Reviews

Der Ewige Gärtner by John le Carré

lcjda's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.0

hadeanstars's review against another edition

3.0

Expertly written as ever, but not for me one of his best. Le Carré’s oblique style doesn’t suit this rather by the numbers thriller in the way it has a symmetry with his spy fiction. It has its moments, but the central characters felt too distant to me.

noam's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

giuliana_ferrari's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

payindigo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kieranhealy's review against another edition

5.0

I'll keep it brief. This is an exceptional book. There is a palpable anger in what John le Carré does here that I don't recall in his earlier books, but I will have to go back and read some to remember. Frustration, yes. Intensity, sure. But there's almost an understated rage here that draws the reader in and sets them on the path along side the protagonist, Justin Quayle. The conclusion may seem inevitable to some, but in this case I am completely fine with the journey anyway. My only quibble: It takes a bit too long setting up the players and the story, but once it does there is no turning back.

pluviosity's review against another edition

2.0

This book didn't impress me much, but after my friend--who usually shares the same taste--protested when I gave my opinion, I'm thinking about giving this book a second chance. Maybe someday.

brig_berthold's review against another edition

3.0

That ending!

This was far better than I expected it to be. All I knew was that I love this author. Once again, he didn't disappoint.

c_ward68's review against another edition

3.0

My first Le Carre and I’m in two minds. Excellently written, I like his concise prose and unflowery style. But I didn’t really ‘get’ the story: the relationships with all but Ham were elusive, Tessa and Arnold were completely unbelievable, the point of Justin’s quest seemed disappointingly unfulfilled. I suppose I expected more of a final catharsis, an objective gained, but ended up with Justin’s unsatisfying amble around the world telling us again everything that had already been set out early on. All a bit polemical and dull.

mollymccall's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

4.0