... on to my opinion of "The Russia House".
The book is an in depth tale of how a lazy publisher (Blair) with a penchant for self-destruction and jazz finds himself deeply involved in the hopeful defection of a Russian scientist, Goethe.
Blair bumps into Goethe at a chance gathering during ... Read review
Advantages: Great Author and story Disadvantages: Takes longer than normal to become hooked
Before I tell you about the book, just to remind those who don't know Le Carre that you don't pick up a John Le Carre book to be amazed with the flash-bang action of modern spy thrillers. John Le Carre writes 'spy literature', a look at the workings and emotions felt by his characters in the espionage trade, he was after-all a spy himself before he started writing, so much is from experiences. Like meeting a life-long friend for the first time, you ... ...reading is about patience.. the story and characters will appear... Just pretend you're a spy..!
Anyway... on to my opinion of "The Russia House".
The book is an in depth tale of how a lazy publisher (Blair) with a penchant for self-destruction and jazz finds himself deeply involved in the hopeful defection of a Russian scientist, Goethe.
Blair bumps into Goethe at a chance gathering during ... more
Before I tell you about the book, just to remind those who don't know Le Carre that you don't pick up a John Le Carre book to be amazed with the flash-bang action of modern spy thrillers. John Le Carre writes 'spy literature', a look at the workings and emotions felt by his characters in the espionage trade, he was after-all a spy himself before he started writing, so much is from experiences. Like meeting a life-long friend for the first time, you come to know his characters, and if patient enough, actually care about them. Basically Le Carre reading is about patience.. the story and characters will appear... Just pretend you're a spy..!
Anyway... on to my opinion of "The Russia House".
The book is an in depth tale of how a lazy publisher (Blair) with a penchant for self-destruction and jazz finds himself deeply involved in the hopeful defection of a Russian scientist, Goethe.
Blair bumps into Goethe at a chance gathering during the hopeful glimmer of glasnost. Goethe overhears Blair's recited philosophical remarks for a hopeful future between the West and Communist Russia. The conspiracy begins.
Le Carre then steers us through how a communique meant for Blair is intercepted, which is where essentially we begin our journey. We are taken to London, Moscow, an island off the coast of New England, and Leningrad in the attempt to confirm Blair in his new job of spy and get the elusive scientist to switch sides. However, Blair wasn't expecting to fall in love with Goethe's emmisary, and a whole new tasteful spin is added to the spy novel. Le Carre's characters here are equally intimate and distant, ans of course, shrouded in secrecy...so very human. So, not to spoil the book, I'll stop there... but just to say that it is worth finishing!
Through all of this, Le Carre gives us a brief view of life for both the Westerners and Easterners in Communist Russia. The shadows of of the east are never dismissed lightly, but rather the hope that was future and democracy shines through the murky depths of espionage and intrigue.
Some fans of the George Smiley books may find themselves disappointed with reading "The Russia House", but I think fans of Le Carre as a writer will be very satisifed. Not his best work, but still a good read.. (Also of course on screen now too.. but read the book first!)
Personally, I'd still read the Smiley books first, if you're new to Le Carre... they are certainly his best works..
Advantages: One of le Carre's more accessible books Disadvantages: None
I have read The Russia House several times. As a woman, I find it more accessible than some of le Carre's other books, for example The Spy who came in from the Cold, or the more recent Absolute Friends. This is because the story contains a strong female character, and a romantic plotline.
One of the main strengths of the book, now that decades have passed since it was written, is that is really captures the Glasnost era atmosphere in the 'former ... ...can live in it through the book. The earnestness of the Russians and their idealism looks ever more sad and painful as time passes now. For women readers I would also recommend The Little Drummer Girl by le Carre - another one with a strong female lead character and a romantic plot. Is the harder hitting book of the two. Plot
Hard drinking dissilusioned Soviet phycisist Yakov wants to spill the beans about missiles programmes to ease his political ...
kittenkong 30.10.2005 (31.10.2005)
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