minorcan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
stepheniscowboy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
barney100's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sfletcher26's review against another edition
3.0
Finished at last. Bloody hell this was a bit of a grind in places. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this but it was just a bit too rambling at times. Not the best of the Smiley series I'm affraid not by a long way.
hotsake's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
The story was fine, and the writing was good but I just didn't care and I don't think I'll continue with this series.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
4.0
After the sublime "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy" my expectations were high. "The Honourable Schoolboy" is Jerry Westerby, who is not a schoolboy at all but a semi-retired spy. Nor is he particularly honourable, but then the spy business doesn't really encourage that I suppose, what with the sneakiness. I didn't find Jerry an engaging character. This is not le Carrés fault. Jerry just wasn't my type, but then I'm sure I'm not his either. As already established in TTSS, bitches be crazy, and Jerry doesn't care for that. While Jerry was banging girls who reminded him of his daughter, I was pining for Smiley and Connie and Guillam. They appear way too briefly, although they make it count (I could a read a whole book with Guillam vexedly trying to stop Fawn from breaking the bones of street urchins). It's so well written and atmospheric that I'll round it up from 3,5 stars, but the final Karla-book better contain more London fog and post-divorce Smiley .
jazzypizzaz's review against another edition
3.0
I continue to love Le Carre's prose, and I enjoyed the parts with Smiley et al rebuilding the Circus post-mole. The Eastern theater was also a refreshing setting change, except for all the racism/Orientalism and that I couldn't bring myself to care at all about Jerry or the actual spy plot.
adamsaxon's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0