You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Entirely unconvinced by this one. A lot of the action and scenes are presented in what can best be described as sketches, with the actual action in some cases even being omitted, and we are left dealing with the constant aftermath. The characters are certainly vivid, but also seem cartoonish; at least the most of the secret service operatives are more grounded characters.
The main character, Johnathan Pine, is not a person whose head I enjoyed being in; with his calculated coldness and detachment, and his predatory sexuality, I would have been honestly quite alright with him meeting an unpleasant end at the hands of some equally unpleasant people. Is that what we are to take away from this; that the 'good guys' often are no better than the 'bad'?
Will admit to being thrown off balance by the opening sequence in the hotel; it distinctly seems to lack focus, and stretches itself to establish the characters.
And for all the globe-trotting and set-up, very little payoff. The journey for me was not enjoyable enough to warrant the book's ramblings. Although him setting up his first alias on the coast was an interesting section.
It may well be that this style of thriller is just not for me, although would be happy to take more suggestions that may prove this idea wrong.
The main character, Johnathan Pine, is not a person whose head I enjoyed being in; with his calculated coldness and detachment, and his predatory sexuality, I would have been honestly quite alright with him meeting an unpleasant end at the hands of some equally unpleasant people. Is that what we are to take away from this; that the 'good guys' often are no better than the 'bad'?
Will admit to being thrown off balance by the opening sequence in the hotel; it distinctly seems to lack focus, and stretches itself to establish the characters.
And for all the globe-trotting and set-up, very little payoff. The journey for me was not enjoyable enough to warrant the book's ramblings. Although him setting up his first alias on the coast was an interesting section.
It may well be that this style of thriller is just not for me, although would be happy to take more suggestions that may prove this idea wrong.
The Cold War is over and arms dealers are making the most of it during the run up to the first Gulf War. This was densely plotted but had great characterizations and the narration of the audio by David Case was very good.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Slightly disappointing finish. Too much unresolved.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Terrific late Le Carre - and illuminating about the connections among the drug trade, the illegal weapons market, and the rich and powerful who profit from both.
The Cold War is over and arms dealers are making the most of it during the run up to the first Gulf War. This was densely plotted but had great characterizations and the narration of the audio by David Case was very good.