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Series Review
Cold War, UK: Retired Spook Recalled to Duty
George Smiley, hero of the Karla Trilogy, was recalled from retirement when his government needed an outsider for a very special job, hunting a mole in the sacred precincts of the British secret service. Set during the Cold War.
The best spy novels--ever
Believe the hype: these are the best spy novels ever. I love these books because they are as rich as my favorite dark chocolate: rich in character, in story, in social commentary. And beautifully written.
Series Guide
Each novel stands alone, so start anywhere. Book #1 and Book #3 are set in the UK. Book #2 is set in Asia.
Book Summaries
Below, a list of the George Smiley spy novels in chronological order:
(1974, Karla Trilogy Featuring George Smiley #1)
George Smiley comes back from retirement to investigate the allegation that there is a mole in the Circus's top management. He roots out Gerald, the mole at the top of the Circus.(1977, Karla Trilogy Featuring George Smiley #2)
Smiley is in charge of the spy service, which is almost moribund. In a daring operation, he attempts to bring the Circus back to life and punish Karla, the Russian spymaster who recruited and ran Gerald. Smiley's People (1979, Karla Trilogy Featuring George Smiley #3)
Smiley, still in charge of the Circus, finally finds Karla's weak spot--a daughter hidden in an asylum in Switzerland--and launches the operation that will result in the Russian's downfall. Welcome to the Circus
These books tell the story of a generation of English secret servants: those who came of age as spies during World War II and went on to run their country's intelligence services during the morally ambiguous days of Cold War.
The Circus is the nickname for the British intelligence outfit whose activities are chronicled in these books. Like most closed societies, the spooks of the Circus speak their own peculiar jargon (invented by the author).
Circus top management is called "the fifth floor" (because that's where their offices are located) by officers of lower rank. Meetings are held in the "rumpus" or conference room. Officers who work in London are called "juju men" by the "hard men," who work in the field, the "scalp-hunters," who handle assassination, kidnapping and blackmail, the "baby sitters" or body-guards, the "pavement artists," who tail people on foot, the "ferrets," who find and remove electronic surveillance, and the "lamplighters," who install electronic surveillance.
The job of the officers in London is "running joes," people with access to intelligence, usually because they work for "the Opposition" or "Moscow Centre" (the Soviet Union and its Satellites). Joes are identified by their "handwriting" or tradecraft. To ascertain the veracity of intelligence, one takes "back-bearings." To get a joe to work for you, you "burn him," perhaps by using a "honey-trap" (seduction for the purpose of blackmail).
Other jobs at the Circus include: Housekeeping (finance, cover identities, safe houses), the Janitors (building security), Registry (files the intelligence), the Mothers (secretaries working on the fifth floor), and the Burrowers (researchers).
Sarrat is the name of the compound that holds "the Nursery" (training school) and the interrogation center, which is manned by the "Inquisitors."
"The Cousins" are the CIA specifically, and American spies in general. "The Competition" refers to other branches of the British Secret Service.
Book Reviews
Karla Trilogy
(From newest to oldest; Dates refer to publication in the US in English;
# refers to series order).
Above, from top to bottom: Cambridge Circus, London, England during the Cold War; Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, West Germany, during the Cold War; Whitehall, London, present day; Headquarters of MI-6, London, present day
(1974, Karla Trilogy Featuring George Smiley #1)
by John le Carré
US BESTSELLER
Not just my favorite spy novel, but one of my favorite books of all time. The gorgeous writing brings a rich world to life. The complex, layered story is full of lovely, flawed people facing hard moral choices. The intellectual, self-effacing George Smiley is the anti-Bond. Instead of physical daring, he dares to think the unthinkable: can the most well-loved and successful spy in the Circus really be a double agent?
I also really enjoyed the movie adaptation of this book starring Gary Oldman, released in 2011. The TV mini-series starring Alec Guiness is a classic, of course, but I don't think it stands the test of time too well.
(Bestsellers, Historical, Espionage, Literary, Set during the Cold War in the United Kingdom.)
(1979, Karla Trilogy Featuring George Smiley #3)
by John le Carré
US BESTSELLER
Another great book from Le Carré. Smiley brings Karla to his knees in a story that is suspenseful from the first to the last page. To the usual cast of Circus agents and joes add an extraordinary supporting cast of Russian exiles and cadres.
(Bestsellers, Historical, Espionage, Literary, Set during the Cold War in the United Kingdom.)
(1977, Karla Trilogy Featuring George Smiley #2)
by John le Carré
US BESTSELLER
Le Carré's usual rich reading experience plus fascinating locations--Laos and Hong Kong in the 1970s. One of my favorite characters of all time, part-time spook, full-time loveable rogue Jerry Westerby. Less well-known than the other books in the trilogy because it was never adapted for television or film--the BBC said it would be too expensive to film the Asian locations.
(Bestsellers, Historical, Espionage, Literary, Set during the Cold War in the United Kingdom, Laos and Hong Kong.)
Video adaptations of the Karla Trilogy:
- Movie: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (UK, 2011, Gary Oldman)
- PBS Mini-series: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (UK, 1979)
- PBS Mini-series: Smiley's People (UK, 1982)
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