Helpful Score: 2
A great thriller novel. I love that the majority of it is dialogue between the characters. The writing is rich and powerful. Descriptions are lifelike. And the story itself is really engaging.
Helpful Score: 1
Le Carre weaves a complex and compelling story of international finance and criminal elements of the new Russian states. He doesn't disappoint as a master storyteller who can move beyond the cold war to tackle social issues of post war Europe. A fantastic story, complex characters and plot twists that leave you guessing...what more can you ask for?!
A must read for all LeCarre fans. This novel is a story of criminal syndicates in the new Russia and the corruption that spills over to the world of Western finance.
First one of Le Carre's books that I have totally understood.
John LeCarre, a quiet weekend, a good supply of tea and cookies, and you're settled in for a great experience with this book.
Families, corruption, Russians.
The ending was a bit of a let-down logically, but overall a very good read.
Classic Lecarre... very good.
Another suspense heavy on espionage with plenty of plot twists and turns.
From Single & Single's 'tour de force opening", le Carrie masterfully establishes a sequence of events whose connections are mysterious, complex and compelling. He fashions a story of corrupt liaisons between criminal syndicates in the new Russian states and the legitimate world of Western finance. He also intimately portrays two families: one Russian, the other English; one trading illicit goods, the other laundering the profits; one betrayed by a son in law the other betrayed and redeemed by a son. An enthralling, multilayered tale by an author at the height of his creative powers.
From the back of this incredible tale:
"From SINGLE & SINGLE's "tour de force opening" (Kirkus Reviews), le Carre masterfully establishes a sequence of events whose connections are mysterious, complex, and compelling. He fashions a story of corrupt liasions between criminal syndicates in the new Russian states and the legitimate world of Western finance. He also intimately protrays two families: one Russian, the other English; one trading illicit goods, the other laundering the profits; one betrayed by a son-in-law, the other betrayed-and redeemed-by a son. An enthralling, multilayered tale by an author at the height of his creative powers, SINGLE & SINGLE is le Carre's finest novel in years."
"From SINGLE & SINGLE's "tour de force opening" (Kirkus Reviews), le Carre masterfully establishes a sequence of events whose connections are mysterious, complex, and compelling. He fashions a story of corrupt liasions between criminal syndicates in the new Russian states and the legitimate world of Western finance. He also intimately protrays two families: one Russian, the other English; one trading illicit goods, the other laundering the profits; one betrayed by a son-in-law, the other betrayed-and redeemed-by a son. An enthralling, multilayered tale by an author at the height of his creative powers, SINGLE & SINGLE is le Carre's finest novel in years."
I loved this book. It is a terrific spy novel.
Very interesting book ARC