Our Kind of Traitor

A Novel

By: John le Carré

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of A Legacy of Spies. John le Carré’s new novel, Agent Running in the Field, is coming October 2019. In this exquisitely told novel, John le Carré shows us once again his acute understanding of the world we live in and where power really lies.

In the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and with Britain on the brink of economic ruin, a young English couple takes a vacation in Antigua. There they meet Dima, a Russian who styles himself the world’s number one money launderer and who wants, among other things, a game of tennis. Back in London, the couple is subjected to an interrogation by the British Secret Service, who also need their help. Their acquiescence will lead them on a precarious journey through Paris to a safe house in Switzerland, helpless pawns in a game of nations that reveals the unholy alliances between the Russian mafia, the City of London, the government, and the competing factions of the British Secret Service.

©2010 John le Carre (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Those readers who have found post–cold war le Carré too cerebral will have much to cheer about with this Russian mafia spy thriller…Le Carré ratchets up the tension step-by-step …His most accessible work in years, this novel shows once again why his name is the one to which all others in the field are compared.” ( Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

“le Carré's signature stark prose, pitch-perfect dialogue, authentic characters, and moral indignation have stood the test of time…Intriguing and tense, Traitor shines a blinding, angry, and welcome light on shady international finances and underhanded intelligence agents.” ( Bookmarks Magazine)

“The venerable spy master is back with an intriguing story about a pair of novice spies who are aiding intelligence efforts to bring in a Russian businessman. Robin Sachs paints a fine portrait of the couple and shines even brighter for the host of British operatives. But it is as Dima--the Russian with a past--that he excels. The bellowing, likable, and commanding Russian is such a unique personality that he demands a distinctive voice, and Sachs comes through.” ( AudioFile)

Human heart in conflict with itself

Maybe 3.5 stars. I liked it more than I was prepared to. Reminded me in a lot of ways of Single & Single. It was a tight morality tale in a world lacking morality. Like most of le Carré's post-Soviet/post-Cold War spy novels the real play here is not East v West, THAT is just a side show, the real conflict is ALL internal. William Faulkner's famous quote from his Nobel Prize speech that "the human heart in conflict with itself" is the only thing worth writing about, regardless of the genre" seems to perfectly capture le Carré. But le Carré doesn't just use that idea with people, he uses that idea with institutions (Secret Intelligence Service), and with whole counties. The modern world is a world in conflict with itself. God is dead. But maybe, just maybe, He still listens to all your phone calls, still reads all your text messages, and despite all the past promises made -- and He might just decide to screw you in the end.

very entertaining

very entertaining, very fine narration by Robin Sachs. well crafted story with interesting twist throughout.

Good story

It was a good story but I didn't like the ending! It was unnecessarily cynical at the end and didn't reflect an appropriate conclusion to the story.

Slow start, payoff by the end

I found this book to be quite enjoyable overall. The first few chapters were a bit slow going, but once all the characters are in place and the story telling technique is understood, the speed picks up a bit.

I'm a bit confused by all those who say that it ended abruptly. I felt that the novel came to a very natural (and gripping) end.

Robin Sachs did a fantastic job with the narration, providing the many voices with seeming ease. His Dima was pitch perfect. Hear me!

A tired author

Sometimes when I have crab cakes I find some filled with too much bread and not enough crab. That is what it felt like when I put down one of my most favorite authors. I was pleased that he focused on powerful institutions that do much damage to our species. In The Constant Gardener we learned a good deal about how abusive pharmaceutical is and in this one he attempted to do the same thing with our financial empires that have gotten the world into such difficulties. Greed dominates, the powerful seek to hold on to what they have and to get even more. In this book there are too many characters to keep in touch with. His character development is shallow. Where is Smiley? Where are those wonderful figures who lack a true sense of self and who can take on the coloration needed to survive so easily to fill in the void of an ill defined or non-existent self. He copped out at the end and took the easy way out. I always enjoy reading LeCarre even if I find fault on occasion. A mature writer with a critical and insightful eye.I will continue to read everything he writes if I live long enough.

Unsatisfying

As always, well written, and very well performed by Robin Sachs. In the end the story is not satisfying.

Terrible ending

The story, characters, and writing style are rich and satisfying. But the ending was poorly structured and left disappointed. Like the promise of a good dessert after a great meal, and you get crumbly aunt Martha’s fudge!

The Latest le Carre Might Be for You

Oxford tutor Perry Makepiece and his girlfriend Gail Perkins meet one Dmitri Vladimirovich Krasnow. They convey a message to M16 that Dima wants to defect. The story and plot builds from there. I am not really a fan of fiction, but pick a volume periodically. This John le Carre volume starts, for me, really slow and I had to wade through a lot before the plot thickened. Ultimately, this book was worth the trip for the most part. The writing is John le Carre and the narration of Robin Sachs is very good. Don't take my word only (three stars and all) but read others too before you make up your mind. If you are a le Carre fan, drop what you are doing and listen.

Excellent.

At least five times during the book, I thought it was about to end. You?

One of the better "recent" LeCarre's

A good listen, very well read. Well developed characters the reader can identify with and root for -- not always something in LeCarre's books over the last 20 years.