A review by zach_collins
Our Kind of Traitor by John le Carré

2.0

Our Kind of Traitor is a ho-hum “thriller” that contains very little action or explanation; whenever the protagonists aren’t playing or watching tennis, they are reciting long lists of characters who seem vaguely important but only giving the most cursory reasons why they are mentioned. There was an attempt at injecting some suspense through a non-linear structure, but the frequently changing narrators and perspectives is jarring at times and never once feels necessary. I did appreciate the verbal sparring, but even that became grating when it became obvious the author considers snarky wit as adequate characterization. As much as I enjoyed the clever banter early on, it annoyed me that every character spoke in the same sarcastic voice. I’ve heard Le Carre writes the best spy novels, but reading Our Kind of Traitor is about as fun as sitting through a staff meeting.