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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Yes, I read this because of the TV show with Tom Hiddleston. I have to say, I feel like the show flows better than the novel, but both are tight, gripping narratives. The show isn't over yet in the US, so I'm curious how they will wrap it up--I feel like the ending to the novel was a little rushed, and what actually happens to Jonathan? Shouldn't there be more to his story? Does he get his life back?
I don't read a lot of thrillers (unless they're fantasy first) so perhaps I get a little lost in the story. I feel like some of the character motivations weren't there, but the action and tension stay high throughout the whole story, so it kept my interest. Also, it was nice to picture Tom as Jonathan while I read. I loved how Jonathan inhabited his role, and I dreaded the moment when he was discovered.
I can see why they updated the show to the Arab Spring versus the Gulf War, but the book didn't read as dated, like the Bourne books can be. I think I enjoyed this Le Carré novel better than [b:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|18989|Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|John le Carré|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327889127s/18989.jpg|2491780], but it probably has a little bit to do with the show explaining things. I haven't seen a movie for TTSS yet; maybe that would help. Eventually I'll probably pick up another Le Carré story when I'm in the mood for a spy thriller.
I don't read a lot of thrillers (unless they're fantasy first) so perhaps I get a little lost in the story. I feel like some of the character motivations weren't there, but the action and tension stay high throughout the whole story, so it kept my interest. Also, it was nice to picture Tom as Jonathan while I read. I loved how Jonathan inhabited his role, and I dreaded the moment when he was discovered.
I can see why they updated the show to the Arab Spring versus the Gulf War, but the book didn't read as dated, like the Bourne books can be. I think I enjoyed this Le Carré novel better than [b:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|18989|Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|John le Carré|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327889127s/18989.jpg|2491780], but it probably has a little bit to do with the show explaining things. I haven't seen a movie for TTSS yet; maybe that would help. Eventually I'll probably pick up another Le Carré story when I'm in the mood for a spy thriller.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
adventurous
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3 out of 5 stars
Since, I finaly got the chance to write this (almost a month after finishing the book), I'll keep it as short as possible. I gave this book 3 stars because I felt it was lacking in certain areas. I will admit that, as far as plot goes, it is a very well-thought-out book and that the author knows how to set the mood, despite his elaborate writing style. However, I cannot get on board with paper cut-out female characters and two-dimensional secondary characters that exist just for the sake of existing. The use of certain stereotypes, that in my opinion came to define one character in particular, bothered me, in the sense that they weren't addressed in the entirety of the book. In conclusion, I would reccommend this if you are into political/spy thrillers and want to give le Carré a go. If you are intimidated by the length of the book, allow me to reccommend the series it was made into by the BBC, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Happy reading!
P.S. This isn't so short after all... Oh, well!
Since, I finaly got the chance to write this (almost a month after finishing the book), I'll keep it as short as possible. I gave this book 3 stars because I felt it was lacking in certain areas. I will admit that, as far as plot goes, it is a very well-thought-out book and that the author knows how to set the mood, despite his elaborate writing style. However, I cannot get on board with paper cut-out female characters and two-dimensional secondary characters that exist just for the sake of existing. The use of certain stereotypes, that in my opinion came to define one character in particular, bothered me, in the sense that they weren't addressed in the entirety of the book. In conclusion, I would reccommend this if you are into political/spy thrillers and want to give le Carré a go. If you are intimidated by the length of the book, allow me to reccommend the series it was made into by the BBC, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Happy reading!
P.S. This isn't so short after all... Oh, well!
adventurous
dark
slow-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:
No