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This has been praised as a literary thriller that helped shape the espionage thriller genre, and I've seen Deighton compared to Dickens, contrasted favorably to Ian Fleming.
Frankly, this struck me as rather juvenile. Unlike Fleming, Deighton doesn't have a background in intelligence, and the book never struck me as plausible. It's more Get Smart than Graham Greene or John LeCarre--or even Tom Clancy. This is Len Deighton's first novel--before this he had been working as an illustrator according ...more
Frankly, this struck me as rather juvenile. Unlike Fleming, Deighton doesn't have a background in intelligence, and the book never struck me as plausible. It's more Get Smart than Graham Greene or John LeCarre--or even Tom Clancy. This is Len Deighton's first novel--before this he had been working as an illustrator according ...more
The writing here is quite good for a spy thriller, if a little verbose. The dialogue is very witty and funny.
That said, I lost the plot several times, which led to a confusing read, particularly in the first half of the book.
That said, I lost the plot several times, which led to a confusing read, particularly in the first half of the book.
Apr 17, 2008
Kenneth
marked it as to-read
Aug 28, 2008
Pranav Mehta
marked it as to-read
Feb 02, 2011
Nicole
marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2022
Belaunche
marked it as to-read
