A classic from the Master.
A magnificent thriller, a celbration of courage, a novel of hope for our time.
John le Carre has earned worldwide acclaim with extraordinary spy novels, including THE RUSSIA HOUSE, an unequivocal classic. Navigating readers through the shadow worlds of international espionage with critical knowledge culled from his years in British Intelligence, le Carre tracks the dark and devastating trail of a document that could profoundly alter the course of world events.
In Moscow, a sheaf of military secrets changes hands. If it arrives at its destination, and if its import is understood, the consequences could be cataclysmic. Along the way it has an exploisive impact on the lives of three people: a Soviet physicist burdened with secrets; a beautiful young Russian woman to whom the papers are entrusted; and Barley Blair, a bewildered English publisher pressed into service by British Intelligence to ferret out the document's source. a magnificent story of love, betrayal, and courage, THE RUSSIA HOUSE catches history in the act. For as the Iron Curtain begins to rust and crumble, Blair is left to sound a battle cry that may fall on deaf ears."
In Moscow, a sheaf of military secrets changes hands. If it arrives at its destination, and if its import is understood, the consequences could be cataclysmic. Along the way it has an exploisive impact on the lives of three people: a Soviet physicist burdened with secrets; a beautiful young Russian woman to whom the papers are entrusted; and Barley Blair, a bewildered English publisher pressed into service by British Intelligence to ferret out the document's source. a magnificent story of love, betrayal, and courage, THE RUSSIA HOUSE catches history in the act. For as the Iron Curtain begins to rust and crumble, Blair is left to sound a battle cry that may fall on deaf ears."
In John's usual triller till the end. Don't cheat and skip to the end.
On the book jacket:
A mysterious manuscript purporting to prove the Soviet defense system is unworkable is smuggled out of Moscow. It was intended for a flaky English publisher, a womanizing saxophone-playing boozer, but the smuggler has turned it over to British intelligence. In order to prove its authenticity, they recruit the publisher as an amateur spy and send him to Moscow to reestablish contact with the author. But the "truth" Barley Blair finds there is love and a purpose for his shambles of a life. As always with le Carre, this is a compelling spy story, a marvelous entertainment that is also as intelligent, witty, and brooding as many more self-consciously and less satisfying literary novels. It may not be the equal of The Quest for Karla trilogy or of a A Perfect Spy but it bears all the marks of a master, of the man who has both redefined and reanimated the espionage genre.
BOMC main selection.
- Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
A mysterious manuscript purporting to prove the Soviet defense system is unworkable is smuggled out of Moscow. It was intended for a flaky English publisher, a womanizing saxophone-playing boozer, but the smuggler has turned it over to British intelligence. In order to prove its authenticity, they recruit the publisher as an amateur spy and send him to Moscow to reestablish contact with the author. But the "truth" Barley Blair finds there is love and a purpose for his shambles of a life. As always with le Carre, this is a compelling spy story, a marvelous entertainment that is also as intelligent, witty, and brooding as many more self-consciously and less satisfying literary novels. It may not be the equal of The Quest for Karla trilogy or of a A Perfect Spy but it bears all the marks of a master, of the man who has both redefined and reanimated the espionage genre.
BOMC main selection.
- Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The case of the reluctant spy. And why not? Hes just another Joe, recruited because he moves in certain business circles.
For lovers of John Le Carre's works, one of the best! He combines the thrill of the best spy novel with real-life characters with whom the reader becomes emotionally involved.
From the cover....New York Times Book Review
"An exciting spy story, which is at the same time a lively international comedy...A well-informed, up-to-minute political parable, incisive and instructive...rich poignant and fascinating."
"An exciting spy story, which is at the same time a lively international comedy...A well-informed, up-to-minute political parable, incisive and instructive...rich poignant and fascinating."
Now from master thriller writer John le Carre comes his most powerful and ambitious novel to date: a new tale of suspense -- and hope -- set in the dangerous world of spies and counterspies. In the third uncertain summer of perestroika and glasnost, at a small British trade fair in Moscow, a document changes hands that can alter the course of history -- if it is delivered to the right person.
The delicate chain of communication that bears this explosive message is made up of three very fragile, very human links: a Soviet physicist (code name Bluebird) burdened with a secret knowledge; a beautiful young Russian woman to whom the papers are entrusted; and Barley Blair, the besotted and bewildered English publisher to whom the papers are addressed. Suddenly Blair finds himself pressed into service by British Intelligence to ferret out the source of the message and what it might mean to the world. Once again, le Carre has caught history in the act as he draws us deeper into his secret world for a story of love, betrayal, and courage -- and a future there just may be time to save.
The delicate chain of communication that bears this explosive message is made up of three very fragile, very human links: a Soviet physicist (code name Bluebird) burdened with a secret knowledge; a beautiful young Russian woman to whom the papers are entrusted; and Barley Blair, the besotted and bewildered English publisher to whom the papers are addressed. Suddenly Blair finds himself pressed into service by British Intelligence to ferret out the source of the message and what it might mean to the world. Once again, le Carre has caught history in the act as he draws us deeper into his secret world for a story of love, betrayal, and courage -- and a future there just may be time to save.
was a New York Times #1 best seller
This was made into a movie starring Sean Connery and Michelle Phifer.
The delicate chain of communication that bears this explosive message is made up of three very fragile, very human links: A Soviet physicist (code name bluebird)burdened with a secret knowledge: a beautiful young russian woman to whom the papers are entrusted: and Barley Blair, the besotted and bewildered English publisher to whom the papers are addressed.
This is an exciting book set in the dangerous world of spies and counterspies. A document changes hands that can alter the course of history, if it is delivered to the right person--a story of love betrayal and courage.
Did you see the movie with Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer? The book is much better.
A mysterious manuscript purporting to prove the Soviet defense system is unworkable is smuggled out of Moscow. It was intended for a flaky English publisher, a womanizing saxophone-playing boozer, but the smuggler has turned it over to British intelligence. In order to prove its authenticity, they recruit the publisher as an amateur spy and send him to Moscow to reestablish contact with the author. But the "truth" Barley Blair finds there is love and a purpose for his shambles of a life.
Excellent.....like Tom Clancy novels
Great story, great characters, interesting setting . . . what more could you ask for? A perpetually drunk literary agent at a trade show in Russia gets handed more than he bargained for -- state secrets.
Too many characters for me. Didn't finish the book.
I am afraid that it is one that I am not interested in.
One of my husband's favorites.
