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Title: Secret Pilgrim by John Le Carre ISBN: 0-345-37476-2 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 13 January, 1992 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.43 (7 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Great Book
Comment: This is one of my favorite Le Carre books. I admit that there are a few parts that may be dry, like the beginning, but other parts definately make up for it. I love that there are several stories that all tie up. This book reveals different aspects of the life of a spy. Makes you think about the job from different angles. I would recommend it to those who have the patience to get through a good book.
Rating: 3
Summary: I could read Le Carre's grocery list
Comment:
And probably still be enthralled. The man has one of the most engaging, fluid, and delightful prose styles of anyone I've ever read. When it's connected with a powerful story (such as the books of the Karla Trilogy) the result is overpowering. When combined with leftovers from that era the result is...still a damn good read. What stops it short of a great read (4 stars) or a masterwork (5 stars) is one simple problem: Ned's stories (in fact the character himself) isn't anywhere near as interesting as George Smiley. Smiley's presence in this book actually detracts from the stories. It's like dropping Luciano Pavarotti into a men's choir. You're so busy trying to hear *him* that you can't enjoy the rest of the music.
Anyway, this is not a novel, it's a collection of short stories. Very good short stories. Brilliant not only for their intrigue, but simply for their literary quality. You do have to get past a few Le Carre trademarks (a tendency towards glibness, and a seeming inability to create female characters who are more than just surface), but these are less flaws than simply elements of the Le Carre style. You won't notice them as you're reading the stories. You won't notice much of anything else, either; these stories are completely engrossing, the kind that have you up until the wee hours telling yourself "just one more...ok, two more."
The Secret Pilgrim, however, does suffer from focusing on the wrong character, "Ned" instead of George Smiley. It's not a big problem, but at some points during my reading I found myself saying "hold on, let Smiley tell a story!" Who among us wouldn't have preferred a collection of short stories about the Master instead of his Acolyte? A tale or two of Smiley's days in Germany during the War, a Haydon story (or three), a sidelight on what he was doing while working on the Dolphin case (Honourable Schoolboy), and--greatest lack of all!--more information on Karla's debriefing after "Smiley's People." Talk about someone who would have some stories!
I sincerely hope that, before he retires from the writing game, Le Carre revisits some of his characters from the Karla Trilogy. A collection of stories about Smiley, Karla, Haydon, Control, and even young Peter Guilliam would be most welcome. It's not that his newer work is bad, just that it is completely overshadowed by his earlier work.
RstJ
Rating: 1
Summary: How to review a book without reading it
Comment: I ordered The Secret Pilgrim last December. Since about mid December, you have told me it would be shipped in Jan. Today you say, "Order soon, only three in stock." Either send me the copy I paid for over four months ago or return my money. I am not interested in a credit with you, either the book or my money back, please.
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Title: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre ISBN: 0743457900 Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: A Perfect Spy by John le Carre ISBN: 0671042750 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Russia House by John Le Carre ISBN: 0671042793 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Looking Glass War by John Le Carre ISBN: 0743431707 Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: 01 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Smiley's People by John le Carre ISBN: 0671042769 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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