its_joseph_monaghan 's review for:

The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré

3.0

adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This story makes itself worthwhile through its compelling plotting, engaging espionage drama, and excellent evocation of its world, perfectly evoking the collapsing colonial empire of Britain and the weary men in suits who ran it. However, this is a byegone world in more ways than one, and I don't think authorial intent was to create such disengagement from the ostensible protagonist through constant casual racism - a feature that, while probably an accurate part of these characters in this setting, hurts the story in a modern reading. Having enjoyed his other works, this is a shame.