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Summary: One of the best I've ever read. Most crafty fiction ever
Review: I wish I had not read this spy book first. Now, all others pale in comparison. It is the gratest spy story ever written, The best I have ever read. Skipping the few paragraphs of phylosophy near the end, If you love mystery, or even books in general, your life is not complete untill you read this book.
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Summary: More than just the greatest spy story every written
Review: If it is true that every author has one great book in him, then for John Le Carre this is the one. Many of his other novels are indeed excellent spy stories (especially Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), but in my opinion The Spy Who Came In From The Cold actually rises to the level literature. The Cold War is recent history, but this book tells us more about that period than anything else written so far. It is probably also the definitive work on spies and espionage, and will stand the test of time. A great book.
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Summary: this book opened my eyes to the idea of spying past J bond
Review: I am a student in year 11 who has read" the spy who came in from the cold". I found that this book showed me a sort of dark reality that other spy stories/ films did not. Here i am talking about 007 films. For me the films while they gave me pleasure to watch. i found that after reading " the spy who came in from the cold" it showed me a reality that 007 does not touch upon. For example the political issues that are in the book would not be suited to a 007 film. We could not have any smart one liners from james on the comminist regime, now could we. also in 007 films james bond who personers the "spy" gets with so many girls it becomes a joke { in the one film he may end up with 3 -4}. The book has none of that . Leamas has only one girl and that is Liz not really put up as a" bombshell blond". Also Leamas does not have martinies "shaken not sturied"
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Summary: Tragic...fascinating
Review: Those who like their spy aristocratic, romantic, brimming with boyish charm, and with ever a clever remark or sexual pun up his Armani sleeve should run--fast--from this book. For le Carre is a realist spy novelist with little interest in how many willing damsels his hero can bag, and less interest in crafting a spy that would be capable of such seduction anyway. But he has written the best novel ever about spies who would not be spies, everyday people except with guns and fancy cars, who are burned out with all of the killing but are tragically too good at it to escape the game. Possibly, it is just the best novel about spies ever, period. Alec Leamas is James Bond without charm, good looks, unflappable bravado, and humor: in short, he is an ordinary man.But The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is no ordinary spy novel.
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Summary: wonderful
Review: This is probably the best spy novel ever written. The prose is nearly as hard and lean as Hemingway's; the plot is intricate and gripping; the fantasy is austere and very satisfying. This is John LeCarre's third novel, and although his first two feature his continually recurring master spy George Smiley, they were really detective novels (fine in their way). After reading 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' you may be frustrated trying to find another John LeCarre as entertaining. I suggest you go straight to 'The Russia House'. Also recommended: PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns
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Summary: A Good book if you like suspence and mystery.
Review: This was a book with a good plot. It got you envolved with the story. I would recomend this boo k to any one who likes books that make you feel like your a part of them.
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Summary: Le Carre's Best...
Review: This is it - the best spy novel ever written, so good that not even Le Carre has ever been able to match it. If your image of espionage is formed by the cheesy gadgetry and high adventure of James Bond, then get ready for one very rude awakening. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a heartbreaking story, full of lonely people sadly making their way through a cold world - the Cold War was never more chilly than it is here. It's a sad and depressing book, but a smashingly good one, too. Read it.
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Summary: A THOUGHTFUL AND BELIEVABLE "WHO DUNNIT."
Review: Leemus, a British spy is put out to pasture, or is he? Is he a down on his luck British spy "has been?" Or is this part of a well crafted plot by the Brits to lure Soviet agents to this potential defector so that he can transmit misinformation to the Soviets which will result in the disgrace of a high ranking and very successful Soviet spy, Mundt? These and other questions abound as you read this book through the narration at times of Leemus and the other characters. I enjoyed this book. It's intricate yet simple story plot is believable and disarming. After reading this book , I am very interested in reading others of this author.
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Summary: A Stark Portrait of Espionage
Review: This was a great book. It stripped off the window dressing and supposed glamour of the world of espionage, showing us the unpleasant, seedy and labyrinthine side of a spy's existence. Le Carre gives us a look under a rock by introducing us to Alec Leamas, a boozing, brawling, disgruntled former British intelligence officer and veteran of Cold War Berlin intrigues, who "defects" as part of a painstakingly laid plan to discredit a mole/double agent within East German Intelligence who has been feeding the Brits secrets but also systematically blowing their carefully built-up spy networks in the East. The East Germans believe Leamas and execute the mole. Only then does Leamas learn the truth: the "mole" was innocent, the East Germans were getting suspicious of the actual spy, and Leamas was sent in to save his skin by handing his superiors a sacrificial lamb. The highly-placed agent spying for the British -- who has indeed blown British spy cells but is really a TRIPLE agent that London wants saved for a rainy day, arranges for Leamas and his girlfriend, a bona fide member of the Communist Party of Great Britain delivered into the hands of the East Germans through the secret machinations of MI6 to keep Leamas in line -- to escape back to the West. But unknown to Leamas, yet another secret agreement has occurred. The girl is killed as she and Leamas attempt to get over the Berlin Wall, and Leamas makes a decidedly final act of protest in response to the sordid demands and inherent treachery of his profession. A powerful book.
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Summary: twists, turns and traitors...
Review: this is a great book - the first Le Carre i have ever read. It is deceptive because there isnt much "action" to speak of yet it is so involved and engrossing to read. Its a very good read, and i feel Le Carre manages to say so much about the cold war and the sides involved without ever really spelling it out. I originally hated the ending, but in the context of the book it makes perfect sense!!
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