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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
As part of my recent, mostly unintentional and just coincidentally-timed, foray into mystery/spy literature, this was overall pretty enjoyable. The first 100-150 pages I found a bit slow, even for what is a rather slow paced novel, but once it picked up (once Pine is actually recruited for the job he spends the rest of the book enacting) it was quite engrossing. Not really impressed by the one main female character, nor Pine's interest in her, but then we're all fools in love, aren't we?
Though in the end, I'm not entirely sure my enjoyment of the book wasn't increased several fold in knowing the cast for the upcoming series...
Though in the end, I'm not entirely sure my enjoyment of the book wasn't increased several fold in knowing the cast for the upcoming series...
John le Carré writes an intriguing spy novel about Jonathan Pine, probably in his early 40's - 50's, who was a former soldier from a tough childhood. He was never loved properly until he met Sophie, Freddie Hamid's mistress. After her murder he embarks on a project Leonard Burr and Rex Goodhew plan for Roper's and Darker's downfall. This novel was intriguing from beginning to end; I loved how le Carré captured Jonathan Pine's angst and confusion towards his loyalties, which didn't make him seem like someone who can easily be pushed-over. The ending had suspense, which made it all the more readable.
However, there are a number of questions that are left unanswered, including random flashbacks which left me confused. The flashbacks are central to the plot but they aren't incorporated smoothly, often dealing with a topic that isn't covered until another (or few) chapters later, such as Burr's meeting with Dr. Apostoll. There are also too many characters to remember; le Carré should've written a list of them at the beginning for reference.
However, there are a number of questions that are left unanswered, including random flashbacks which left me confused. The flashbacks are central to the plot but they aren't incorporated smoothly, often dealing with a topic that isn't covered until another (or few) chapters later, such as Burr's meeting with Dr. Apostoll. There are also too many characters to remember; le Carré should've written a list of them at the beginning for reference.
The story itself was interesting but the women are just so poorly written. It feels terribly misogynistic.... Since the book used the characters from the BBC miniseries on the cover, I was imagining everything in their voices.
I started reading this since I have enjoyed other LeCarre books. I like this one, since it is a prototype of the thrillers that deal with cartels and arms trades of the 2000's to the present day. I have to admit that I found the plot a bit disenheartening, since there's always shadow plays and to know that people like Roper are out there is a bit disheartening.
The writing is clever and crisp as always. Well done, but not an uplifting type of book.
The writing is clever and crisp as always. Well done, but not an uplifting type of book.
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I saw the TV programme on BBC when it first came out - very well done indeed. The book is much better though when I finished it - mid April 2020 - I watched the series again (on Amazon) and was disappointed at the variance from the original storyline. However, the characters in the film were very true to the original.