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Agent Running in the Field

A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick
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( 22,932 ratings, 2,394 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Agent Running in the Field by John le Carré follows Nat, a veteran British intelligence officer, as he navigates a world of political tension and espionage. Newly returned to London, he takes on a seemingly low-key position but soon finds himself drawn into a complex web of intrigue involving Russian spies and shifting alliances.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy gripping spy thrillers with complex characters and intricate plots. Set against a contemporary backdrop, it delivers a masterful blend of suspense and political intrigue that keeps you guessing until the very end.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In John le Carré's thrilling novel, Agent Running in the Field, the greatest chronicler of espionage weaves a gripping tale set against the backdrop of a nation in turmoil. Nat, a seasoned veteran of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, is poised to settle into a less volatile phase of his career, only to be thrust back into the fray by MI6. Tasked with revitalising 'The Haven', a neglected substation of London General, Nat must orchestrate a disparate group of spies to confront the ascending threat from Moscow Centre.

Amidst this professional upheaval, Nat finds solace in his weekly badminton matches with Ed, a young, idealistic, and politically disillusioned protégé who harbours a deep animosity towards Brexit. An unlikely friendship blossoms on the court, offering Nat a reprieve from his escalating responsibilities. However, this bond soon propels Nat into a vortex of political discontent, culminating in a web of intrigue that ensnares both mentor and mentee.

Agent Running in the Field poignantly captures the zeitgeist of contemporary politics, reflecting societal divisions and the obscure corners of intelligence work. Le Carré's masterful storytelling and piercing prose offer readers a penetrating critique of our times, compelling them to confront the complexities and moral ambiguities of loyalty, betrayal, and patriotism.

This novel is more than just a spy thriller; it is a narrative steeped in the emotional and political dilemmas of today's world. Nat's struggle against both external adversaries and internal convictions is skilfully rendered, making Agent Running in the Field an electrifying and thought-provoking read.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Agent Running in the Field is praised for its skilful storytelling, classic le Carré spy elements, and timely political commentary. The book is noted for its elegant writing, intricate structure, and contemporary relevance, particularly in addressing issues like Brexit and Trump. It is described as a high-quality, beautifully written piece that solidifies le Carré's mastery in the espionage genre.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241986547

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 August 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 330g

Pages: 384

About the Author

John le Carre was born in 1931. For six decades, he wrote novels that came to define our age. The son of a confidence trickster, he spent his childhood between boarding school and the London underworld. At sixteen he found refuge at the University of Bern, then later at Oxford. A spell of teaching at Eton led him to a short career in British Intelligence (MI5 & 6). He published his debut novel, Call for the Dead, in 1961 while still a secret servant. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, secured him a worldwide reputation, which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley's People. At the end of the Cold War, le Carre widened his scope to explore an international landscape including the arms trade and the War on Terror. His memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel, was published in 2016 and the last George Smiley novel, A Legacy of Spies, appeared in 2017. He died on 12 December 2020. His posthumous novel, Silverview, was published in 2021.

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