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Book Reviews of The Honourable Schoolboy

The Honourable Schoolboy
The Honourable Schoolboy
Author: John Le Carre
ISBN-13: 9780553274370
ISBN-10: 0553274376
Publication Date: 1/1/1985
Pages: 576
Edition: Reissue
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 4

3.8 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

4 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Honourable Schoolboy on + 683 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Carre simplest fictional sky master.
thriller
jeffp avatar reviewed The Honourable Schoolboy on + 201 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
For the first three quarters or so I thought this was probably the best Le Carre I've read so far. Then some things happened that I didn't believe, and all bets were off.

Overall the story was good - following the middle part of the end of George Smiley's career - but I've noted something about the writing in these books now that bugs me: the point of view wanders. Sometimes it's omniscient, sometimes it's from the perspective of a single character, sometimes it's from the perspective of some review or report written after the fact, and so on. The changes aren't clearly delineated, and (in fact) I think I saw changes of these sorts mid chapter.

I'm not sure what to make of Le Carre's take on his characters either. No one is presented in a great light, but perhaps that has to do with the nature of the spy business.

In any case the Karla trilogy was very popular and makes for interesting reading, even if there are some issues with the writing.
MediumDebbi avatar reviewed The Honourable Schoolboy on + 92 more book reviews
(From the backcover) George Smiley, LeCarre's most famous hero,has become chief of the battered British Secret Service. The betrayal of Soviet double agent has riddled the spy network. Smiley wants revenge. He chooses "The Honourable Schoolboy" Jeffery Westerby, passionate lover and reckless secret agent. He points him east to Hong Kong, so begins the terrifying game.
reviewed The Honourable Schoolboy on + 17 more book reviews
Another great espionage tale involving George Smiley!

George Smiley has become chief of the battered British Secret Service. The betrayals of a Soviet double agent have riddled the spy network. Smiley wants revenge. He chooses his weapon: Jerry Westerby, the "Honourable Schoolboy", a passionate lover and a seasoned, reckless secret agent. So begins the terrifying game....