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A Perfect Spy Audiobook
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(3.00) - 4,990 listener ratings
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“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.
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"Probably the best popular fiction about the ethics and circumstances of the 20th century that I've read. What happens to a person whose entire life is dedicated to pleasing those around him - first one person, then the next - when those people have conflicting agendas?"
— Currerbelfry (4 out of 5 stars)
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Le Carré’s best book, and one of the finest English novels of the twentieth century.”
A Perfect Spy Listener Reviews
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" I am not generally into spy novels but this one was pretty good. It starts off strong but drags a bit as it continues. "
— Maura, 2/11/2014 -
" If you like spy stories, this book is the definition of those. Definitely. "
— Strategic, 2/9/2014 -
" second favorite john le carre novel--involves cold war spies, but not the karla plot. his books are about spies, yes, but spies that inevitably human, not james bond. "
— Emily, 2/9/2014 -
" The narration performed by Michael Jayston was top notch some of the best character work I've heard. The story on the other hand I found to be a hard slog. For starters it took me a little while to get my head around the change in time and perspective also I found it a bit repetitve. I thinkt he whole time I was expecting something big to happen to Pym but it never did it was more about his identity etc which I just found a bit yawn inducing. My first Le Carre novel and I just though it would be a bit more exciting. "
— Melmac, 2/4/2014 -
" i love reading about espionage books but this one was simply too confusing because the author shifts from first person to third person & i actually do not know who is speaking or telling the story! "
— Hazel, 1/23/2014 -
" Robust and depthful; but just not of the same memorable caliber which characterized leCarre's work in the 70s--his apex. For my money (although I consider him the #1 novelist of the 20th century) after 'Smiley's People' he loses his brilliance. "
— Feliks, 1/15/2014 -
" A masterful writer kept this reader confused the whole time. In this case, Le Carre read the book, a particular treat as he accentuated points exactly as he intended. Excellent! "
— Nicole, 1/15/2014 -
" Link to my original review "
— Tiffany, 1/10/2014 -
" The best John le Carre, the making of a perfect spy-- a boy who grows up with a conman father, who wants something to believe in, but also, has all the skills necessary. Brilliant beyond belief. "
— Janet, 12/25/2013 -
" i love spies and tricky tricks, and this one was a doosie. long and engrossing. couldnt put it down, and was sad when it ended. "
— peter, 12/16/2013 -
" On Tuesday I got a new library card, got really excited, and got rid of all the other books I was reading. We will see if it was worth it! The first 28 pages have been a little heavy handed, but entertaining! "
— Blair, 12/9/2013
About John le Carré
John le Carré, the pseudonym of David John Moore Cornwell (1931–2020), was an English author of espionage novels. Eight of his novels made the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list between 1983 and 2017. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, his third book, secured him a worldwide reputation as one of the greatest spy novelists in history. Numerous major motion pictures have been made from his novels, as well as several television series. After attending the universities at Berne and Oxford, he taught at Eton and spent five years in the British Foreign Service, serving briefly in British Intelligence during the Cold War. Being a member of MI6 when he wrote his first novel, Call for the Dead in 1961 in Hamburg, it necessitated the use of a nom de plume, by which he continued to be known. His writing earned him several honorary doctorate degrees and the Somerset Maugham Award, the Goethe Medal, and the Olof Palme Prize.