A Perfect Spy

By: John Le Carré

Narrated by: Shaun Evans

“a splendid book… [le Carré] is a perfect spy novelist.” — The New York Times

The most autobiographical of John le Carré’s works, A Perfect Spy follows two narratives: the manhunt for the double agent Magnus Pym, and the makings of the man in question—told in his own words.

Referred to as le Carré’s best work and one of the best English novels of the 20th century by the likes of Philip Pullman and Philip Roth, this mesmerizing drama captures a man living more than one life, and the inevitable betrayals that result.

©2011 John Le Carré (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

Hard listen

the hardest book to listen to I've found so far. I love leCarre books, for 30 years since I discovered Smiley. I have many in my bookcase. Now I have to buy this one, in a book. I have to read all the bits I missed instead of rewinding to listen again to a piece here and there. Between the accents, the unfamiliar words, the references I couldn't place without losing the story flashing past. I need to read this book to feel I've 'read' it. Have to listen to another leCarre book to see if it's just this one with this effect.

Meh…

I thought that the narration was substandard. So many mispronunciations and the rendering of German names was especially annoying. For example, “her” instead of “Herr” led to confusion.

The story was overly complicated. I know that the book is highly regarded but I’m afraid it was lost on me.

Great story, awesome narrator.

I love le Carre, and this is one of his finest works. The narrator is great. He can't do a great American accent, but even that adds to the buffoonish American characters in the book.

Mesmerizing triumph of language and thought

Fantastically well-narrated, great understanding of the text and characters, with only a little to be desired in differentiating the female voices from each other and from the men. My favorite of all the LeCarre novels so far. I’ve read about 6 including Tinker Tailor. Great study of one man’s psychology—based on the author and of 4 men’s psychology (Rick, Pym, Axel, and Brotherhood) and how they and class and borders and politics, ambition, necessity, betrayals, and lies interplay. I just kept saying to myself, "this is so good." So good.

Wonderful narration

A must listen for fans of Shaun Evans. Le Carre weaves an intricate portrait of the heartbreakingly perfect spy and Evans brings him to life.