The Russia House Book Summary

In 'The Russia House,' John le Carré crafts a riveting tale of espionage and betrayal set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The story centers on Barley Scott-Blair, a British publisher who is unwittingly drawn into a dangerous world of intelligence when he receives a manuscript from a mysterious Russian. As he navigates a landscape filled with double agents and shadowy figures, Barley must grapple with the moral ambiguities of his involvement. Secrets unravel and loyalties shift in a high-stakes game where trust is in short supply. Will Barley's pursuit of truth lead to salvation or destruction in a world where nothing is as it seems?

By John le Carré

Published: 2011

"The truth is always the first casualty of war, and the heart is the first casualty of the truth."

Book Review of The Russia House

It is the third summer of Perestroika. Barley Blair, London publisher, receives a smuggled document from Moscow. It contains technical information of overwhelming importance. But is it genuine? Is the author genuine? A plant? A madman?

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The truth is always the first casualty of war, and the heart is the first casualty of the truth.

The Russia House

By John le Carré