From the Bookshelf of Espionage Aficionados…

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

John Le Carré

Start date: August 16, 2015

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Jul 08, 2014 Abubakar Mehdi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the real, hard boiled story of espionage. Devoid of all the rosy and glamorous adulteration, this book shows “how it’s done”. Every dialogue and scene reeks of reality and truth. Le Carre sticks to reality; he knows how it goes and writes just that. No spoiling it with a touch of drama. This is one of the greatest espionage novels ever written. I am definitely going to read more of it.

10 likes · Like · see review

Jun 20, 2016 Scott rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, classic-spy

Like all of you I'm sure, I have a large unread book pile. however, at least once a year I'm drawn to re-reading my absolute favorites. not sure why, it's like an old pair of jeans that are worn in and fit just right. I'm drawn to this book. I vacillate between this and "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" as to which is more perfect. right now I choose this one (and reserve the right to flip-flop again) this book is hauntingly, achingly the most subtlety perfect reflection of the spy genre. JLC ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 13, 2016 Bradley West rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, thrillers

I first read "Tinker, Tailor" almost thirty years ago when it first came out, and twice subsequently. As a reader, I was captivated by le Carre's mastery of setting, character and plot. I still recall one reviewer's blurb declaring that le Carre wasn't just the best mystery writer around, he was the best novelist of our time. So I knew I wasn't the only one in the JlC fan club.

Two years back I reread the book as I started writing my first novel. Why not study the best, right? This experiment did ...more

1 like · Like · see review