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theseventhl's review against another edition
5.0
I stayed up until early this morning finishing the third and final book in the Karla Trilogy, and now I really deeply miss reading about George Smiley and his issues. I know there's at least one more Smiley book after this one - not to mention all the Smiley books that are set before the Karla Trilogy - but it almost seems like not enough. This book was brilliant, thrilling, and a great conclusion to a legendary battle of the spies. Too bad there wasn't more Guillam, but this was Smiley's mission, after all. Can't wait to see the movie adaptation of this.
matt_mcdonald94's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
srhhelm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jdmcn's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
duparker's review against another edition
3.0
I love the intelligence and the methodology that is the backing of the story. LeCarre is such a master of sorry driven spy novels that don't rely on technology or crazy gun play. This book had some great overtone and complex end points to multiple storylines throughout the series. 3.5 stars.
emilitsa's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
4.0
After the jet-setting of The Honourable Schoolboy, this is a return to classic Smiley territory. London, Berlin, and other parts of Europe. If you like Smiley (as I do) then this book is great. You feel his frustrations, you are in awe of his tenacity, his methodical weaving of the story, you understand his existential crises, overridden by his sense of duty. The story is similar in many ways to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, though much more straight-forward, and then, ultimately, perhaps not quite as satisfying. While TTSS is bamboozling in its complexities, in the end this feels like it comes a bit too easy.
It is a suitable and satisfying conclusion to the Karla trilogy, but, although I did not feel this during the reading of it, in retrospect it is perhaps a little anticlimactic as a story in its own right.
It is a suitable and satisfying conclusion to the Karla trilogy, but, although I did not feel this during the reading of it, in retrospect it is perhaps a little anticlimactic as a story in its own right.
stevenyenzer's review
4.0
Last book of 2019! So glad I continued on with this "trilogy" after the disappointing The Honourable Schoolboy. Smiley's People starts a little slow but soon begins to unfold just as thrillingly as any le Carré I've read. I understand this is Smiley's last outing for awhile — it was a good send-off.
bluestarfish's review
4.0
Smiley comes back from retirement to tidy up after one of 'his' people gets shot in the face on Hampstead Heath. Drawn into whatever Vladimir was up to during his last days takes Smiley back into the game. The atmosphere created is quite remarkable, and the murky tension of questionable actions and methods in this slow-paced but enjoyable read make this a very readable conclusion to the 'Karla' trilogy. This is a far cry from the brashness of a James Bond type spy, but perhaps more interesting because of that too.