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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
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
This book was so much fun. It certainly wasn't something I was head-over-heels in love with, but it was quite the ride to read. Le Carre's description of his characters is splendid, and the imagery really brings the story to life. I'm definitely looking forward to watching the TV mini series when I get back to the States.
I very much enjoyed this - I decided to pick it up after seeing the BBC miniseries. It definitely took me a little while to get into it and the amount of detail sometimes bogged down the plot, but it was generally engaging. I thought the characters are written very well - they are all complex and really quite interesting character studies. I am definitely interested to try out more by this author and I would recommend it.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the idea of this book, but the writing style was so boring and subtle, whenever something interesting finally happened I almost missed it. I kept thinking it would hit its stride and get exciting so I refused to give it up. Also, I had a hard time understanding the main character who seemed motivated only by shallow, beautiful women. And after all that, the ending was disappointing.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
SPOILERS - minor at best.
Spoilers begin here:
This book irritated the hell out of me. The plot is fantastic and gripping - especially with the back & forth on good vs evil. You can pick out the Bond comparisons fairly easily, but the lines become blurred when you start questioning if the bad guys are right that the main character might actually be evil.
It kind pissed me off that we spend half our time building interest in Pine's character, only to have him undercut by people who are supposed to be the good guys. You're left to make the assumptions that those who sell him out, are actually buried deep in Roper's pockets, but it's never outwardly expressed.
I found myself having to spend the majority of the book making assumptions. I'm not saying an author should spell everything out for you, but it also doesn't have to be a guessing game either.
My biggest problem, is the fact that I found the writing to be absolutely awful. Choppy and just all over the place. You're never entirely sure if someone is actually speaking or if they're thinking something, and viewpoints often change mid-sentence. I'm intrigued by his other works - but if the writing is anything like it was in this book, I 100% won't read them.
3/5 stars - wouldn't recommend unless extremely interested in British spy drama.
Spoilers begin here:
This book irritated the hell out of me. The plot is fantastic and gripping - especially with the back & forth on good vs evil. You can pick out the Bond comparisons fairly easily, but the lines become blurred when you start questioning if the bad guys are right that the main character might actually be evil.
It kind pissed me off that we spend half our time building interest in Pine's character, only to have him undercut by people who are supposed to be the good guys. You're left to make the assumptions that those who sell him out, are actually buried deep in Roper's pockets, but it's never outwardly expressed.
I found myself having to spend the majority of the book making assumptions. I'm not saying an author should spell everything out for you, but it also doesn't have to be a guessing game either.
My biggest problem, is the fact that I found the writing to be absolutely awful. Choppy and just all over the place. You're never entirely sure if someone is actually speaking or if they're thinking something, and viewpoints often change mid-sentence. I'm intrigued by his other works - but if the writing is anything like it was in this book, I 100% won't read them.
3/5 stars - wouldn't recommend unless extremely interested in British spy drama.