A Perfect Spy

by John le Carré
A Perfect Spy cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 4687
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780241322499
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2018-09-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Magnus Pym, a consummate Englishman and ranking diplomat, has gone missing. As the search for him intensifies, the layers of his life are peeled back, exposing a man who has played countless roles. From his unreliable con-man father to the mentors who shaped him, Pym's journey is one of constant reinvention and betrayal. Described by the author as his most autobiographical novel, A Perfect Spy delves into the psyche of a man who no longer knows who he truly is. Le Carré's masterpiece is not just a spy thriller but a profound exploration of identity and the human condition. Praised as one of the best English novels since the war, it offers a devastating portrayal of a life lived in shadows and secrets. The novel's intricate plot and deep character study make it a standout in the genre.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · Jake · 2024-10-27
mixed 3.50

The story is engaging but overly long, with a high-quality narrative style that can be tedious. It meets expectations but could be more concise.

Jake found the overall story of 'A Perfect Spy' to be good, though a bit too long for their taste. They appreciated the deep intimacy and high quality of the narrative style, even if it sometimes felt tedious. The book met their expectations, but they wished it had been more concise to maintain their interest throughout.

Quick quotes

    The overall story is good, if a bit too long.

    The method of telling it is of high quality and deep intimacy, if tedious.

    But it was a book that very much met my expectations.

Nick Wisseman · Nick Wisseman · 2021-03-25
positive 4.50

Le Carré's prose is elegant and affable, offering a sophisticated spy story without the typical action. The focus is on character and psychological depth.

Nick Wisseman praised Le Carré's prose for being both elegant and affable, noting that 'A Perfect Spy' is far from a typical James Bond story. There is minimal action, but plenty of psychological depth and character exploration. The reviewer appreciated the sophisticated narrative, which delves into the complexities of the characters and their relationships, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy intricate spy thrillers with a focus on human drama.

Quick quotes

    Le Carré's prose is both elegant and affable.

    What he lays out isn't a James Bond story; barely a shot is fired (although there is plenty of sex).

    It's a sophisticated narrative that delves into the complexities of the characters and their relationships.

The Argumentative Old Git · 2011-09-25
positive 4.00

The book is engrossing with a noticeable increase in tension during thriller segments. It effectively uses the spy world as a metaphor for human treachery.

The reviewer found 'A Perfect Spy' to be an engrossing read throughout, with a marked increase in tension during the thriller segments. They appreciated how the spy world served as a metaphor for the treachery of the human heart, making the story both compelling and thought-provoking. The narrative effectively explores themes of identity and deception, adding depth to the overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    For although A Perfect Spy is an engrossing read throughout, it is noticeable that the tension markedly ratchets up when the purely thriller aspects come to the fore.

    The world of spies and double-spies becomes a metaphor for the treachery of the human heart, where identity can become lost and confused in a web of hidden motives and deceptions.

    It is a book that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.

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