Single & Single
Written: Sep 09 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent plot, strong narrative voice, interesting characters
Cons: Perhaps a little complicated
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| kiersten's Full Review: Single & Single Books |
John LeCarre’s most recent novel, Single & Single, is another engrossing tale from one of the finest novelists writing today. This tale of shady dealings in the emerging post-Soviet republics is, of all things, a page-turner, and presents an engrossing portrait of its main character.
While Single & Single isn’t on par with The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, LeCarre is still a master of the form. Part of what makes him so remarkable is his ability to subtly weave political allegories throughout an intricate plot, which deals with the main character’s search for his father, both literally and figuratively. As usual with LeCarre, you’ll have to pay attention—I’ve often thought that it would help to take notes—but I found these characters to be more engaging than those in his recent novels. He seems to be more comfortable with his characters back in England, rather than the Panama of his last book. And the exploration of the father-son relationship has always been fertile ground for this author.
Of course, we all still miss George Smiley, LeCarre’s signature character. But the author was probably right to retire him at the end of the Cold War. As Single & Single helps show, the heroes, villains , and conflicts aren’t quite so clear any more.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kiersten
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Member: Kiersten Conner-Sax
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 14 members
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