Cheap Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Book) (John le Carre) Price

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Customer Reviews of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

an all-time favourite
This is a book I have read many times. Each time with a great deal of enjoyment, just like re-reading a favourite Jane Austen novel. The slow accumulation of information leading to the identification of the mole, the different characters portrayed so well, and Smiley's personality and truely pathetic love for Anne all come together to make a fine and memorable novel. Delicious! I did see the TV version many years ago and agree with other reviewers that it was a wonderful adaptation. More than 5 stars for this novel!

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Wrong Narrator
Despite the information provided here, the version that they send you is NOT the version narrated by Michael Jayston. What you get is the version narrated by Frederick Davidson. I tried twice to get the Jayston version and was sent the Davidson version both times, so if you particularly want the Jayston version, you may have to order the item elsewhere.

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Smiley's pen is mightier than his sword
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>Tinker Tailor, the first installment of Le carre's Smiley-versus-the-world trilogy, is a unique, complex and intelligent novel about a suspected mole in the British intelligence (supposedly it is the MI6, but really the MI6 is just counter-intelligence. But never mind.) <
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>Whoever dared to question Le Carre's ability at writing a fascinating a thrilling plot will be pleasantly surprised by a plot which is complicated and brilliant, to the point that you might want to start taking notes at some point to keep track of the staggering mass of characters and sub-stories. <
>The narrative is built as layers upon layers of stories that unfold, and Le Carre cleverly weaves past, present and first body to propel the story told by various characters being interrogated with both thrill and compassion. The balance between characters and story development that often goes slightly too heavy to the former, is here right on the money. <
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>Le Carre's style and control of the language are superb. He has a rare ability to characterize the acting figures solely through dialogue. He treats the reader as intelligent, lets him thinks for himself regarding insights- he doesn't feed you with a spoon like many other authors. He portrays the character well enough however, that finally their motives become clear through it. Or so you would think... <
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>In fact, the only bad thing I can say about his writing is that after reading everything else I try to read suddenly seems like a ridiculous teen comic book. <
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