book data
1,441 ratings,
4.06
average rating, 132 reviews
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published
October 1st 2002
(first published 1974)
by Scribner
binding
Paperback, 400 pages
isbn
0743457900
(isbn13: 9780743457903)
description
John le Carré's classic novels deftly navigate readers through the intricate shadow worlds of international espionage with unsurpassed skill and know...more
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avg 4.06
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in August, 2008
recommended to Patrick by:
Robert Newman and Marshall Presnick
I had read The Spy Who Came In From the Cold on my honeymoon in Paris, and I remember liking it, but not rushing out to get more Le Carre. Well, now I'm going to rush out to get more Le Carre.
I didn't give this five stars because it was a touch slow to get moving. I think if I'd just been able to focus a little more, I would've been into the plot faster. Le Carre has this ability to make every character a mystery. So much is withheld from the reader, and yet the characters are ...more
I didn't give this five stars because it was a touch slow to get moving. I think if I'd just been able to focus a little more, I would've been into the plot faster. Le Carre has this ability to make every character a mystery. So much is withheld from the reader, and yet the characters are ...more
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Read in January, 2008
The first in John LeCarre's Karla trilogy, this is considered to be the best espionage novel written. The superbly conceived mystery follows George Smiley, a retired British spy, in his quest to discover a mole within the Circus (British Intelligence Headquarters). "Tinker, Tailor, etc." is wording taken from a nursery rhyme that refers to the four men who have taken over the Circus, all of which are prime suspects in the case. The plot shows more similarities to an Agatha Christie nov...more
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Read in October, 2007
Oft billed as the "anti-Ian Flemming," John Le Carre inverts all the typical trappings of the spy-thriller: in place of the handsome, gadget-happy g-man we're given a sacked, middle-aged cuckold whose attention to detail and intellectual virtuosity quietly derail Moscow Central's invisible vise-grip on the Circus.
Note that "quietly," as the tension here is all cerebral, the violence and spectacle off-stage, and the stakes themselves, though no less dire than the f...more
Note that "quietly," as the tension here is all cerebral, the violence and spectacle off-stage, and the stakes themselves, though no less dire than the f...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommended to Kate by:
Krissa
First off, I understand that Tinker Tailor is a spy novel, and that Le Carre obviously wanted to achieve a certain effect appropriate to the genre, and to keep everything "realistic." But it was jargon-y to a fault, and in keeping its audience as in the dark as its protagonist, it succeeded too well.
Furthermore, its characters never spoke the way they were described - it was always "'could you pass the tea please, that's a boy,' he shouted furiously." And about ...more
Furthermore, its characters never spoke the way they were described - it was always "'could you pass the tea please, that's a boy,' he shouted furiously." And about ...more
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3 comments
Read in March, 2003
recommends it for:
spy thriller fans
Smiley is as close to being the perfect fictional character as can be. LeCarre' breathes life into him with painstaking attention to detail. Smiley is a complex individual, brilliant and deeply flawed but honorable and admirable. If George were a real human being, I think I'd like to have him as a friend.
This novel is a tour-de-force in writing and a textbook example of the cold war genre but it is also a study in human nature as well. LeCarre' is what I imagine to be an author's ...more
This novel is a tour-de-force in writing and a textbook example of the cold war genre but it is also a study in human nature as well. LeCarre' is what I imagine to be an author's ...more
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Read in May, 2006
And thus began what would be a year and a half-long obsession with George Smiley and his British Circus. Having now read every last book in which Smiley is even cursorily mentioned, I can say steadfast that this is Le Carre's masterwork. It is a warm, immersive book. It draws you in like a warm sweater, and keeps you suspended weightless and happy in its alternate world. I literally read this book three times in a row before moving on to the next in the trilogy (The Honourable Schoolboy). It i...more
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Read in October, 2007
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is not only le Carre's masterpiece, not only perhaps the greatest spy novel ever written, but it is also a great work of serious fiction. Few works of fiction examine so many types of betrayal: of country, of friends, of lovers, of ideals. In none of the espionage master's other works are so many layers of meaning revealed, all inseparable from a highly entertaining cat-and-mouse adventure yarn. The story of supposedly retired spy George Smiley's efforts to ferret ou...more
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This book was written to be a counter point to the James Bond films. Instead of rocket packs and laser wrist watches, it is a realistic portrayal of espionage, middle aged bureaucrats in dusty ministry offices. The tone is melancholic and philosophical. I first come across Le Carre in discussions in my ethics in government course. The main character, George Smiley, is portrayed as a moral man struggling within an amoral environment, with and against selfish, men. A bit dry, but for me its got to...more
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I've read and re-read this probably half a dozen times. Absolutely the finest most textured espionage novel EVER written (including Le Carre's other espionage masterpiece "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold"). Honestly, you need a scorecard to keep the characters and plot line straight. Loosely based on the British spy scandals of the 50s/60s/70s. Too damned good to put down or read once. FYI the BBC television mini-series (starring Sir Alec Guiness) faithfully follows the plot lin...more
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Well-written, but not as compelling as The Spy Who Came In from the Cold.
Le Carre does a great job of describing the intricacies of Cold War espionage, and the plot twist, while not a complete surprise, was still very well done. It also delved more deeply into the political aspects (as opposed to the logistical) of the 'Circus'.
Unfortunately, I had difficulty finding the characters believable. They were far too inclined towards moralizing, and what was supposed to be comp...more
Le Carre does a great job of describing the intricacies of Cold War espionage, and the plot twist, while not a complete surprise, was still very well done. It also delved more deeply into the political aspects (as opposed to the logistical) of the 'Circus'.
Unfortunately, I had difficulty finding the characters believable. They were far too inclined towards moralizing, and what was supposed to be comp...more
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Read in January, 2002
John LeCarre made his reputation writing "Spy" stories that were
always one step more complicated, rich, and relevant than simple
adventure or suspense novels. As his career developed, so too the books. In his early books he seemed compelled to add the obligatory tough-guy slap-the-hysterical-broad scene. As a female writer, these scenes always jolted and revolted me. But it's easy to see that
LeCarre evolved forward with the postmodern waves: even his most devoted ap...more
always one step more complicated, rich, and relevant than simple
adventure or suspense novels. As his career developed, so too the books. In his early books he seemed compelled to add the obligatory tough-guy slap-the-hysterical-broad scene. As a female writer, these scenes always jolted and revolted me. But it's easy to see that
LeCarre evolved forward with the postmodern waves: even his most devoted ap...more
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Read in January, 1980
George Smiley was LeCarre's answer to James Bond. LeCarre (the name is a nom de plume)did work in the intelligence community and knew the best spys were really cold hearted bastards who exploited and destroyed however they had to in order to survive and somehow beat the enemy. The best spys had no feeling, no allegiances. Smiley is good, but Karla his nemsis is better because he can be that bastard. The problem here is that one of the cold hearted bastards in the English secret service is to...more
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Read in March, 1995
recommends it for:
those fascinated with the cold war, spies, or good writing
George Smiley sees everything.
He is the greatest (fictional) spymaster of all time.
He is ruthlessly intelligent, patient, and highly moral.
(He's also balding, chubby and completely ineffectual in his personal life. Nobody's perfect.)
This is *the* *greatest* spy novel of all time, set in the Cold War, when men were men and spies saw everything...
Except for what was right under their noses.
He is the greatest (fictional) spymaster of all time.
He is ruthlessly intelligent, patient, and highly moral.
(He's also balding, chubby and completely ineffectual in his personal life. Nobody's perfect.)
This is *the* *greatest* spy novel of all time, set in the Cold War, when men were men and spies saw everything...
Except for what was right under their noses.
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As many once "serious" literary reputations continue to slide toward oblivion, LeCarre's continues to rise. And much of that is based on the Smiley trilogy. Tinker, Tailor and Smiley's People are among the greatest English-language fictions of the second half of the twentieth century; and I've even developed a certain affection for The Honorable Schoolboy, that classic and very literal farce.
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Although I had previously seen the excellent BBC adaptation of this film, the book still seemed very fresh and exciting. I'd mostly chalk this up to Le Carre's use of language and the internal contemplations of the characters, so difficult to bring to the screen. If you like either the movie or the book, give the other a shot as well. A classic Cold War spy story.
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Read in March, 2009
This is a novel of such depth, scope and critical analysis that I cannot possibly hope to offer any insight that hasn't already been aired, chewed over and turned about long since.
As a ten-year-old with an interest in the spy genre, I cut my teeth on the BBC radio adaptation of this fine work. It condensed the novel to 2 audio cassettes, and the acting was very good. I recently listened to it again, thus prompting me to dig out my copy of the book.
The drama inevitably c...more
As a ten-year-old with an interest in the spy genre, I cut my teeth on the BBC radio adaptation of this fine work. It condensed the novel to 2 audio cassettes, and the acting was very good. I recently listened to it again, thus prompting me to dig out my copy of the book.
The drama inevitably c...more
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Probably the greatest spy novel by the greatest spy novelist of the 20th century, when LeCarre was at the height of his ability and had not strayed towards leftist dogmatism. The story is gripping, the characters will stay with you forever. I have lost count of how many times I have read this.
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Read in January, 2009
From what I've read, George Smiley was created as the antidote to James Bond - an older, pudgy, decidedly unglamorous and thoroughly realistic reflection of the Cold War spy business. This book is widely reputed to be Le Carre's spy masterpiece and I can see why - the book creates a believable and always engaging world, and the pace is fantastic - I never wanted to put it down.
The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that I often didn't follow the twists and turns. It may h...more
The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that I often didn't follow the twists and turns. It may h...more
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What a set! This and Smiley's People are without doubt the greatest literary achievement in Cold War espionage. Forget the middle book of the series, Honourable Schoolboy. Hard to believe it's by the same author and deals with many of the same characters - not credible, not interesting, simply not very good. But the first and third books stand alone and are so good, so complex, with such well-drawn characters that you find yourself regretting the passing of the Cold War... what amazing material....more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in September, 2007
Incredibly intricate spy novel, with the depth of character that only Le Carre can deliver in this genre. The numerous twists and unannounced flashbacks challenge the reader, but close attention is very well-rewarded!
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quotes from this book
"...also took for granted that secret services were the only real measure of a nations political health, the only real expression of its subconscious.""
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