drdreuh's review
3.0
A curious little spy story. My expectations were high for Graham Greene novel, but "The Confidential Agent" reads more like a short story. A snippet, or sketch on the way to a more fleshed out book. Amusing, but not particularly captivating.
The London geography is fun. I'm not sure I understood a few key plot points (wait - why did she get thrown out the window), and the characters' motivations and relationships seemed forced (wait - when did this love affair launch?). ... But it was fun.
The London geography is fun. I'm not sure I understood a few key plot points (wait - why did she get thrown out the window), and the characters' motivations and relationships seemed forced (wait - when did this love affair launch?). ... But it was fun.
8797999's review against another edition
3.0
Again a bit similar to Stamboul Train, I enjoyed it but I have read better. I did enjoy the ending, abrupt as though it was.
Not one I would read again though.
Not one I would read again though.
ftremlett24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
andrewacashner's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dani_benittez7's review against another edition
3.0
Siendo honesta al principio me aburrió bastante y me costo agarrarle un ritmo agradable. La historia nos lleva con el agente D y su misión para comprar carbón en Inglaterra. Me gusto la atmosfera de la historia y cerca de la mitad me empezó a parecer interesante. La historia me parece bien escrita, esta llena de sorpresas y a pesar de que la historia me estaba gustando el final no me gustó mucho.
“Cuánta traición se alimenta siempre en pequeños centros sobrecargados de trabajo del idealismo de otra persona.”
“Cuánta traición se alimenta siempre en pequeños centros sobrecargados de trabajo del idealismo de otra persona.”
sixdaysago's review
4.0
Despite a perhaps rushed ending, this thriller was exceptionally entertaining and amusing.
chalicotherex's review
2.0
Read this because I heard the protagonist is supposed to be a professor concerned with The Song of Roland, one of my favourites. There's not much of it in the book, though. There's an interesting premise and I like that the spy is permanently broke and is always looked down on by the snooty British as a foreigner. Makes for a contrast to the sort of thing you expect from a spy novel after Ian Fleming. On the other hand, the action is boring and none of the secondary characters feel real enough for you to care about them.
strong_extraordinary_dreams's review
3.0
A perfectly acceptable novel with a plot, a few coincidences and a twist or two.
Not as intense as one would expect from Mr Greene and given and maybe a slight softening around the waist, it's obvious why he initally published it under a pseudonym.
Happy to have read it, but The Confidential Agent changed neither my nor anyone's lives, I think.
Not as intense as one would expect from Mr Greene and given
Spoiler
the happy endingHappy to have read it, but The Confidential Agent changed neither my nor anyone's lives, I think.