Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Kbh. : Rosinante, 2019.
Description
Fictio Myster Suspens Thrille HTML:�??[Le Carré�??s] novels are so brilliant because they�??re emotionally and psychologically absolutely true, but of course they�??re novels.�?� �??New York Times Book Review A thrilling tale for our times from the undisputed master of the spy genre Nat, a 47 year-old veteran of Britain�??s Secret Intelligence Service, believes his years as an agent runner are over. He is back in London with his wife, the long-suffering Prue. But with the growing threat from Moscow Centre, the office has one more job for him. Nat is to take over The Haven, a defunct substation of London General with a rag-tag band of spies. The only bright light on the team is young Florence, who has her eye on Russia Department and a Ukrainian oligarch with a finger in the Russia pie. Nat is not only a spy, he is a passionate badminton player. His regular Monday evening opponent is half his age: the introspective and solitary Ed. Ed hates Brexit, hates Trump and hates his job at some soulless media agency. And it is Ed, of all unlikely people, who will take Prue, Florence and Nat himself down the path of political anger that will ensnare them all. Agent Running in the Field is a chilling portrait of our time, now heartbreaking, now darkly humorous, told to us with unflagging tension by the greate… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Clara53
A splendid read! For me, it was classic Le Carre. Superb British dry wit, outstanding plot, smart description of all characters, soundly expressed political opinions - even Trump and his America found their place here, portrayed so accurately (this is the first time, I see Trump mentioned in a
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fiction book, as opposed to numerous non-fiction about his ridiculous persona), not to mention Brexit, Europe, and all that goes with it in a "spy" world. The ending is a bit ambiguous, but all in all - loved it! Couldn't put it down. Show Less
LibraryThing member tommi180744
It is a very interesting story, but the master thriller-spy story-teller is no longer able to bring together that nuanced complex narrative (e.g. Tinker, Tailor.., Drummer Girl, Perfect Spy...) that was the special hallmark of Le Carre's writing when he was at the height of his literary powers.
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
John le Carré is widely fêted as one of the greatest writers of spy fiction. Well, that is undeniable, and I wouldn’t question that judgement for a moment. I feel it does, however, rather miss the point John le Carré is simply one of the finest living writers, regardless of genre. No one that
He is remarkable, too, for his literary longevity. It is nearly sixty years since his first novel, Call for the Dead, which introduced his most famous character, George Smiley, while shortly after this latest book came out he celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday. But age does not weary him, and nor do the passing years seem to condemn. While this novel might not quite match up to the brightest jewels in his sizeable crown, such as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or A Perfect Spy (much of which struck a close resonance to events in his own upbringing), that still leaves more than ample scope for it to be a very good book, which it is.
Nat, a middle-aged member of MI6 has been brought back home to London after a series of postings abroad. Concerned that he might be put out to grass, he is relieved to find himself assigned to run a minor outpost of the Russia Division, located in Camden Town. One of his great passions in life has been the game of badminton, and he is currently the undisputed champion at his local club in Battersea. As the novel opens, Nat is enjoying a post-match drink with his latest opponent when he is approached aby a rather gauche young man who wants to challenge him. This proved to be Ed Shannon, and as the novel proceeds, and their badminton rivalry grows, Nat discovers that he is a bit of a lost soul, but one who is riven by concerns over the state of the world, and in particular the plight of Britain as Brexit draws closer. He is also deeply opposed to the policies of President Trump, and scared by the rise of the populist right around the western world. Seldom able to control his passion on these subjects, Ed delivers two or three simultaneously vitriolic and eloquent rants. Nat is naturally reserved, but clearly does not disagree too strongly. I suspect that le Carré also probably feels he couldn’t have put things better himself …
Meanwhile Nat is working hard, supporting Florence, an ambitious and accomplished protegee, who has devised an operation aimed against a flamboyant Russian oligarch who lives in London. While this is nearing fruition, one of his old double agents, on standby for a couple of years, suddenly comes back onstream, raising fears of an extensive Russian network at work in London.
As always, le Carré manages the various plot threads dextrously, weaving strands in and out, beguiling the reader with his customary ease. By le Carré’s standards, this is a fairly short novel, weighing in at 280 pages, but it packs a solid punch, and shows that he is as capable as ever.
I hope that this is merely le Carré’s latest novel, and not his last.
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I have read has come close to matching either his dissection of the tortured byways of the human psyche, or his majestic, wholly unique mastery of English prose.He is remarkable, too, for his literary longevity. It is nearly sixty years since his first novel, Call for the Dead, which introduced his most famous character, George Smiley, while shortly after this latest book came out he celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday. But age does not weary him, and nor do the passing years seem to condemn. While this novel might not quite match up to the brightest jewels in his sizeable crown, such as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or A Perfect Spy (much of which struck a close resonance to events in his own upbringing), that still leaves more than ample scope for it to be a very good book, which it is.
Nat, a middle-aged member of MI6 has been brought back home to London after a series of postings abroad. Concerned that he might be put out to grass, he is relieved to find himself assigned to run a minor outpost of the Russia Division, located in Camden Town. One of his great passions in life has been the game of badminton, and he is currently the undisputed champion at his local club in Battersea. As the novel opens, Nat is enjoying a post-match drink with his latest opponent when he is approached aby a rather gauche young man who wants to challenge him. This proved to be Ed Shannon, and as the novel proceeds, and their badminton rivalry grows, Nat discovers that he is a bit of a lost soul, but one who is riven by concerns over the state of the world, and in particular the plight of Britain as Brexit draws closer. He is also deeply opposed to the policies of President Trump, and scared by the rise of the populist right around the western world. Seldom able to control his passion on these subjects, Ed delivers two or three simultaneously vitriolic and eloquent rants. Nat is naturally reserved, but clearly does not disagree too strongly. I suspect that le Carré also probably feels he couldn’t have put things better himself …
Meanwhile Nat is working hard, supporting Florence, an ambitious and accomplished protegee, who has devised an operation aimed against a flamboyant Russian oligarch who lives in London. While this is nearing fruition, one of his old double agents, on standby for a couple of years, suddenly comes back onstream, raising fears of an extensive Russian network at work in London.
As always, le Carré manages the various plot threads dextrously, weaving strands in and out, beguiling the reader with his customary ease. By le Carré’s standards, this is a fairly short novel, weighing in at 280 pages, but it packs a solid punch, and shows that he is as capable as ever.
I hope that this is merely le Carré’s latest novel, and not his last.
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LibraryThing member antao
After more than 10 years attending the British Council I feel only half English now at best and even that is waning. The other half I associate with things like football hooliganism, small mindedness, nationalism, old white blokes spouting shite in decaying working men's clubs, establishment rabble
Bottom-line: I’m so glad he has achieved publishing a new book, and it plainly shows one of the truly great writers of our time who has been diminished in people's eyes because of his writing spy novels (and bashing Brexit). Pity!
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rousers and middle England (those have always been very English things, and I probably wouldn't have it any other way, apart from the hooliganism perhaps...). This novel by Le Carré makes me think he has an expected standard of mind and spirit and maybe others are losing it. That's when it's time to split. Le Carré doesn't give any evidence of preparing to pack his bags to quit the world. Like most of us who thought we knew the England we grew up with, maybe he feels alienated by the paucity and naivety and lack of integrity in those whose job it is to protect the rights and interests of all its citizens. I'm a huge fan of Le Carré, and - weird admission - if I have insomnia or I'm awake because I'm anxious about something, I re-read bits of "Tinker, Tailor” (I love the way George Smiley spends most of the novel reading reports and rummaging through archive boxes). I know it off by heart of course, but every time it still comes up fresh. His insights on Englishness and the state of the English nation are so accurate. Writers can be simple storytellers - spinners of mildly entertaining diversions. Some writers though go a little deeper, and reflect a mood or reveal tensions in our lives. Their words can help us see a little further, beyond ourselves, or prompt discussion of ideas. Le Carré’s work has done this; provoke thought and question England’s role in the post-war political world, examine the moral ambiguity that every nation wrestles with, and tell a bloody good story along the way. That’s both interesting and entertaining to many, and his views and opinions that fuel those books make compelling reading too. But if you’re not up for that, that’s fine. I always feel that reading a Le Carré novel is a bit like life - it's only around page 80 that you have any real understanding of what the hell is going on. I love how his stories enter through side doors and lead us though back stairs with glimpses of the main house. The man is a wonderful storyteller. Loved how the former head of the KGB wanted to meet him. Whether he knew well enough that Le Carré's work was elegant fiction, or believed it described to us the real workings of espionage, either way it's a testament to the author's skills that the two met.Bottom-line: I’m so glad he has achieved publishing a new book, and it plainly shows one of the truly great writers of our time who has been diminished in people's eyes because of his writing spy novels (and bashing Brexit). Pity!
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LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
It's incredible how little this man has lost off of his fastball. Still producing very good work at nearly 90 years of age. Wow. Didn't love the ending, a bit abrupt and maybe unrealistic for me, but certainly didn't ruin the book. Dialogue and setting unmatched as always. Read this in one day on
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board a ship on vacation. Full on immersion. Show Less
LibraryThing member diana.hauser
An excellent spy novel written by the great master himself, John Le Carre.
The plot and characters and locations are engaging.
I sometimes find the dialogue a bit ‘too’ British upper-crust - many “Old Chaps” and British terms and expressions that seem very antiquated and old-fashioned. But
Nat is at the Athleticus Club in Battersea, waiting for a badminton pick-up game, when Ed walks through the door.
The plot and characters and locations are engaging.
I sometimes find the dialogue a bit ‘too’ British upper-crust - many “Old Chaps” and British terms and expressions that seem very antiquated and old-fashioned. But
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the study of human nature is still strong and telling.Nat is at the Athleticus Club in Battersea, waiting for a badminton pick-up game, when Ed walks through the door.
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LibraryThing member Doondeck
One of the best LeCarré books I've read. Even though a bit circuitous, the story was easy to follow and came to a satisfying conclusion.
LibraryThing member ozzer
Not unlike le Carré’s other novels, “Agent Running in the Field” captures the spirit of the times. In this instance, he masterfully evokes the UK in the time of Brexit. Le Carré’s use of first-person narration permits candor in its rawest form. “(T)he British public is being marched
Conservative establishment types have taken over. Money is the main motivator. Britain’s influence in the world is declining. Malaise seems to be prevalent. In the face of all this, le Carré takes us to the all-too-British Athleticus club in Battersea for some badminton; and to the Haven, a minor player on the UK spy scene, for much of his story.
Our narrator is Nat, a 46-year-old washed-up British spy, whose final assignment is to fix or close down Haven. He is bitter and angry, so his loyalties seem opaque. Yet, his greatest solace clearly comes from twos directions. First, Prue, his younger wife, is a self-assured high-powered human-interest attorney, who serves as a reliable, but laissez-faire sounding board. Second, Ed Shannon is an inelegant but accomplished 25-year-old badminton partner, who is even more angry and disgusted than Nat. Ed’s focus is the rising neo-fascist tendencies in the world, Trump, and Brexit which he describes as an “unmitigated clusterfuck.” While Prue’s loyalties seem fairly transparent, Ed’s are more obscure.
To this mix, le Carré adds Florence. She is a brilliant and attractive agent working at the Haven. In fact, she is probably the only good thing about the place. She uncovers a corrupt Ukrainian oligarch who seems to be working with Moscow and sets out to surveil him. Of course, le Carré fills out his cast of characters with the usual British agents, whom Nat dismisses as his "chers collègues" and he throws in a few double and triple agents for good measure.
The plot moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of spy stuff, divided loyalties, and resurrected ancient history. Le Carré builds tension, not with action scenes, but with plenty of excellent dialogue, including the internal type from Nat. The climax is both surprising and satisfying.
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over a cliff by a bunch of rich, elitist carpetbaggers posing as men of the people.” Trump is “Putin’s shithouse cleaner.” Despite his scathing critiques if the current state of affairs, le Carré nonetheless provides once again a cracking good story of betrayal, political machinations, and human imperfection.Conservative establishment types have taken over. Money is the main motivator. Britain’s influence in the world is declining. Malaise seems to be prevalent. In the face of all this, le Carré takes us to the all-too-British Athleticus club in Battersea for some badminton; and to the Haven, a minor player on the UK spy scene, for much of his story.
Our narrator is Nat, a 46-year-old washed-up British spy, whose final assignment is to fix or close down Haven. He is bitter and angry, so his loyalties seem opaque. Yet, his greatest solace clearly comes from twos directions. First, Prue, his younger wife, is a self-assured high-powered human-interest attorney, who serves as a reliable, but laissez-faire sounding board. Second, Ed Shannon is an inelegant but accomplished 25-year-old badminton partner, who is even more angry and disgusted than Nat. Ed’s focus is the rising neo-fascist tendencies in the world, Trump, and Brexit which he describes as an “unmitigated clusterfuck.” While Prue’s loyalties seem fairly transparent, Ed’s are more obscure.
To this mix, le Carré adds Florence. She is a brilliant and attractive agent working at the Haven. In fact, she is probably the only good thing about the place. She uncovers a corrupt Ukrainian oligarch who seems to be working with Moscow and sets out to surveil him. Of course, le Carré fills out his cast of characters with the usual British agents, whom Nat dismisses as his "chers collègues" and he throws in a few double and triple agents for good measure.
The plot moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of spy stuff, divided loyalties, and resurrected ancient history. Le Carré builds tension, not with action scenes, but with plenty of excellent dialogue, including the internal type from Nat. The climax is both surprising and satisfying.
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LibraryThing member camharlow2
This is John le Carre’s 25th novel and he shows no sign of losing his ability to write a wholly absorbing tale set in contemporary Britain, with concerns raised by Brexit uppermost in the plot. As ever with le Carre, his major theme is betrayal and the consequences of serving ones own country, as
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Nat, who for many years has acted as a spy in various European countries, is recalled to London and given the task of revitalising a minor London substation of MI6. At around the same time, he is challenged by Ed to a badminton match that starts an awkward friendship between the two. Gradually, the two seemingly unconnected strands start to mesh with unexpected repercussions for both Nat and Ed, as both are made to question the effects of their actions, not only on themselves, but also on Britain. Once again, the personal cost of the life of a spy is examined in a fascinating, exciting and revealing story. Show Less
LibraryThing member k6gst
It's crazy to me that John le Carré still writes these things as well as he does at 88 years old. Some novelists believe that you have a finite amount of stuff in your tank and that over a career, long or short, you can write yourself empty. Well he hasn't. Maybe having a genre that has
This one is really good--he's on a streak the past few years, with a final Smiley novel, a great memoir, and now this, his Trump/Brexit book.
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conventions, even if he more or less reinvented the genre, helps. This one is really good--he's on a streak the past few years, with a final Smiley novel, a great memoir, and now this, his Trump/Brexit book.
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LibraryThing member weird_O
At 88, David Cornwell, much better known as John Le Carré, is still writing exceptional novels about spies, what they do and how, and the impact their work has on their inner wellbeing. His newest creation is less complex than many of his most notable works, but it reflects his view of
The story focuses primarily on Nat, a British agent returning home after an overseas stint "running agents", expecting his career to end after 47 years. Rather than being sacked, he's assigned to direct a deadend bureau in London, of course with a detested, ambitious, and untrustworthy colleague overseeing his handling of the assignment. A primary responsibility is debriefing a Russian, ostensibly a defector, but one the Service suspects is intended to be a double agent, who will win the trust of the British and then pass Russian disinformation to them.
Nat quickly finds himself juggling a reunion with his lawyer wife Prue after a multi-year overseas assignment, reconnecting—perhaps more accurately connecting—with a rebellious daughter, readopting a proper British lifestyle, and extending his career as an amoral representative of British intelligence, playing mind games with his superiors in the Service as well as possibly (likely) duplicitous colleagues. The Service has a cast of specialists, and naturally each departmental supervisor is wary of the other supervisors. This is intelligence, after all. Agents manipulating other agents in a realm of intrigue, deception, and, if necessary to achieve a desired end, betrayal.
Then Nat learns of secret British documents being offered to a foreign intelligence service. It triggers perhaps the trickiest "agent running" operation of his career. He suspects many of his long-time colleagues are counting on his failure. Ha!
Recommended.
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contemporary politics, particularly Brexit and the shambles of US governance. The story focuses primarily on Nat, a British agent returning home after an overseas stint "running agents", expecting his career to end after 47 years. Rather than being sacked, he's assigned to direct a deadend bureau in London, of course with a detested, ambitious, and untrustworthy colleague overseeing his handling of the assignment. A primary responsibility is debriefing a Russian, ostensibly a defector, but one the Service suspects is intended to be a double agent, who will win the trust of the British and then pass Russian disinformation to them.
Nat quickly finds himself juggling a reunion with his lawyer wife Prue after a multi-year overseas assignment, reconnecting—perhaps more accurately connecting—with a rebellious daughter, readopting a proper British lifestyle, and extending his career as an amoral representative of British intelligence, playing mind games with his superiors in the Service as well as possibly (likely) duplicitous colleagues. The Service has a cast of specialists, and naturally each departmental supervisor is wary of the other supervisors. This is intelligence, after all. Agents manipulating other agents in a realm of intrigue, deception, and, if necessary to achieve a desired end, betrayal.
Then Nat learns of secret British documents being offered to a foreign intelligence service. It triggers perhaps the trickiest "agent running" operation of his career. He suspects many of his long-time colleagues are counting on his failure. Ha!
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
Agent Running in the Field, John LeCarre, author and narrator
I have always enjoyed Le Carre’s novels. This one is an exception. After listening to half the book with my husband, and struggling to make sense of it, we both agreed, the book was going nowhere. Essentially, it is about an agent
I have no interest in reading a bash Trump book, especially one that is slow. Therefore, once again, I have decided to do something I find myself doing more and more often, recently, something I never considered doing in the past. I have decided not to finish the book. It is slow and tedious and does not invite me back. There is too little time to read all of the books being mass produced today, to stick with a book I do not love. I am moving on.
In addition, the author should have hired a professional reader. Perhaps the tone and expression would then have been more encouraging and would have better interpreted the dialogue.
I have always enjoyed Le Carre’s novels. This one is an exception. After listening to half the book with my husband, and struggling to make sense of it, we both agreed, the book was going nowhere. Essentially, it is about an agent
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working for the British Intelligence Service who is aging out of his career. Nat believed he would soon be terminated, but he was instead thrown a lifeline and given the opportunity to resurrect a defunct London office. His badminton games with Ed, another agent, are a major theme, along with his dislike of President Trump.I have no interest in reading a bash Trump book, especially one that is slow. Therefore, once again, I have decided to do something I find myself doing more and more often, recently, something I never considered doing in the past. I have decided not to finish the book. It is slow and tedious and does not invite me back. There is too little time to read all of the books being mass produced today, to stick with a book I do not love. I am moving on.
In addition, the author should have hired a professional reader. Perhaps the tone and expression would then have been more encouraging and would have better interpreted the dialogue.
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LibraryThing member davidroche
Le Carré’s latest, Agent Running in the Field (Viking) has been much anticipated, with modern themes and events woven into an agency plot with Russian overtones. As ever, the welcomingly recognisable characters are a touch shabby, a tad unreliable and always have more than a soupcon of rogue
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about them. Recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
John le Carré’s latest novel, Agent Running in the Field, realistically and informatively describes spy tradecraft like only an experienced insider can. [During the 1950s and 1960s, le Carré worked for both the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).] Nat, the narrator
One day, a young American named Ed comes into Nat’s fancy club and challenges him to a badminton match. The two are pretty evenly matched, and after some time, Nat and Ed become fast friends, usually sharing a pint or two after each match. Ed is very vocal about his politics: he thinks Brexit is a disaster for Britain and he hates Trump. One can almost, but not quite, hear the author opining through Ed. Nat is very reserved about expressing his opinions and never discloses his profession - after all, he is a spy. Ed’s affection for Nat becomes so intense that he eventually asks Nat to be the best man at his wedding.
Things get very complicated when Nat’s unit discovers a Russian agent is actively attempting to recruit a British resident to disclose the details of a very secret [so secret that Nat is not even informed of its nature] project involving the U.K. and the U.S.A. Complications proliferate when Nat discovers that the Russians’ target is none other than his friend Ed. The British spy service then tasks Nat with the job of turning Ed into a double agent.
This in fact has been Nat’s specialty over his career: “agent running” - that is, cultivating a source to work for the British Secret Service. It is a long game, requiring patience and a willingness to privilege strategy and tactics over relationships, much like badminton.
Le Carré describes Ed as very moral, but quite naive, and Nat sees him in just that light. Nat knows that Ed’s motives are pure even if his actions may run counter to British interests. Nat is conflicted between his professional duty and personal friendship. Ed is facing substantial prison time if he does not agree to work with the British. His only way of avoiding the Hobson’s choice of prison or double agency is to leave the country, a difficult if not impossible task now that the British have an eye on him.
At this point, Le Carré’s (and Nat’s) knowledge of spy tradecraft takes over and provides a satisfying if not thoroughly happy denouement.
The story is somewhat more complicated than I can do justice to in a short review. Le Carré’s prose is limpid; he is able to carry the action along largely by dialog.
Evaluation: Le Carré may be 88, but he hasn’t lost his touch. I was thoroughly engrossed in this story.
(JAB)
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and protagonist, is a middle age British spy who believes he is about to be declared “redundant” by his employer, the British Secret Service. Although he is probably in his late 40s, he is very fit; in fact, he is the champion badminton player at the tony Athleticus Club. But he is rather old for an active agent, and more importantly, doesn’t take well to authority. The Secret Service does not fire Nat, but it gives him a rather dead-end assignment reporting to a man he detests.One day, a young American named Ed comes into Nat’s fancy club and challenges him to a badminton match. The two are pretty evenly matched, and after some time, Nat and Ed become fast friends, usually sharing a pint or two after each match. Ed is very vocal about his politics: he thinks Brexit is a disaster for Britain and he hates Trump. One can almost, but not quite, hear the author opining through Ed. Nat is very reserved about expressing his opinions and never discloses his profession - after all, he is a spy. Ed’s affection for Nat becomes so intense that he eventually asks Nat to be the best man at his wedding.
Things get very complicated when Nat’s unit discovers a Russian agent is actively attempting to recruit a British resident to disclose the details of a very secret [so secret that Nat is not even informed of its nature] project involving the U.K. and the U.S.A. Complications proliferate when Nat discovers that the Russians’ target is none other than his friend Ed. The British spy service then tasks Nat with the job of turning Ed into a double agent.
This in fact has been Nat’s specialty over his career: “agent running” - that is, cultivating a source to work for the British Secret Service. It is a long game, requiring patience and a willingness to privilege strategy and tactics over relationships, much like badminton.
Le Carré describes Ed as very moral, but quite naive, and Nat sees him in just that light. Nat knows that Ed’s motives are pure even if his actions may run counter to British interests. Nat is conflicted between his professional duty and personal friendship. Ed is facing substantial prison time if he does not agree to work with the British. His only way of avoiding the Hobson’s choice of prison or double agency is to leave the country, a difficult if not impossible task now that the British have an eye on him.
At this point, Le Carré’s (and Nat’s) knowledge of spy tradecraft takes over and provides a satisfying if not thoroughly happy denouement.
The story is somewhat more complicated than I can do justice to in a short review. Le Carré’s prose is limpid; he is able to carry the action along largely by dialog.
Evaluation: Le Carré may be 88, but he hasn’t lost his touch. I was thoroughly engrossed in this story.
(JAB)
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LibraryThing member shemthepenman
I came to this novel in the weeks immediately after Le Carre’s death and with the vague knowledge that it hadn’t been overly well-received by critics in the papers and journals I read. My impression, initially, was that the criticism of the book was justified. During the first fifty-pages or
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so, the novel seemed unsure of its self. The narrative voice did not ring quite true and the supporting cast of secondary characters seemed pretty thin. Once the plot got going, however, I found myself quite gripped. And this is the book’s strength: the 200 or so pages or twists and turns, that have you second guessing what is going to happen next as the plot advances through the mires of contemporary British politics and society. Some commentators have said that Le Carre has used this novel to advance his anti-Brexit and anti-Trump agenda, but I disagree. These views are held by the character of Nat and Ed, whom over the course of the novel we come to see as flawed and blind to the reality of the situation as it is. If there is an agenda in the novel, I would see it as anti-Russian, possibly. What lets this novel down, however, is its ending. Rushed and unsatisfying, it feels as if there should be a further 100 or so pages that, for whatever reason, Le Carre didn’t write. This is not Le Carre at his best, then, but neither is it the unmitigated disaster that its initial reception seemed to suggest. Show Less
LibraryThing member tmph
Completely excellent le Carré, except for the ending which makes no sense. Those kids are not going to get away and what on earth is going to happen with Nat and Prue?
LibraryThing member smik
This audio book comes with an impressive list of credentials, not the least that it is read by the author.
Nat is fully expecting to be retired but management has other ideas. There is a Russian agent, a sleeper, in London whom the service is fully expecting to be activated any time soon, and he
And then things begin to go a bit pear-shaped when Florence storms out, and rumours abound of a new double agent in London.
An interesting story with several puzzles to solve. Le Carre does an impressive job as narrator, particularly considering his age when he produced it. He died in 2020 at the age of 89.
Nat is fully expecting to be retired but management has other ideas. There is a Russian agent, a sleeper, in London whom the service is fully expecting to be activated any time soon, and he
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becomes Nat's responsibility. Nat decides he will hand him over to "young" Florence, one of his brightest agent-runners. Meanwhile someone turns up at the Badminton club who wants to play Nat, the club champion despite his age. Ed wants to play him now, without having to go through the "ladder" system. Ed is taciturn most of the time but it is clear he has strong political views, and is keen to do something about them. He has no idea that Nat is a spy.And then things begin to go a bit pear-shaped when Florence storms out, and rumours abound of a new double agent in London.
An interesting story with several puzzles to solve. Le Carre does an impressive job as narrator, particularly considering his age when he produced it. He died in 2020 at the age of 89.
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LibraryThing member waldhaus1
Set on post Cold War contemporary Europe. Characters developed with a personal touch and the plot is more about personal relationship than espionage.
LibraryThing member Mithril
Slow payoff but fairly worth the revelation. It takes a master craftsman to make the reader wait the first two-thirds of the story.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Average le Carre, short and lacking the political commentary and technical details that make his best works so enjoyable. It's not a bad book by any means, but it's not one of his best. It feels lacking in depth, much more like a book early in a writer's career that has been heavily edited to
Nat has had a short career running agents abroad and now in his mid-40s has been brought home, and feeling a little out of sorts. He plays badminton as relief, and is enthused when a new younger member challenges him. Meanwhile one of the local former double-agents now re-homed in London brings word that there's a high level Russian meet going to happen. Most of the first half is Nat trying to convince various people that this is significant and should be monitored.
The motivation for the various actors is given as despair over how Brexit has turned out and the rise and nationalism Trump et al. But these are always given as speeches and don't actually influence anything. The initial plot of an investigation into a russian Oligarch potentially suffering from US influence fizzles out unresolved and doesn't feature in the later parts, which is a shame as there was time and space to do so.
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reduce page count.Nat has had a short career running agents abroad and now in his mid-40s has been brought home, and feeling a little out of sorts. He plays badminton as relief, and is enthused when a new younger member challenges him. Meanwhile one of the local former double-agents now re-homed in London brings word that there's a high level Russian meet going to happen. Most of the first half is Nat trying to convince various people that this is significant and should be monitored.
The motivation for the various actors is given as despair over how Brexit has turned out and the rise and nationalism Trump et al. But these are always given as speeches and don't actually influence anything. The initial plot of an investigation into a russian Oligarch potentially suffering from US influence fizzles out unresolved and doesn't feature in the later parts, which is a shame as there was time and space to do so.
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LibraryThing member Tatoosh
Nat, an agent in a British spy service, is nearing 50 and believes his agency plans to force him into retirement. No reason is given aside from his desire to avoid administrative duties and continue running agents. Instead, he is assigned to head a moribund agency in central London tasked with
LeCarré focuses on character development for the first hundred pages and, for the most part, ignores plot development. His emphasis results in clichéd absolutes. Prue, Nat’s wife, is a saintly, conscientious, prosocial lawyer. Florence, a recruit, is viewed by Nat as having the potential to be “stellar.” LeCarré “tells” readers this, but they never see Prue do anything saintly nor Florence do anything stellar. Instead, Florence is “shown” to be immature and impulsive. She develops a plan to monitor an oligarch but throws a temper tantrum and resigns from the agency when her proposal is not approved. Then that evening, she meets Ed, a socially unpolished bumpkin, falls in love over dinner, and marries him.
LeCarré enumerates the positive qualities of characters likes in great detail but skewers the people and programs he dislikes with one-line insults. For some, this may be the most enjoyable aspect of the book. Brexit is an unmitigated clusterfuck. Boris Johnson is pig ignorant. Trump is Putin’s shithouse cleaner. He speaks as ordered while Putin observes with his proud jailer’s smile. Trump and Brexit fanatics are racist and xenophobic. The United States is heading straight down the road to institutional racism and neo-fascism.
I suppose a story that doesn’t make much sense deserves an ending that doesn’t make sense, and LeCarré delivers. The fate of Florence and Ed reminds me of the unimaginative solutions in John Grisham’s early works. Grisham stranded his protagonists on tropical islands or ships that will meander aimlessly. Florence and Ed would be dead within two months if any spy agency cared enough to search for them.
Although occasionally titillating, Agent Running in the Field is mostly dull nonsense.
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keeping tabs on Russian Oligarchs. Without a plausible rationale, this setup strikes me as the implausible creation of a lazy writer. LeCarré focuses on character development for the first hundred pages and, for the most part, ignores plot development. His emphasis results in clichéd absolutes. Prue, Nat’s wife, is a saintly, conscientious, prosocial lawyer. Florence, a recruit, is viewed by Nat as having the potential to be “stellar.” LeCarré “tells” readers this, but they never see Prue do anything saintly nor Florence do anything stellar. Instead, Florence is “shown” to be immature and impulsive. She develops a plan to monitor an oligarch but throws a temper tantrum and resigns from the agency when her proposal is not approved. Then that evening, she meets Ed, a socially unpolished bumpkin, falls in love over dinner, and marries him.
LeCarré enumerates the positive qualities of characters likes in great detail but skewers the people and programs he dislikes with one-line insults. For some, this may be the most enjoyable aspect of the book. Brexit is an unmitigated clusterfuck. Boris Johnson is pig ignorant. Trump is Putin’s shithouse cleaner. He speaks as ordered while Putin observes with his proud jailer’s smile. Trump and Brexit fanatics are racist and xenophobic. The United States is heading straight down the road to institutional racism and neo-fascism.
I suppose a story that doesn’t make much sense deserves an ending that doesn’t make sense, and LeCarré delivers. The fate of Florence and Ed reminds me of the unimaginative solutions in John Grisham’s early works. Grisham stranded his protagonists on tropical islands or ships that will meander aimlessly. Florence and Ed would be dead within two months if any spy agency cared enough to search for them.
Although occasionally titillating, Agent Running in the Field is mostly dull nonsense.
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LibraryThing member zinkoff
slow and bland. There was no tension and the closer I got to the end the more I realized there was not going to be a climatic finish and I was right.
LibraryThing member MHThaung
It’s been decades since I last read a Le Carré book, so I was curious to see what a spy thriller would look like in current times. I guess I’d tag it more as “adventure” than “thriller.”
The book was a quick read, although it took me a while to get into the narrative style which shifted
I’m not sure I followed all the plot threads, and the ending was a bit… pat, but it was fun watching everything come together.
The book was a quick read, although it took me a while to get into the narrative style which shifted
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between past and present tense. The characters are boldly drawn, distinct and consistent (ie we can largely tell who’s on our side, who isn’t, and who’s confused or wavering). The tensions were largely political and interpersonal clashes, so don’t expect big action scenes with chases and fights.I’m not sure I followed all the plot threads, and the ending was a bit… pat, but it was fun watching everything come together.
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LibraryThing member markm2315
It has been a while since I read something both well-written and that I needed to finish to find out what was going to happen. I picked this up after dropping some other drivel and was happy to place myself in le Carré's deft hands. This novel may not have the layered deception of his greatest
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works, but if it were some younger man's first work, we would have heard much more about it. I did wonder if I would enjoy it as much if I were British, since, for me, the occasional Britishisms add so much to its entertaining atmosphere. Some reviewers have complained that their man Trump does not come off well here, and although I think, to some degree, they are showing the inherent paranoia of the sucker, they should have noticed that the most virulent comments are put into the mouth of a character who is a near-crank. Naturally, I don't think that members of the "base" would write a novel like this, but, more importantly, could they? [Grammarly shows an emoji that evaluates the overall tone of my writing. When I typed "sucker", it turned into a red angry face. This is, I think, unfair.] Show Less
LibraryThing member MugsyNoir
A spy thriller with no explosions, no gun play, and modest spycraft that is nonetheless intense and satisfying.
Awards
NPR: Books We Love (2019)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2019)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019
Physical description
310 p.; 22.1 cm
ISBN
9788763862769
Local notes
Omslag: Stoltze Design
Omslaget viser en række badmintonbolde på vej ned
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "Agent Running in the Field" af Jakob Levinsen
Omslaget viser en række badmintonbolde på vej ned
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "Agent Running in the Field" af Jakob Levinsen
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Pages
310
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |