Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: A George Smiley Novel

This story, dark and with more twists and turns than a mountain road, brings old ghosts back to life, old loves and betrayals into the bright light of day. World-weary George Smiley is drawn once again into the shadow-war, pitted against Karla - the deft hand who has steered a chance at redemption of sorts back into Smiley's hands. This story was made into a wonderful series starring Sir Alec Guinness as Smiley, Alexander Knox as Control, Ian Bannen as Jim Prideaux, Michael Jayston as Peter Guillam, and Patrick Stewart as Karla. The Washington Post summed up the 6-part series beautifully : "One of the most madly atmospheric and enjoyably literate films ever done for television." Enjoy this book as it slowly unfolds, moving backwards and forwards, and then find the series via Acorn video...but enjoy each chapter a week at a time as first broadcast, putting written character into the physical presence of these veteran actors. Time well spent.

If one were to ask John le Carré, the admirable author of so many admirable intelligence novels, if he had been—that is, if his real-life person, David Cornwell, had been himself—an intelligence officer of some or other sort, his answer would have been a peremptory no. As peremptory as his rejection of a knighthood, the CBE, from the British Crown. However, by now, we seem to know better after the famous double-coat Kim Philby blew Mr. Cornwell’s (a.k.a. le Carré) coveted cover. Don’t we? He avenged Philby in his masterpiece Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. This knowledge should make the book even more desirable and interesting. The book and the cinematographic versions: a 1979 BBC miniseries and now the 2011 major motion picture.

Fantastic and imagination indulging novel. Only rough part would be how you must wrap your head around the characters and setting. Who is who and what is what? It's all very specific; even made me go back to reread twice before I ever finished it once. But trust me, it's worth it.