Full disclosure: I am of that age wherein the narrator finds himself. By my bias, this is a great story, sprinkled with little bits of tradecraft that reminded me that John Le Carre is the master of the spy novel. Len Deighton's works did not surpass the master, and as much as I love Mick Herron and his Slough Horses, Mick has not matched either the body of work or the quality of writing that still sets the Smiley author apart.
Reading earlier works by Le Carre might help the casual reader, but it does stand alone as a seeming swan song of all of Smiley's People. Hopefully, reading this book might entice a new reader to. Find the old books that evoke this same feeling.

A traditional European Cold War spy thriller that was enjoyable to read, but difficult to follow the multitude of characters and chronology (e.g., past versus present) throughout the story.

In what is probably Le Carre's last book he ties up many loose ends (while still leaving - adding - a few more). A page turner yet somewhat empty. Leaves one longing for his earlier works

Snore.
The great author is 86 and it's time to sit on the porch and smoke his pipe.

Probably his last - he should have left us wanting more - and this ain't it!

Le Carre is of course a master wordsmith and for that reason alone this book should be read. However I couldn't help but think that if one had not read his earlier works, this would be a difficult story to follow. Has he run out of ideas?

Le Carré's best works are behind him, I think, this one is a rehash of earlier, better, books, with the accent on "hash"

One of the most accessible le Carre reads! He draws the reader in to good and bad relations between characters, thankfully keeping the cast to a manageable number.

There is no one who is as good a writer as this guy. This is a must read.

Book continues the George Smiley canon with Peter Guillam as this book’s central character. Must have read ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ and ‘The Spy who Came in from the Cold’ first.

An intriguing spy story that’s just a bit bogged down by all the old files Peter must peruse. Had a bit of the feel of a swan song as these characters have all gotten older. Hope not.

Good for die-hard Smiley fans, but I found they mystery/suspense element didn't shine as brightly as LeCarre's classics.