Smiley's People: A George Smiley Novel

One of my favorite novel's, a fascinating story with original and intriguing characters. Kudo's to Amazon as well, the delivery of my order was timely and correct. A vast improvement on some of my past experiences.

How does an average, normal reader even begin to critique (review) the work of le Carré? The Karla Trilogy (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; Honorable Schoolboy: Smiley's People) is a series that I have had to reread on almost an annual basis since first discovering George Smiley in "Call for the Dead" ([...]) in the 1960's. I have even "enticed and corrupted" both my sons, one an Art Professor, the other a Diplomat, in my addiction and they too own and reread the books and have copies of the BBC series to watch. I shamelessly refuse to apologize for my enticement of them, or even perhaps, you the reader of this presumptuous review of such a masterwork. They are, after all, only fiction, just a series of `novels'? (Which are generally considered essentially trivial - an idea against which even Jane Austen's own strictures have had no effect). But so addictive is John le Carré's skill that even a vast general TV viewing public became so engrossed in a serialized BBC's series of one of his works that they brought the British nation to a standstill for each of the hour-long adaptions that were broadcast. Pure fascinating reading that evokes both characters and atmospheres so strongly they engage the reader and entice them to continue to read each and every one of his works. A craftsmanship based on real experience - in the British Secret Service - that adds such value to his inventions that they become a reality. The TV adaptation featured Sir Alec Guinness as the main character, George Smiley, dour, donnish master spy and charismatic leader. His portrayal was masterly, and therein lay a poisonous problem ... after the trilogy became both best-selling books, serialized television, and films; the author `killed off' (like Conan Doyle with Holmes, and Nicolas Freeling with Van der Valk) both the George Smiley, the circus, and all future Smiley's people by totally dropping him from his repertoire and changing his subjects to further and even more modern fields. In an interview the author explained his motivation for disappointing and stunning his loyal readership... "... the problem was ,whether I liked it or not by the time (Sir) Alec Guinness finished with him he was George Smiley - voice, mannerisms, looks - and by the time he had finished with my character I had been given back used goods. On the other hand, I didn't at all enjoy the fact that Smiley had somehow been taken over by my public..." Do read this wonderful series ... but your appreciation and enjoyment might also become as embittered as the rest of us disappointed fans at the disappearance of these fascinating characters and the intellectual twists of John le Carré's Smiley's people in their Cold War circus. (This review is my attempt for the whole of the "Karla" series.)

Often a book arrives at an appropriate time in one’s life and it is only then that it can be truly appreciated. At 50 I find I enjoy a more leisurely pace (if only I could find it in my own life) and this book is certainly in that category. It is also a time in life for reflection on the past, some much needed introspection, which mirrors much of Smiley's. That said the slow build to the final scene, the characters one meets along the way, the introspection of Smiley all adds up to a fascinating read. The ending had me caught between wanting the reveal and not wanting it to end - I actually found myself pausing as I read the final few pages. May not be every ones cup of tea, but for those willing to make the investment of time, it will be time well spent.

This novel is the thrilling culmination of the Karla trilogy, John Le Carre's three novels about the Cold War duel between George Smiley of the Circus, MI6, British Intelligence, and Karla of Moscow Centre in the Soviet Union. Karla surfaces in a very oblique, subtle, and roundabout way which only Smiley is truly qualified to sniff out. As usual, Smiley’s been sidelined by those with greater office politics skills but he’s drawn back in and given the opportunity to very unofficially attempt to trap his nemesis Karla who is very barely discernible through some odd contacts, some money trails, and a young woman in Switzerland. These are the elements of a spy novel that is subtle, morally deep, complex, and very sophisticated. It has all the usual trappings of Le Carre’s world - brilliantly realized minor characters, intricate and subtle narrative, a certain amount of globe trotting around Europe, and a mature, literary style which never disappoints.

From the original hardback back in the 1970s, through a bunch of paperbacks to now a Kindle book, this novel touches me more deeply with my own age, especially now that I feel Smiley's weariness in my own body. While the series continues, this is really the culmination, and it's a beautiful piece of writing - full of cold war espionage, violence and betrayal, but also brimming with the ambiguity of human feelings and behaviors. While the previous novel is somewhat overwrought, this one is as close to perfect as le Carré ever got. I will find it hard to read another book for a bit now, but just as I have done for decades, I will go on in my search for realistic spies in a genre that has mostly become about assassins and silliness. Smiley's People is one of the best portraits of the futility and intensity of the cold war.

"Smiley's People" reads like a farewell to all that spy stuff to which John Le Carré has treated us over so many years. In the end, Smiley has achieved what he wanted to achieve from the outset of his carreer and the round-about way, geographically as well as tactically, to get there is masterly told by John Le Carré. The novel brings us back to the Cold War, it does not shy away from murder so foul, and brings us from London via Paris, Hamburg and Thun in the Bernese Oberland to Glienicker Brücke across the river Havel. Smiley, in his retirement has not become mellower with age and keeps a critical disrace to all his former colleagues, with exception of Toby Esterhase who helps in his crafty way. As can be expected, the convoluted story is told with precise descrptions of the respective locales and personnel. What a joy to read.

I have read again Smiley's People as part of the process of re-reading the Smiley saga triggered by the last book A Legacy Of Spy. There are two line in this book which capture in my view the essence of this book, and of the best ones from le Carré: Smiley (speaking of Karla, the enemy of a life): "He was always an excessive smoker" Enderby: "Was he, by God, was he?" An apparently trivial bit of dialogue, almost irrelevant, through which le Carré manages to unveil wide open an entire world, or better, two worlds: that of George Smiley, the old master of tradecraft, whose total, deep, intimate knowledge of his enemy is put in contrast with that of the new chief, Saul Enderby, who shows no awareness of such, little details of Karla's personal life and who - in all his condescension and haughtiness - seems to consider such details as totally irrelevant, a pure fruit of Smiley's obsessive and compulsive mindset. All this is rendered in two simple lines of dialogue, no frills needed. And this is a message to his reader as well: in my novels, you might stumble in lengthy pages of apparently pointless descriptions...well, don't get bored with them, don't be one Saul Enderby, as I might well hide between those lines a small detail, a golden nugget that might become very important later on for the full understanding of the whole plot. This is the essence of this, as of many of le Carré's books: the ability of his heroes to spot - among bits and pieces of trivial events, often times hidden in the sea of boredom of some of his pages - the seeds of potentially bigger plots, the ability to connect weak dots allowing to go straight to the heart of your target. Now, as far as Smiley's People goes, the novel has many well known elements, not least the fact (a little formulaic if you will, as this was exactly the same set up in other stories of the saga) that Smiley is recalled from some form of retirement to do the job. But this is the book in which Smiley's victory is full without any bitter aftertaste like in the other novels. Le Carré' succeeds totally in delivering such a glorious ending without falling into tackiness; thus, the magnificent conclusion of a magnificent saga.

This is the eighth of the recent BBC radio productions of al John Le Carre's stories featuring master spy George Smiley. Following the events of `The Honourable Schoolboy', Smiley is now retired. But an old contact is brutally slain, and Smiley is asked by the powers that be to make sure there are no loose ends that could embarrass either the Circus or the British Government. As he trawls through the General's last days and slowly comes to realise just why he was killed, he finds an old adversary at the heart of things, and the opportunity to lay many old ghosts to rest. Once again this is an admirable bit of writing form Le Carre. Intricately plotted,. With a very real and believable feel. Lacking the glamour of, say, Bond stories, not shing away from the grim and murky realities of life. Smiley lives in a grim and paranoid world, where he cannot trust even those notionally on his own side. The atmosphere is tense and gripping. As well as the writing, there are a series of fine performances. Simon Russell Beale once again excels as Smiley. His performance is reminiscent of Alec Guinness's, but he manages to put his own stamp quite thoroughly on the role. He shows the ruthlessness of Smiley, along with his regret at doing what has to be done, very convincingly. The BBC have done a good job at trimming the story down to fit three hours, but without losing too much of the fine detail. I can only compare this to the Guinness TV adaptation, not having read the book, and some detail has been lost but the story is clear and flows well. There is, in addition, a very professional production, with unobtrusive sound effects that nicely help the story and set the scene, but do not detract from the actors performances. This is an all round excellent production, one which kept m riveted for the duration. There are three hour long episodes, on three discs in a double size jewel case. There is a limited set of liner notes with cast details and some notes about John Le Carre's career. Five stars, no hesitation. I also highly recommend all the others in the series to date.

great book but 20 pages were loose . probably damaged in transit. typical for amazon

It is a classic story by the master story teller.I had seen the BBC version directed by the excellent director Simon Langton.Though the series is wonderful nothing like holding this book in hands and read every sentence beautifully crafted.It is a pure art work.I recommend thus only to mature audiences who still enjoy old world charm brought out by the ENGLISH.