The Constant Gardener: A Novel | 
so-soIf you've ever since the film with Ralph Fiennes & Rachel Weisz, then you'll pretty much have the gist of what happens. If you haven't - then please watch it, it's a great film. There are one or two glaring differences between the book & the film but the main characters of Justin & Tessa were played pretty much spot on by Fiennes & Weisz, & the ending was kept true to the book. (Continued)
panIt was a poor choice on my part. Clearly the spy novel genre is not my bailiwick. #foodandlit #kenya
Still plugging along. It was rather a slog till about page 150. Seems to be improving
pickAm I the only one who loves le Carré endings? It‘s never a happy ending. It‘s always tidy though. A realistic spy thriller where the good guy may win but it‘s never a happy ending for the MC. I haven‘t seen the film—which is odd because like any Luc Besson movie, I‘ll watch anything based on a le Carré novel. Justin Quayle is a tragic character from the beginning and fulfills that role right up to the end. No one wins in the real world.
Definitely one of his faster paced books. And that‘s saying something for le Carré. I got halfway through the book in one sitting. He has a way of seamlessly incorporating character studies into fast-paced plot-driven spy thrillers.
pickThis is such a beautiful story. Tessa just reads as a modern-day saint, and my heart broke for Justin.
so-soThis was my first John le Carré and I had seen the movie some years ago. It was a solid so-so.
I expected...more action, I guess. Just as the book really started building tension for me, it fizzled out.
so-soA John le Carre classic. I can‘t remember if I‘d read it or just seen the film before. It improves immeasurably once the narration switches from Sandy to Justin.
“Everything like ours but smaller, because the Quayles were childless and a rank lower. Then why did Tessa‘s house always seem to be the real thing, and ours its unimaginative ugly sister?” p.56
I have never been so sorry that I am not fluent in another language, despite years of German classes. According to Le Carre's memoir, Yvette Pierpaoli inspired a major character in The Constant Gardner. Yvette published her autobiography in 1992 and it was translated into several languages, including English, but is out of print and I can only find used copies in French & German, which I can't read. 😭😭 She sounds amazing! I want to read this!
This was the first le Carre that I read, and I loved it. I picked it up after enjoying the movie, and (no surprise) found so much more here to love.
#gardentitle #aprilbookshowers
@RealLifeReading
I found this at a library sale. I've never read John le Carre. I enjoyed The Night Manager on AMC. Hoping this doesn't disappoint. #spynovels #photoadaynov16 @RealLifeReading
Perfect Sunday afternoon spent reading!
I'm loving it even more than the movie and God knows how much I enjoyed and cried about that movie.
