With the current world and political climate it is a great time to go back and listen to this excellent book about Russia behind the Iron Wall. It's iconic John Le Carré, in which you can never go wrong. It had all the trappings of a classic spy novel but also goes deeper than your average modern day airport read. The new narrator is a fresh take on an audiobook from the cold war era. Definitely recommend.

I'm loving John Le Carré's book. There is something about a good spy thriller that just makes me excited to read it. I need to read them all.

In The Russia House, John Le Carre takes us to the world of spies in Russia, Great Britain , and the United States. He exposes the layers of deception, lies, and mistrust amongst the individuals in the different organizations. I enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook.
I was given an ARC of this audiobook by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I've never read anything by this author before and I have been missing out!!!

The narration was really well done and I am glad I listened to this book opposed to reading. It was a whole other level of entertainment.

The whole book centres around a publisher who is given a manuscript while in Russia and ends up as an unlikely british spy! I found this book made me chuckle at how Barley got throwns the treacherous world of espionage when he is just a jazz loving ladies man.

It really was a great read and out of my normal historical mystery vibes but I am so glad I got the chance to read it.

4 stars

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dreamscape media for allowing me a chance to read The Russia House by John Le Carre. He is one of the authors I really enjoy reading stuff by. Now this audiobook version of it was narrated by Gildart Jackson. His voice was excellent. He made each character come alive. I was hooked on the story right away. The narration made me think I was one of the main characters and living his role. I was able to go along as if I was reading the text on my own. The main characters and supporting characters really made you feel like this was happening as you read it.

Another great book of John Le Carré, reading by a great narrator. This story shock me (in a good way) and I wasn’t capable to put it down. I was completely immersed into the book. Love it so much. John Le Carré is one of my favorite authors and always gift me with books that are so good!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This audiobook reminded me how much I love John le Carre. It’s not his peak work–not the Karla trilogy–but the story is still complex, morally ambiguous and beautifully written. As I listened to Gildart Jackman’s superb narration, I felt almost melancholy–for writers like le Carre are becoming a rarity and Gorbachev’s Russia is long gone.

I traveled to Russia rather a lot when I was young and one of the things that impressed me most about this book is le Carre’s deep understanding of the Russian people. At one point a character remarks that the Russians will ask you about God, Kafka and the meaning of life when they’re standing next to you in a public restroom. That’s the honest-to-God truth.

The book includes two afterwards, one written shortly after the novel appeared in 1989 and a second written two decades later. I remember well the optimism that infused everything during the time le Carre visited. Yes, there was still the same old fear and scrutiny and surveillance and bureaucracy, but Russia was changing too. On his trip le Carre had the chance to talk with famous dissident physicist Andrei Sakharov–and the chance to turn his nose up at an offer to meet famous traitor Kim Philby (who blew le Carre’s cover and hastened his departure from British Intelligence). Would that kind of thing be possible now, in today’s climate? Absolutely not.

In many ways, Russia House’s Barley Blair reminds me of le Carre. Blair–a 50ish book publisher with a weakness for liquor, a love of jazz and a passion for chess–has a Dickensian larger-than-life quality that makes him a strange sort of leading man. He’s anti-heroic, really, and yet…in the end…he distinguishes himself from the slew of CIA and MI6 agents who seem ill-equipped for glasnost. But so is the other side, as it turns out.

This is the most romantic le Carre novel I can think of and I appreciated the shift in sentiment. But it’s also got the same skepticism about the spy game as his other books, the same ability to see the absurdities of it all. What the book doesn’t have is a fast pace and a ton of action. If you’re looking for a story with an explosive, shocking, adrenaline-fueled narrative, this is not the book for you. On the flip side, if you want a glimpse into Russian culture, a good story and strong, believable characters you’ll probably want to give this a listen.

Before I end this review I want to give a shout out to Jackson. His ability to imbue each character with a distinct voice and persona was impressive. I couldn’t help but hear echoes of Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer (who played Barley and his love interest Katya in the movie). Jackson's range of accents and emotions was subtle but effective throughout.

Much thanks to Dreamscape and NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For me this was a good Le Carre because it stands alone from any Smiley related books.

The story is set at the time of Perestroika amd Glasnost, Gorbachev and the end of the Cold War, in other words - a time of optimism in the west.

I listened to a new audio recording and it was excellent. It certainly gives more than a nod to the film of the same name which starred Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer. The narrator, Gildart Jackson, doesn't imitate but does give a flavour of the actors and it works extremely well. He has a good string voice and doesn't over-dramatise anything. There's also a very interesting afterword by Le Carre that puts when this book was written firmly into perspective.

I found the story very easy to follow as Barley Blair is co-opted into the spying world in order that the US/UK can get their hands on some damning evidence of Russia's weapons capability. Of course Barley hadn't reckoned on falling for the woman at the heart of the deception.

I really enjoyed this. I sometimes struggle with Le Carre because they can become complex and my brain falls apart. The Russia House is not considered one of Le Carre's best but I found it very enjoyable and would recommend it to any Le Carre "virgin".

Thankyou to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio advance review copy.

If you enjoy bland stories where nothing remotely exciting happens, then this is the book for you. I was bored all the way through this book and kept waiting for something to happen. It never did.

Whilst in Russia attending a trade fair, our protagonist embroils himself in an unwitting case of espionage. This tale takes place during Perestroika, and Barley Blair is not a spy, he's just a lover of whiskey and jazz music, who is working for a little-known publishing house. He meets a beautiful and intriguing woman who persuades him to take a book back to Britain, and as he has already sailed past sobriety and reason, he agrees. This leads to British Intelligence becoming very interested in him. Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook with the most engaging narrator.

*A big thank-you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
Written in 1989, the year when the Berlin Wall fell and perestroika was one of the best known Russian words, John Le Carre created a novel which, in hindsight, proves how little the world of spies changed. Terrific book with a manuscript and love in the foreground (ring a bell?) and with witty language, so typical of David Cornwell, and observations which provide an intimate insight into the world unknown to most of us. The audiobook is narrated superbly by Gildart Jackson. A classic I was happy to listen to!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in audiobook format.

John Le Carré’s The Russia House is a masterful blend of espionage and romance, set against the backdrop of the Cold War. This audiobook, narrated by Gildart Jackson, brings the intricate plot and complex characters to life in a way that is both captivating and immersive.

The Russia House follows Barley Blair, a British publisher who becomes an unlikely spy after receiving a mysterious manuscript from a Russian scientist. The manuscript contains sensitive information that could alter the balance of power between the East and the West. As Blair navigates the treacherous waters of international espionage, he finds himself entangled with Katya, a beautiful and enigmatic Russian woman. Le Carré’s storytelling is poignant and suspenseful, weaving a narrative that is as much about human relationships as it is about political intrigue.

Gildart Jackson’s narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. His rich, mellow voice and impeccable pacing enhance the listening experience, drawing listeners into the world of Cold War espionage. Jackson’s ability to convey the subtle nuances of each character, from Blair’s weary cynicism to Katya’s quiet strength, adds depth to the story. His performance is engaging and emotionally resonant, making the complex plot easier to follow and more enjoyable.

Performance Highlights:

Jackson excels at differentiating characters through distinct voices and accents, making it easy for listeners to keep track of the various players in this intricate tale.
His narration captures the emotional undercurrents of the story, from the tension of espionage to the tenderness of unexpected romance.

Jackson’s voice perfectly complements the atmospheric writing of Le Carré, enhancing the sense of place and time.

Listening to The Russia House is a thoroughly engaging experience. Le Carré’s intricate plot and well-drawn characters are brought to life by Jackson’s superb narration. Whether you’re a fan of spy novels or simply enjoy a well-told story, this audiobook is a must-listen. The combination of Le Carré’s masterful writing and Jackson’s compelling performance makes for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Cold War intrigue.