Harry Pendel is the charismatic proprietor of Pendel and Braithwaite Limitada of Panama, through whose doors everyone who is anyone in Central America passes; Andrew Osnard, mysterious and fleshly, is a spy. His secret mission is two-pronged: to keep a watchful eye on the political manoeuvrings leading up to the American handover of the Panama Canal on 31st December 1999; and to secure for himself the immense private fortune that has until now churlishly eluded him.
The Tailor of Panama
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'Le Carr? shows what an extraordinarily witty writer he can be, with a true feeling for the farcical' (Sunday Times )
'A romantic delirium for troubled times' (Observer )
'A masterful portrayal of human weakness' (Times Educational Supplement )
'A work of rare brilliance' (The Times )
'A romantic delirium for troubled times' (Observer )
'A masterful portrayal of human weakness' (Times Educational Supplement )
'A work of rare brilliance' (The Times )
About the Author
John le Carr? was born in 1931. His third novel, THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, secured him a wide reputation which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, THE HONOURABLE SCHOOLBOY and SMILEY'S PEOPLE. His other novels include THE CONSTANT GARDENER, A MOST WANTED MAN and OUR KIND OF TRAITOR.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By BookWorm
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
A rather disappointing novel - not up to Le Carre's usual standard. Set in Panama, a garrulous and imaginative tailor to the great and good is recruited as a spy. His fabrications have unforeseen and tragic consequences. While sections of it are enjoyable, they are set in a mediocre whole, along with some chapters that are so dull it was a struggle to keep reading.
The principle character, Pendel the tailor, is irritating. Some of the supporting characters are more interesting but because the book focuses on Pendel they provide only brief enjoyable interludes. Although the principle behind the story is a good idea, it becomes bogged down in complex politics and I found it disjointed and hard to keep the thread of the story.
The two star rating reflects the fact that this isn't an actively bad novel, just rather lacklustre. It does have some good parts which show glimpses of Le Carre's normal quality of writing. This is probably a novel for dedicated fans of the genre only. For non-fans I'd recommend trying another of Le Carre's novels instead.
The principle character, Pendel the tailor, is irritating. Some of the supporting characters are more interesting but because the book focuses on Pendel they provide only brief enjoyable interludes. Although the principle behind the story is a good idea, it becomes bogged down in complex politics and I found it disjointed and hard to keep the thread of the story.
The two star rating reflects the fact that this isn't an actively bad novel, just rather lacklustre. It does have some good parts which show glimpses of Le Carre's normal quality of writing. This is probably a novel for dedicated fans of the genre only. For non-fans I'd recommend trying another of Le Carre's novels instead.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book for the first time two months ago, and now I've read it again. My second reading was inspired by the fact that I was part way through the book the first time before I realized what an incredible book it was. So I wanted to read it again from the start with a proper sense of appreciation.
"The Tailor of Panama" is purportedly a spy thriller, but the spy story is actually just the framework on which John le Carré weaves his amazing study of human nature. And the human characteristics which are dominant are not ones that the human race should be proud of. We are presented with large amounts of greed, dishonesty, jealousy, cruelty, selfish lust, corruption, apathy, frailty and stupidity. On top of that we are presented with some of the less attractive conditions for human existence: poverty, suffering, guilt and sickness.
But the amazing thing is that John le Carré writes about these human characteristics and conditions with a great deal of humor and understanding. And he does provide a few glimpses of love, altruism and generosity.
So even though the story ends tragically it is for the most part a funny and touching story, and this makes the book very readable.
Another strength of the book is John le Carré's masterful command of the English language. He writes beautiful descriptions, and has a surprising and inventive way with words. I often found myself delighted with one sentence after another, each one saying something in a way I hadn't realized was possible.
The way in which the plot is slowly but surely expanded is also very satisfying. We start out with the daily lives of a few seemingly ordinary people. But then the seemingly ordinary people are shown to be less and less ordinary, and at the same time more and more people are added to the story, and the scope of the story expands until high-level international politics of the worst sort get involved.
Yet another positive aspect of the book is the large amount of very interesting information about life in Panama and how Panama society works. In this respect the book can be considered to be an insider's tourist guide to Panama.
Highly recommended - and to be read slowly and savored.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By M. A. Ramos
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
The plot though rather good, could not keep my attention. Some of the characters are well written, but others, seem to drag the book down. The book does not flow and you will find yourself putting it down to do something. The story is a satire on the time when America has just handed over the Panama canal. Though I cannot believe that any agency would fall for the information that was passed on by Harry, the tailor and would be spy. Of course I read the whole book, becasue my rule is once you start ....finish it. Other wise I would have put it down. Just watch the movie.
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3.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad!
This is not as good as the other le Carre books I have read. It isn't sure whether it is a black comedy, a spy story or a romance. Read more
Published 1 month ago by nonnaknits
3.0 out of 5 stars
Begins brilliantly, then unravels
This begins with a brilliant, virtuoso first 100 pages as Osnard meets the eponymous tailor to have a suit fitted and they banter back and forth. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J & K
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Homage to "Our Man in Havana"
This is not a Le Carre spy thriller. If you come to this book expecting another of his great spy books then you may be disappointed. Read more
Published on 2 May 2011 by Mr. Ross Maynard
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unexpected
With a storyline perhaps a little too close to Our Man in Havana, the story is not quite the sort of spy thriller one usually associates with le Carre. Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2010 by Gastronaut
3.0 out of 5 stars
A tangled web...
Interesting spy thriller set in Panama after the collapse of the Noriega regime. Excellent sense of time and place and of the desperation of the characters making the best of a... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2008 by Caroline Cormack
3.0 out of 5 stars
What's all the fuss about?
I'm surprised by the rave reviews on this site. I bought the book expecting to like it, but I was disappointed. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2004 by Flashman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Le Carre Does "Our Man in Havana"
If you read and liked Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana, I predict you will like The Tailor of Panama. Read more
Published on 27 May 2004 by Donald Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Le Carre Does "Our Man in Havana"
If you read and liked Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana, I predict you will like The Tailor of Panama. Read more
Published on 27 May 2004 by Donald Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
one of the best
I agree with the second reviewer this book is one of Le carre's
best not a Tinker, tailor, soldier ,spy effort to be sure but good characterisation and outstanding plot make... Read more
best not a Tinker, tailor, soldier ,spy effort to be sure but good characterisation and outstanding plot make... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
I have just been browsing through various reviews on the Amazon site and in particular reviews on le Carre's recent efforts. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2001
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