The Night Manager

Demands your attention, then rewards

So well-researched, so eloquently written, such a convincing story. Lots of moral indignation at political cynicism and piercing characterisations. This was my second listen to this book as I did not give it my full attention the first time around.
Well worth the time!

46 of 46 people found this review helpful

Two can keep a secret only if one of them is dead

The ingredients of le Carre's 1993 novel may sound like spy thriller clichés - 50 million pound arms and drugs trafficking deals; complex agency and turf wars; exotic settings; killings, torture and near-killings; guns and more guns ... But this is le Carre who weaves these elements into a sophisticated narrative where every sentence is finely honed, the whole is cinematic and satisfyingly detailed and even the repugnant characters are irresistibly intriguing. The Night Manager of the hotel initially in Cairo, Jonathan Pine, is drawn into a complex plot of dangerous espionage and counter-spying in order to nail the vilely wealthy Onslow Roper not merely for his vast arms for cocaine trading but also for the part he played in the death of Sophie, the woman he loved.

The danger in this kind of novel is that a high-speed plot is all and the characters are one-dimensional, but this is not Le Carre's way. What makes Jonathan and the other characters we care about, such as Roper's English mistress Jed whom Jonathan comes to love, is their back stories which are deftly interwoven and which have no place in the television adaptation. Jonathan has an 'unsleeping past', neglected as a child and damaged by his relationships with women, which is recalled in brief, intriguing flashes inside his head, many of the incidents and feelings clearly taken from le Carre's own experiences. (Listening to Adam Sisman's Biography of le Carre downloadable from Audible makes enlightening background to le Carre's fiction). In the same way, Jed in her 'dressed nakedness' so fatally attractive to Jonathan is made a real woman trying to slough off a reckless, damaging past, not merely Roper's whore dressed by him in staggeringly costly dresses and decked in flashy jewellery as may appear on screen. There's a great deal of humour too - dark, cruel, satirical but funny - and a wealth of tiny details in description which make the listener focus on the close-up of the everyday as well as the wide sweeps of violence and intrigue, such as the little rabbits on a child's slippers.


The real star of this download is the narrator Michael Jayston. As the action races across continents including the Bahamas, Africa, Panama, Switzerland and a vast list of characters engage in fast-paced dialogue, Jayston has every accent right, every nuance, every mood captured, every cinematic scene fully but subtly exploited. It is quite remarkable and makes the whole listening experience something which a television adaptation however faithful, cannot be.

23 of 23 people found this review helpful

A classic Le Carré

As usual from Le Carré a well paced thriller, drawing the eader into the psychological And intellectual aspects of the plot, it's a contempory account of political and criminal intrigue, the lines between good and bad, political manouverings and the expediency of the hero caught up in all of this is a common theme in Le Carrés books, but I think it is well done here. Definitely worth a listen. Great narration as well, always crucial to the enjoyment of a good listen!

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

State of the Art Spy Fiction.

A contemporary tale from arguably the number one spy fiction writer ever. Gripping, compelling, believable, exciting.... in fact everything you expect and want from this genre is delivered with aplomb.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A great listen.

What did you like most about The Night Manager?

Strong characterisation and a gripping storyline with a huge sweep of locations. As usual Le Carre handles the atmospheres brilliantly.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Night Manager?

The build up if suspense at the end of the book is momentous.

Have you listened to any of Michael Jayston’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes and this is one of his best. He seems to have a great affinity to Le Carre's characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Satisfying comparisons

I chose this original novel to listen to after watching the TV series. The comparisons are interesting not least because I have always previously given up on audio dramatisations of Le Carre's fiction because I've been unable to sufficiently distinguish the many different male characters. The TV version was appealing in part because of the realistically portrayed female characters, especially Angela (not Leonard) Burr. This original novel is darker, complex in a good way and although I find the lack of a believable female perspective irritating the writing is superb and I became totally immersed in the twists and turns. The ending mystified me. The narrator is practically perfect, I just substituted Olivia Coleman's voice in my head every time Burr speaks!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Excellent

The tv adaption was excellent and with such superb source material it couldn't fail. Excellent book, any chance of more Pine and Roper?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Outstanding

Not only up to the usual John Le Carre standards but as ever brilliantly read by Michael Jayston. His characterisations are fantastic. The BBC has just started to sir a new version of The Night Manager and having watched one so far I can say that for my money the book and this narration are an order of magnitude better. Don't spoil the book by watching the BBC edition, get this audible version instead.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

This was my first LeCarre read, having seen the film I knew it was a great story and yes, the book more than lives up to expectations. Will not hesitate to try another of his, either Audible or a physical book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The to series was great fun but this is much more substantial

Beautifully read- a dark and gripping narrative.
Sad and disappointing like Le Carré should be.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful