I just finished reading le Carre's latest novel and it, unlike some of his work in the not too distant past, doesn't disappoint. It is tightly plotted, moves quickly, and as in all of his novels presents a moral dilemma. How do we protect ourselves from terrorist attacks without harming those on the sidelines?
His answer is, of course, that we do not. The most wanted man in this case is blameless, being used by everyone who has caught him and then let him bribe his way free until finally he represents a fish so large that everyone wants him.
The novel is replete with a young female lawyer from wealthy parents who wants to protect him, a banker who loves her and through her recognizes his failures of the past and a security man who wants nothing to do with his peers in other parts of Germany's government and others. He only wants to turn the most wanted man to his own, more moral, use. There is, of course, the ugly American and the venal English, a mainstay of his that is almost boring but needed to move the story along.
I'm not going any further there because I don't want to spoil your read. It is interesting that le Carre seems to have came to the conclusion that the terrorists do not recognize individual guilt, only collective guilt so they have no problem killing any and all. But, like all those on the Left, and make no mistake he has become a full up member of the Left, he refuses to understand that what that means is that innocent people will be harmed on both sides and that the blame lies totally with the terrorists.
Since he is approaching 80 I doubt he will change all that much. But one can hope that the man who brought us, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," "The Honourable Schoolboy," and "Smilety's People," and seventeen other very readable works will resolve his conscience before he goes into that not so good night.
A need I think we all have.
Many thanks! Was waiting for your review to read the book.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion of John Le Carré (for what it's worth!!!): Great writer. His style grabs my heart. His people remain alive a long time in my mind. He sees both sides very clearly but I think he carries a sense of guilt for having played an active part in being one of us, at a time when somehow we fraternized with the 'baddies". Since then, it seems that (for him) "the monsters" suffer unjustly, and the "innocents" have created their problems. But even Smiley was ambivalent, wasn't he?
His anti-americanism disappoints me in this sense: he's following the European trend. I read it everywhere, on all the EU blogs. USA has the power and the influence Europe had at one point, and would wish to have again. Yet, many of those countries (including England) need USA to survive. Lots of resentment and unclear judgement...
"Since then, it seems that (for him) "the monsters" suffer unjustly, and the "innocents" have created their problems."
ReplyDeleteThat is very well put and really summarizes the Left's position in about 17 words that others have written thousands on. (I think I shall steal it!)
Yes, Smiley was. The last words in the Tinker...Spy PBS drama, which I think was outstanding, comes from the Lady Ann..."Poor George, life always confused you." His actions aren't for "Queen and Country," but for "The Service," one of the worst reasons any one ever does anything.
And his chacters are so real that I find myself angry at them. That is great writing and I know of no other author, at least one still wriitng, who can do that.
Steal all you want....You'll be safe! All the jails will be closing in your country!:)))))))
ReplyDeleteThe only other great writer, whose people remain alive forever in my mind and heart, (and I read him at 18!), is Balzac.
I said this to John Le Carré three years ago. I guess that's why my letter will go to the Bodleian Library in Oxford with all his papers, "in the unlikely event of my death" he wrote! It's amusing....
My letter to John Le Carré was my only claim to fame, until, a couple of times, you put some of my words on your posts.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks! All the best as always.;-)
Anytime you want to post something just do it as a comment and I will copy it and post it under your name!
ReplyDeleteYou're so very kind, thank you! So far, your posts have spoken very well on most subjects I've been interested. And I learned a lot on things I would have missed without you. But one never knows! If anything happens in Canada, which would be related to our relationship with USA, I might really enjoy putting my two-cent-worth. As long as you would agree to edit my English, still imperfect, alas!
ReplyDeleteTo your good health! Or (as the father of my sons would say on this special day for him) 'Sláinte'!
Just let me know.... and I suspect you could edit my English... (Remember... Southern is my first language!)
ReplyDelete