climate of war and embrace espionage with the same fervor that they did combat. Where the ends justify the means because the world hangs in the balance. Except for when it doesn't.
A thoroughly captivating book. I may have to make a habit of reading John le Carré.
Instead what you see is the everyday grind of spies. You see people who, despite the horrors they've witnessed, are addicted to the climate of war and embrace espionage with the same fervor that they did combat. Where the ends justify the means because the world hangs in the balance. Except for when it doesn't.
A thoroughly captivating book. I may have to make a habit of reading John le Carré.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as good as the prior Smiley book, but still a good novel. A bit slow at points but develops into a good read.
This book is clever, sad, and depressing like "Spy Who Came in from the Cold," but for entirely different reasons. Where "Spy" had twists and turns, subplots and ulterior motives, "Looking Glass Wars" was slow, dull, and predictable, which underscored its satire of a tired, wartime service unable to cope with the meticulously planned and technological world of espionage in the 60s. It's a nod to how far we have not come.
It's kind of a long book to make that point but important for to underscore the policies of why le Carre writes his novels. Maybe not my favorite of his novels, but it has great wartime background of military intelligence and good character development.
It's kind of a long book to make that point but important for to underscore the policies of why le Carre writes his novels. Maybe not my favorite of his novels, but it has great wartime background of military intelligence and good character development.
A bit different from his previous books but an enjoyable read nonetheless. A sudden start to the book and quite a nice buildup at the end.
A great story about consequences with many layers and deep, thought provoking issues. A much more romanticized look into the world of spies when compared to the previous three books, the story never fails to be unexpected. It is bogged down at times by highly technical details which muddled, rather than enriched the plot.
Weakest le Carré-novel, and Smiley-novel, so far. I get what le Carré is trying here, telling a more realistic and tragic farce about men wanting to feel like they matter, the lengths they'll go to, and the pointlessness of spying, especially when it comes to rivalries between spy agencies, but it's almost too clear early on what will happen, that none of this will work, and while le Carré tells the story in fine prose, it's not as exciting, suspenseful, or emotional as the first three novels. There's too little story here, overtaken by le Carré's wish to undress the vain and self-important men who send spies and agents into danger. But next up is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which is supposed to be pretty decent, so I'm not too bothered. Only wish this novel had been better, because the theme is worth an investigation; I just prefer my themes to be anchored in a suspenseful or entertaining plot as well (or have incredible prose/characterizations, which this doesn't have - the prose is good and the characters believable and understandable, but it's nothing that lifts the novel up a notch. sadly).
