The Naive and Sentimental Lover (20)

The Naive and Sentimental Lover (20)
John LeCarre

I am slowly working my way through all of John LeCarre's books, and I have been reading them in order after the first couple. His books are usually easy to find, but I had trouble finding this one. After reading it I know why. It is the only book LeCarre has written that is not about espinoge. This deals with Aldo Cassidy a rich inventor who becomes involved with an erratic writer and his wife. The book is somewhat slow to develop and is very confusing in parts.. he day dreams a lot and it is hard to tell fantasy from truth.. although I am sure that is what he wanted.. and the character sometimes has trouble telling what is real.
If you believe what you read on the Internet this book is roughly autobiographical about LeCarre's first divorce, and the other 2 people in the book each wrote their own accounts of what happened.
It is written in the classic LeCarre style.. slow to develop, confusing in parts.. long sections where the main character just thinks.. but a very engaging story. Not my favorite, but not my least favorite either. If you are a LeCarre fan you should read this.. if not.. you might skip it in favor of some of his better works.

In general I enjoy LeCarre although all of his books are hard reading and some of them are nearly impossible - lol. I do enjoy his style and the complexity of his book and will keep working my way through his catalog.