Customer Reviews
Clever - By: S. Dusting, 11 Oct 2008 
Although I read this a while ago now I would say it is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a world weary main character & a fantastic plot that twists & turns & keeps you reading on into the night & what an ending. Utterly sad but brilliant for it. And I never knew human beings could be so devious & clever as the British secret service agents are here. A must read
This book by John Le Carre was a bit slow in starting - By: Andy Capp, 12 Jul 2008 
This book by John Le Carre was a bit slowin starting but then the plot quickened & as I read I thought I was on the journey.
I thought there were two many charactersin the book & as a result I believe this is why the plot was slowed down.
Alec Lemas I thought was a shady character & the girl called Liz who worked at the library I believe really loved him & the two met because Alec worked at the library. Liz's colleague at the library was a very strict woman & as I read you could tell she did not like Lemas.
The end of the book was very surprising & I won't spoil it for anyone who has not read it but the book was not bad.
Enthralling... - By: Sarah Gooding, 15 Feb 2008 I've read many John Le Carre novels, & this one is of the same high quality that I have come to expect from this world class story teller. His ability to capitivate the reader with a solid progressive plot & believable charators is second to none. While writing this review I would also like to recommend 'The Constantine Legacy' by Andrew Towning. His Jake Dillon charactor is also well worth a read.
Stunning spy story - By: Mr. S. Harris, 13 Feb 2008 This is a stunning spy story about the human cost of the Cold War that practically invented a genre. Brilliantly plotted, authentic (the love interest works fine for me too) & chilling - with an ending to die for.
THE DEFINITE COLD WAR SPY STORY - By: NeuroSplicer, 29 Jan 2008 JOHN LeCARRE is not just a spy-story narrator, he is a GREAT writer! His prose is tight, imaginative & beautiful. His imagery is majestic. And his grasp of human nature is truly impressive.
This book was his first; no matter, most of his writing skills shine to full strength. At the hight of the Cold War, Alec Leamas is a British agent on a seemingly uncontrolled downwards spiral. After loosing one of his sources (shot & killed while crossing the Berlin wall), he is recalled back to London & then he experiences betrayal by every side imaginable. He resorts to drinking, & depressive thoughts, & revisiting the mistakes of his life. But of course the Game is played constantly & one should not trust anyone. Ever. In a world where double-crossings are common & triple-crossings not uncommon, can anyone trust long enough to find love?
This book conveyed such an original atmosphere that many suspected JOHN LeCARRE being a former MI6 insider. Those suspicions were latter confirmed (his secret agent status was blown by none other than Kim Philby, the notorious double agent for the KGB). This is definitely THE BEST spy story ever written!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
