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The Tailor of Panama

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The Tailor of Panama

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Charmer, fabulist and tailor to Panama's rich and powerful, Harry Pendel loves to tell stories. But when the British spy Andrew Osnard—a man of large appetites, for women, information and above all money—walks into his shop, Harry's fantastical inventions take on a life of their own. Soon he finds himself out of his depth in an international game he can never hope to win.

Le Carré's savage satire on the espionage trade is set in a corrupt universe without heroes or honour, where the innocent are collateral damage and treachery plays out as tragic farce.

'A work of rare brilliance' The Times

'A tour de force in which almost every convention of the classic spy novel is violated' The New York Times Book Review

©2024 John le Carré (P)2025 Penguin Audio Espionage Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Witty
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I got bored at the lack of progress of the story line- that's just not LeCarre's style, his brilliance is that the story seeps into your consciousness, like a slowly rising flood. But many many others enjoy his approach.

Grimly satirical

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I obviously love the Smiley series but this has to be one of the best that doesn’t feature George. Engaging even though the characters are rather a motley crew and are hard to like. Bitingly funny especially in its excoriation of the major institutions of the UK but with an almost classical tragedy feel due to the major characters’ hubris. Masterpiece.

As funny as it is tragic.

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Wonderfully plotted tale of espionage and opportunism. Fabulous characters brought to life by David Rintoul’s superb narration. He invests all Le Carre’s players with a dramatic realism you rarely find in audiobooks. Highly recommended.

Brilliant - Le Carre at his Best

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