This book is as good as what its reviews claim it to be. It's suspenseful, well-constructed, gripping like a good novel should be, and has a sad but appropriate ending. I particularly liked the chapter (second last) where it got philosophical about spies doing what they do: how we as a society sees spies because they are often portrayed as heros (although this is not explicitly discussed) versus how spies actually operate because they live in a dangerous world doing dangerous things, both real and non-glorified. The troubling thing is that we often find ourselves interested in agents that come from the "good-guy" side. We root for them. Cheer when they get their way, and applaud when they triumph at the end because, as all stories should, the good guy should win at the end. In reality there's just two sides being at war, doing whatever it takes to crack the other side.

Along the way there are casualties. ( )

Many twists and turns. Depressing ending. ( )

This book was extremely suspenseful and extremely depressing. British Intelligence agent Alec Leamas has done invaluable work against Communism in East Germany and the U.S.S.R. After one ill-fated expedition, though, all Leamas's agents are killed, and he thinks his career is finished. Instead, his spymaster sends him on one last mission: he'll pretend to be a discredited, washed-up former spy, but really he'll go back into the heart of East Germany to take down one of the key Communist leaders. The story unfolds with chilling precision, as Leamas uncovers layer after layer of the plot he's assisting. I don't want to reveal too much, but I will say I was shocked and awed by the climax. I really enjoyed the writing style, which is extremely sparse but says a lot through its silences. There were some interesting ethical debates between the characters, too. In my opinion, this book is essential for anyone interested in Communism or the Cold War.

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is both brilliant and fascinating, even if it tends to fall apart towards the end of the story. The first half of the book uniquely captures the darkness and cynicism of the Cold War years, as rendered by a writer in possession of some unique angles on that great drama. The latter half of the book is less interesting, featuring a rather drawn-out trial sequence that is frankly quite dull, and burdened with a romantic subplot that feels patched onto the main narrative. Nonetheless, this book may yet be the best spy novel ever written, and certainly worth a read for those who have never experienced the works of John Le Carre. ( )

De ultieme spionageroman. ( )