Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

by John le Carré

Paperback, 400 pages

English language

Published Sept. 11, 2011 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-311978-4

The man he knew as “Control” is dead, and the young Turks who forced him out now run the Circus. But George Smiley isn’t quite ready for retirement—especially when a pretty, would-be defector surfaces with a shocking accusation: a Soviet mole has penetrated the highest level of British Intelligence. Relying only on his wits and a small, loyal cadre, Smiley recognizes the hand of Karla—his Moscow Centre nemesis—and sets a trap to catch the traitor.

(source: Penguin Random House)

4 editions

matthewmincher reviewed Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré

Antidote to Bond

4 stars

This was a well written, atmospheric read.

A hunt for a mole inside the British secret service. I'm not sure I paid enough attention to the detail and references to get the most out of this - one for a reread I think.

It's not fast paced, or classically thrilling; it's engaging in a different suspenseful way.

That said, I don't think I'm rushing to read others in the series just now.

This was a well written, atmospheric read.

A hunt for a mole inside the British secret service. I'm not sure I paid enough attention to the detail and references to get the most out of this - one for a reread I think.

It's not fast paced, or classically thrilling; it's engaging in a different suspenseful way.

That said, I don't think I'm rushing to read others in the series just now.

Jordan Brock reviewed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré

Incredibly well written spy drama

5 stars

A book that is written to be read carefully, taking your time to enjoy the craftsmanship at work.

Dimitri Mollo reviewed Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré

Gripping, difficult to put down

5 stars

This is a great spy thriller, unconventional in many ways. The world-building is extremely convincing, so much so that some of the invented slang for spycraft seeped into the actual world. The writing is engaging and elegant, and, as befits a thriller, once started it's tricky to stop!

jsatk@sfba.club reviewed Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré

Review of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Took me longer than I’d like. Le Carré’s writing can be painfully obtuse sometimes and require a reread. This book seethes Britishness; its prose, how people talk, how people act, etc. Theres almost no actual action and yet it is a thriller. And much like Cormac is to westerns, le Carré is not just writing a spy novel. He's asking the big questions while doing it.