Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

I really enjoyed the narration of this book by Michael Jayston. I had previously downloaded the same book from Audible read by a different narrator. I couldn't finish it due to my thorough dislike of that narrators reading style. I knew there was a wonderful book hiding in there waiting to be revealed and the narration of Jayston was the revelation. I will now look forward to listening to the large number of the other Le Carre books he also narrates.

An exceptional book read by an exceptional narrator. Michael Jayston provides a variety of voices for the many characters in the book and all helped from his own experience in the TV series. I recommend this audio book for a long journey or when you have an hour or two to really sit back and enjoy the story.

The uncanny voice of Alec Guiness as Smiley is brilliantly performed by Michael Jayston you are buying a performance not a book

Not 'easy listening' but if you like the tales of Smiley with all his dower manorisms, this is an epic. Be warned though you can lose the thread and may need to go back a chapter or two unless you listen in one long session. Worth it for all that.

Quite disappointed in this one. The narration is fine, the production good, but the novel itself is Mogadon in print. I'd never read any leCarre before, and thought this would be a good place to start. Oh dear... They say that real spy work is mostly just long-winded and boring, and to that end, this novel is probably quite realistic. Not a lot actually happens, and when it does, it's usually related by a third party or in a flashback. I got through to the end, but that was just sheer determination. I don't think my senses have been dulled by the usual Hollywood-style thrillers we get these days, but still, I was expecting something a lot more engaging than this.

John leCarre' writes political fiction, powerful and timeless. 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy' is complex and compelling. In beautiful prose the author takes the reader into a maze of intrigue, power, politics and deception. Made into a TV series by the BBC in 1974 and starred Alec Guinness as George Smiley. It was made into a movie again in 2011, this book is essential for lovers of espionage.

Michael Jayston is perfect as the narrator for leCarre' novels. His rich, beautiful voice seems well matched for the genre. I have listened to this book several times noticed immediately that Mr Jayston seemed to be channeling Alec Guinness when reading the character George Smiley. I was pleased to discover (when re-watching the BBC video version) that Michael Jayston had a major role in the production, playing Smiley's colleague Peter Guilliam.

This is a great book and an amazing performance. It is the book I go to when I am lying awake at night just need something to listen to!

I was given the BBC series of Tinker Tailor for Christmas which also starred Michael Jayston as Guillam. The book added more detail and I found myself listening for hours at atime. I usually just listen to audio books whilst I am travelling to and from work in my car.

The reveal. I already knew who was the traitor was from the Television. It was how it was described. Everybody had suspected that there was a mole and suspected the person but hoped they were somehow wrong.

As mentioned before, he played Guilam in the BBC series. He has a wonderful reading voice and seems to be able to use tone perfectly. Could listen to him all day

I would love too but 14 hours not without losing my job.

John le Carre is a brilliant story teller, and captures the reader from the first page until the book is reluctantly finished. It takes concentration to remember all the characters in the book, and their role in the drama without losing the thread of the story., There is a feeling of having been personally involved in the events oneself. I heartily recommend this novel to thriller devotees

This is the first audible book that I have not enjoyed and I have listened to over 20. The narrator had a pleasant voice but it was hard work trying to see it through to the end. Several times I had to rewind to pickup the thread. I will not be getting any more John le Carre books.

John le Carre has really disappointed me with this one. I'll likely avoid the rest of his books. I have enjoyed his other books but this disjointed attempt is a total miss.