This was probably one of the most disappointing books I have read thus far into the challenge... and in actual fact is probably one of the most disappointing books I have ever read. Which is a shame because as spy fiction goes, Le Carre is supposed to be one of the best.
So what went wrong? Quite simply there was no suspense or drama. Unlike Larsson or Christie you aren't solving the crime as the book goes on, instead you are sitting in the room with Smiley as he reads quietly to himself. Every now and then, Smiley goes to visit someone, or Le Carre takes a break from describing Smiley making notes to introduce us to someone else, but realistically there is nothing that makes me want to keep turning the page, other than to get to the end!!
All of this however could have been saved by a typical spy/crime story reveal... and yet again Le Carre decides to leave you in the other room with Smiley, while the establishment has a chat with the spy next door! After 360-odd pages of accompanying Smiley, the least Le Carre could have done was let us in on the conversation!
Too many names, too much confusion and a real lack of suspense leads this to definitely not being one I would recommend.
I tried to read this and gave up but I do intend to go back. I read 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' and it was actually really good. I think his style is a bit more deliberate than the likes of Christie, and Smiley comes across as a slower character but I still rather enjoyed my first Le Carre book and I will go back to Tinker, Taylor, Soldier Spy eventually.
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