This is not my favorite le Carre title ([b:Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy|18989|Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (The Karla Trilogy #1)|John le Carré|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327889127s/18989.jpg|2491780] holds that post, closely followed by [b:A Perfect Spy|19001|A Perfect Spy|John le Carré|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348765215s/19001.jpg|2492347]), but it has all the hallmarks that define le Carre's oeuvre: vivid writing, an immensely complex plot, more characters than you can shake a stick at (almost none of them likeable and all the women portrayed with a degree of sexism I only hope is unintentional), a well-researched and richly depicted setting, and a concern above all else for the moral implications of the spy trade and its impact on the human soul. Not recommended for newcomers to le Carre, as it is likely to overwhelm those not already accustomed to his tendency to barrage readers with complex secondary details while only hinting at crucial ones, but a worthwhile choice for fans who want to enjoy more of his work.