Reading 1001 discussion

22. If you can, compare Le Carré's novel with Ian Flemming's 007 spy novels and Tom Clancy.

Clancy is about technology, both Clancy and Flemming are about the superhero spy who finagles his way out of impossible situations, or just manages to beat the clock to win and avoid destruction of the world. Le Carre is much more about the reality of intelligence, the normal "fat, old men" standing in kitchens in their socks with guns in their hands, but mostly pouring through files. teasing out nuggets of information. And the world still ends, the networks are still destroyed.

I cannot comment about Tom Clancy, because I don't remember reading any of his, but Ian Fleming's James Bond is an improbable larger than life figure and his adventures are escapism, not realistic episodes. Le Carre's characters are much more nuanced and believable.

Pip wrote: "I cannot comment about Tom Clancy, because I don't remember reading any of his, but Ian Fleming's James Bond is an improbable larger than life figure and his adventures are escapism, not realistic ..."

You should read his Hunt for Red October, which is really quite good and probably ought to be on the list as the first of the techno-thrillers.

I haven't read anything by Tom Clancy. Spy novels aren't really my thing because I have the stereotype that they are all very dramatic and implausible. That is why I liked this book because it was unlike what I expected.

I agree with John and Pip in that James Bond is more superhero than real whereas Le Carre is more about "the reality of intelligence" as John puts it. That said, I will say that the novel version of Bond is much different - more flawed and less superhero-like than he is in the movies. I liked John's description of Le Carre's world of normal "fat, old men."

I agree with Pip. Also yet to read any Clancy.