The Master story teller at his best

An excellently narrated (Michael Jayston's narrations of JLC are the best) story with great background details. John le Carré will be much missed by me and his legion of fans as we always waited with ancipation for each new book. So from now I will simply be re-reading. Recommendion for anyone who is not used to this sort of prose: not suitable of interrupted listening as one really needs to follow the story. There are no words or sentences that shouldn't be there.

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Michael Jayson

Michael Jayson as always is the perfect teller of John le Carre stories with credible accents of the players.

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felt the story did not go anywhere.

There is a long slow build up to something that does not happen the story just ends

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A mixed response

Narrative pace inconsistent, flagged in places, bogged down by unnecessary biographical details of officials. At other times action too hasty follow. Central character's motivation also inconsistent and unconvincing. I enjoyed it but consider it flawed.

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Recommend read

Le Carré at his best dark but thought provoking. Speaking as a humanitarian I found this book an amazing reflection on conflict, propaganda and that we need to be mindful in making assumptions on right and wrong - justice and injustice.

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Probably his best since ‘The Little Drummer Girl’

Le Carré is back to his imperious best with this one, probably his best novel since ‘The Little Drummer Girl’ twenty-five years earlier.

It begins, rather similarly to ‘Absolute Friends,’ with a mysterious character arriving on the scene in Germany — Hamburg in this case — who is named Issa, a Chechen Muslim who has escaped from torture in Russia and in Turkey, and is looking for a place to hide from the authorities.

What follows is a terrific story of intrigue and subterfuge, as numerous well-wishers find themselves inextricably involved in Issa’s life. But the German authorities are also onto him…

The story is interesting throughout, and right up until the end — an end to which the tension gradually but perceptibly builds and builds — you genuinely don’t know which way it’s going to go. And the name of the mysterious refugee, Issa — i.e., Arabic for Jesus — is not without its significance, as becomes clear by the end.

There was one very curious reference in the story, which is worth a mention. It occurs in chapter 2, at 10º49’ from the end of the audiobook. As narrator, le Carré refers to the ancient philosopher Socrates, as if Socrates were one of the great writers of human history: whereas, in fact, Socrates wrote not a thing. It’s hard to believe le Carré was unaware of this. (There is a later writer, Socrates, a Church historian, but clearly he isn’t intended.) A rare le Carré factual error?

Michael Jayston’s narration is, as ever, superb. He seems to have been made for this rôle.

All in all, excellent.

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Not his best work.

As a fan of the Author ot pains me to say this was a bit of a struggle to get through. The characters were unpleasant and implausible. The plot was almost non-existent and the story just dragged. Compared to other Le Carre novels this is a weak effort. Very disappointing.

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3 people found this helpful

Nice one John !

Good book and a good story, well read by the classic voice of John LeCarre
- Michael Jayston.

The plot explains very eloquently the complex financial methods of international terrorists. Incidents like this fill out a new screens.

I plan to buy the DVD and watch the film in the near future.

X-ray Mike

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Great Listen

Great Listen with amazing twists and turns. I wonder if there is scope for a sequel.

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1 person found this helpful

Started slowly but built well.

John le Carre as always good. not much of a story but interesting and atmospheric as usual. Well worth a listen.

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