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The Constant Gardener
- Narrated by: Michael Jayston
- Length: 17 hrs and 10 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
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Summary
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What listeners say about The Constant Gardener
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- joanna green
- 30-11-14
Emotional, addictive and typical Le Carre
What made the experience of listening to The Constant Gardener the most enjoyable?
The story is so leading. Having listened to a number of Le Carre's more traditional spy thrillers, this is a bit of a side step into international relations and politics, but it is just as tense, and more emotional because of the crime being investigated. You stay with the protagonist all the way through to the inevitable ending.
What other book might you compare The Constant Gardener to, and why?
If you imagine the storyline of a John Grisham set in the tense world of Le Carre's spys, this marries the two together. I really love it, although I found it very emotional to listen to. The protagonist is almost a younger less disillusioned Smiley
What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?
I love Michael Jayston's performance on this- there is a hint of a cautious observer, combined with passion that moves with the flow. I have listened to a number of his narration a of Le Carre's books and it always convinces me to get it.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It is a very emotional story, and a side step for Le Carre in this sense. Your heart does bleed for the protagonist, and having watched the film before listening to this, I knew the ending and was dreading it. Don't let this put you off- it's not overdrawn, but a necessary, inevitable resolution.
Any additional comments?
I really love this story! The narration is beautiful and the story moves in the way you expect a Le Carre to move.
9 people found this helpful
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- Walter Millar
- 31-07-15
One of Le Caras best
Slow start but great story Le Carrae captures the middle class mess of the foreign service perfectly
4 people found this helpful
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- M. E. Ditchburn
- 13-04-13
A long way from Smiley, but just as excellent
I knew a little of the shadowy side of the giant Pharma corporations, and I new a little of the problems facing Africa in the form of TB and other serious diseases. Putting the two together and we in the west have yet more to be deeply ashamed of.
This is a beautiful and sad book with characters to love, pity and loathe. And all wrapped up in the typical Le Carre way. Perfect.
Michael Jayston narrates perfectly.
8 people found this helpful
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- Jules Blunt
- 06-04-15
Long dry and unexciting
Persevered to the end but was so dry and hard going if it wasn't in my nature to keep going I would Hv quit after the first half hour. Interesting story concept. About 11 hours too long
6 people found this helpful
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- Ken Sanderson
- 25-11-19
superb
JLC at his very best. a story full of intrigue and local history around the relationship between Africa and the UK and norw importantly in the 21st century Africa, commerce and corruption.. The complete love of money will never win in the end.
or will it?
1 person found this helpful
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- Vicuña
- 26-02-16
Gripping story and thought provoking issues
Would you listen to The Constant Gardener again? Why?
Probably not. I rarely listen to stories again. Too many books, too little time! It's a brilliant listen though.
What did you like best about this story?
Plot, characters, ethical issues, quality narration, humour, dialogue, pompous Brits abroad exposed for their specious values...I could go on!
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Many very different and enjoyable scenes. A desperate escape in a car with no tyres was breathtaking, FO wives abroad are a well portrayed along with their husbands with double standards.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Think twice before you swallow that pill.
Any additional comments?
Great novelist, gripping plot, characters and dialogue. Outstanding narration with clearly discernible voices for each character.
1 person found this helpful
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- Cerebum
- 01-10-15
Very british
It wasn't exciting or edgy it just quietly worked it's way into my subconscious. A very moving story
1 person found this helpful
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- rodney
- 28-09-15
Jayston is at his best when narrating Le carré.
Jayston's narrative is wonderful. I think his style and pace are spot on, for me
1 person found this helpful
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- Misspelt
- 02-03-21
So very dull
Great narration, shame the plot was so poor. No tension, no twists, no... anything really. Just lots of dull. I understand the film is 'okay', all I can guess is they cut the dull bits from the book and changed the plot.
There are a lot better stories out there. Don't waste time on this.
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- Andrea Edan
- 21-02-21
Excellent book, excellent narration
If you have high expectations of a John le Carré story, this book will meet them all. Complex characters and a complex story but held together with the masterly storytelling which defines this author. Michael Jayston's narration is the icing on the cake. I have read this book before in print and seen the film but because it was a while back, I had no problem immersing myself in the very believable story once more. A treat. So sad John le Carré's passing. He will be much missed by all of those, like me, who have enjoyed his books and awaited each new one eagerly.
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- Rosalind
- 09-02-12
Entertaining
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, I found it interesting, particularly because it took part in a country which is dear to my heart.
I find le Carre books quite difficult to follow at times. Even though they don't adopt the now popular editing method of jumping ahead in time then back again, which adds pace and anticipation to a novel, but can also be confusing.
If you’ve listened to books by John le Carré before, how does this one compare?
This is only the second book of his that I have listened to, and I did enjoy it.
Have you listened to any of Michael Jayston’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No, but I thought he did a splendid job of the narration,
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Not at all. I paced it over about 4 days, which was just fine.
Any additional comments?
I found it a little drawn out and it probably took a little too long to reach the vital moment of exposing the full plot and motivation. I feel that clever editing could have improved it, but that was fundamentally the old school of writing. Or perhaps thats just the way le Carre wanted it.
1 person found this helpful