inquisitive_chap's review against another edition
1.0
I thought this a very poor novel, which was a shame as I enjoyed Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
Firstly, it's WAY too long for the material covered. There appears to have been little rigour in editing it and - in consequence - it drags on interminably. Despite its length the characters introduced don't really gain any depth. The amount of stories about them provide breadth but little that really explores them in any kind of deep way.
The plot itself is ridiculous and fantastical. That isn't in itself a problem as spy novels are a break from reality. But this manages to be fantastical yet dull. Many of the encounters are just ridiculous. There's no pace until the penultimate chapter.
And even the ending is a complete damp squib
I know it isn't narrated by a main character but there are frequent inclusions of uncommon words which seem out of place in the book and maybe are designed to show off the author's vocabulary.
It was a real struggle to finish it and I only did because I found the previous book better and I wanted to find out the next stage in the Karla trilogy.
Really very poor
Firstly, it's WAY too long for the material covered. There appears to have been little rigour in editing it and - in consequence - it drags on interminably. Despite its length the characters introduced don't really gain any depth. The amount of stories about them provide breadth but little that really explores them in any kind of deep way.
The plot itself is ridiculous and fantastical. That isn't in itself a problem as spy novels are a break from reality. But this manages to be fantastical yet dull. Many of the encounters are just ridiculous. There's no pace until the penultimate chapter.
And even the ending is a complete damp squib
I know it isn't narrated by a main character but there are frequent inclusions of uncommon words which seem out of place in the book and maybe are designed to show off the author's vocabulary.
It was a real struggle to finish it and I only did because I found the previous book better and I wanted to find out the next stage in the Karla trilogy.
Really very poor
dflevitt's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
clarkness's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
3.5
cariadreads's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
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 .