We learn about the almost random testing of drugs on innocent Africans who believe that the men in white will cure them. We learn about the multi-national complexities of the pharma industry and the decision makers who are far removed from the African reality. We follow the scientists who, having signed deals with the company, were pressurized to either ignore or falsify the evidence of fatal side effects of the drug under investigation. "The drug is good", says one of the inventors of the drug, " we just did not have enough time to test it out before releasing it." The complete disregard for the lives of human guinea pigs who 'would die anyway' reveals an incredible cynicism of the promoter of the drug in Africa, who repeats 'I love Africa'. The comprehensive network of evidence cover-ups, disappearance of bodies and destruction of records, paints a bleak picture of the goings-on in a country like Kenya. The deals made by the Foreign Service in London as well as Nairobi, bring a touch of familiarity to the intrigue and the plot. It is a novel, let's not forget it, although the reality of Kenya today is pretty realistically drawn with the corruption of the system, the readiness of the governments to strike deals with multinationals as well as the brutal police force, the "Moi boys". Le Carre is true to his reputation as an expert in character development. With fine attention to detail, he creates a set of characters who are as much stereotypes of British Foreign and Secret Service operating in Africa as they are real and complex individuals. The most intriguing character and the one who will attract most compassion from the reader, lives only through the descriptions, dialogues and daydreams of others. She lived life fully until caught up in the drug scandal. We know early on what happened to her, but Le Carre builds the events in a quest of discovery by her husband, the constant gardener. He is changed in the process of the quest and brings the story to a logical conclusion.
In the current debate around GMO (genetically modified organism) research, the difficulties some scientists experience when publishing critical research results on pharmaceuticals, the newly rekindled interest in Africa by western politicians, THE CONSTANT GARDENER is a very topical book. It is also captivating, and, despite the gravity of the issues, a good and intriguing story.
The story of woman, murdered in Kenya. who got a little too close to a mega-pharmecutical conspiracy, "Gardener" introduces us to a set of characters all too believeable in this day and age. We follow the dead woman's husband, Justin Quayle (the Constant Gardener of the title), as he searchs across three continents in pursuit of his wife's killers and their motive. Even with a somewhat predictable ending, Le Carre holds us close in Justin's journey in search of justice. There are no James Bond "gimmicks" here and you will have to look elsewhere for the likes of Pussy Galore or SMERSH. But still, Le Carre, ever the consoment professional, can make your grocery list read like things that go bump in the night. And that's high praise indeed.
'The Constant Gardener' is a really interesting book. It has an engaging beginning that will be solved throughout the novel. Tessa Quayle is brutally murdered in a distant region in Kenya-- where the couple lives. Before her death, she and her husband --the gardener in the title-- had felt apart. Ever since they moved to Africa, she involved with humanitarian works, while he focused in his office duties. The crime will shad a new light in her life, and Quayle will learn that Tessa is far from being what he thought she was.
In a nutshell the novel is Quayle's quest trying to find out who killed his wife and why. The deeper he goes, the more dirty he finds. He learns that her death may be linked to the pharmaceutical industry and its market in the third world.
Le Carré has his special gift for drawing believable plots with by characters that are very human. Quayle and Tessa are people that may be anyone's friends. The dynamics of their falling apart is very true to earth. But not only them are believable, but also the supporting characters.
The narrative is in a worthwhile slow motion --in other words, it requires patience from the readers. But people who enjoy Le Carré's style will find it fascinating the way he unfolds the story until it ending. At the same time, the writer is able to touch upon serious issues like the capitalism and the pharmaceutical industry that causes at lot of harm to many countries --mostly in the third world.
All in all, 'The Constant Gardener' is quite a decent read, but it requires a lot of concentration from the reader. It is different from the fast pace explosive thrillers that are out there, but it is still very good on its own merits.