Smiley's People

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Quest for Karla
Review: Smiley's people does not have the suspense of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; or have the action and tension of The Honourable Schoolboy. Smiley's people is a about people, and the weakness of character that spy craft thrives on. There are no poorly written characters in this book and I could not put the book down because I was drawn into the life and emotions of George Smiley. I could sympathize with his inability to use scotch tape, amoung other defining charactistics. A brillent book, and recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Quest for Karla
Review: Smiley's people does not have the suspense of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; or have the action and tension of The Honourable Schoolboy. Smiley's people is a about people, and the weakness of character that spy craft thrives on. There are no poorly written characters in this book and I could not put the book down because I was drawn into the life and emotions of George Smiley. I could sympathize with his inability to use scotch tape, amoung other defining charactistics. A brillent book, and recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The very best there is
Review: Smiley's People is simply the very best there is. There is absorbing power in its dramatic narrative that won't let go. At the beginning, you have no idea what's going on, and as you move through, you don't want to find out, because you don't want it to end. I read this book over 20 years, saw the movie with Alec Guiness. The burning of agent Gregorian, while Smiley wipes his tie with his glasses, is a stunning piece of writing, as is Karla coming across the bridge at the end into Smiley's ambiguous victory (yes, I suppose I did [win]). Thank you John Le Carre for the pleasure of reading this book!

Rating:
Summary: The very best there is
Review: Smiley's People is simply the very best there is. There is absorbing power in its dramatic narrative that won't let go. At the beginning, you have no idea what's going on, and as you move through, you don't want to find out, because you don't want it to end. I read this book over 20 years, saw the movie with Alec Guiness. The burning of agent Gregorian, while Smiley wipes his tie with his glasses, is a stunning piece of writing, as is Karla coming across the bridge at the end into Smiley's ambiguous victory (yes, I suppose I did [win]). Thank you John Le Carre for the pleasure of reading this book!

Rating:
Summary: Le Carre's best
Review: The most remarkable procedural thriller I have read, surpassing even "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Hints and suggestions held together by a narrative which even by Le Carre's standrads is extraordinary. The novel takes the story of Smiley and his arch rival Karla to a wonderfully gripping yet human conclusion. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: Le Carre's best
Review: The most remarkable procedural thriller I have read, surpassing even "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Hints and suggestions held together by a narrative which even by Le Carre's standrads is extraordinary. The novel takes the story of Smiley and his arch rival Karla to a wonderfully gripping yet human conclusion. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This book is a classic because of the intricacies of its plot and its singular quality as a work of literature. It is, in fact, the finest spy novel ever written.

Rating:
Summary: The best book John le Carre has written so far.
Review: This is in my opinion, and I have read every one of John le Carre's novels and have written a book about them, his finest book. It features le Carre's most memorable character, George Smiley, on his ultimate quest for his nemesis Karla. "The last scene, the dnouement of both this novel and the trilogyis, I believe, the most moving that le Carre has written. Like a narrative laser beam, it poignantly fuses the themes [dealt with in his novels] in a concentrated drama." (Myron J. Aronoff, The Spy Novels of John le Carre: Balancing Ethics and Politics, St. Martin's, 1999).

Rating:
Summary: Conclusion of one of the best modern trilogies ever written
Review: This is the last volume in a trilogy which, without any doubt, the best spy story ever written in English. _Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy_ began it with the story of George Smiley?s uncovering of the mole in British Intelligence HQ, known as "the Circus." _The Honourable Schoolboy_ -- which largely stands alone from the first and third books, and is a superior piece of work by itself -- tells of Smiley?s first steps toward revenge against Karla, head of Moscow Centre and his personal enemy for nearly thirty years . . . only to be denied the fruits of his own success by political machinations at home. _Smiley?s People_ brings everything to a very satisfying conclusion, via the discovery that Karla has an unsuspected human side, which makes him vulnerable. As always, Le Carre?s development of his characters is masterful and his dialogue and descriptive passages make it clear why, at his best, he is considered an exceptional stylist. The pace of the action in the early part of the book is purposely rather slow, drawing you in, making you pay attention to what?s happening and thinking about what secrets might be behind it all -- just as one imagines George is doing. But as the story develops, the pace picks up, until the last quarter is nearly a headlong gallop toward a triumphant final chapter. Unreservedly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: More than just a spy novel
Review: Tinker, tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People are the greatest espionage novels. Not only are they exceptionally well plotted, but are explorations into the ultimately self destructive characters of divided men. These two novels should be read after reading may other thriller/espionage novels, otherwise few other tales will meet expectations.