The Beeb miniseries of TTSS is my Happy Place, I have it on in the background when I work and often just listen to it as I fall asleep, there's just something about the dialogue and the ambience of it that calms me and makes me feel cozy. No one will ever out-Smiley Guinness, he was and shall always be the ultimate British spymaster. The more recent film was... solid, but couldn't hope to contain the immensity of the novel in a single film. It's got to be a slow burn, the story needs room to breathe and mope and sulk and simmer and finally come to a full boil when the mole is revealed. Love that you're so into le Carré, you and I have to be among the few book nerds with a full le Carré shelf next to a crowded Tad Williams shelf!
A masterpiece. I bought my hardback copy when it was first published, and that book has traveled with me since then, kept on my top shelf whereever I called home.
I’m on a huge spy kick right now. John Le Carre is the next author that I was looking at adding to my TBR. Haven’t read this book, but watched the movie years ago. I just finished Ben Macintyre’s A Spy Among Friends. Currently going through Tim Milne’s book on Kim Philby now. Excited to start on John Le Carre works.
I remember seeing that series back in the '70's. I think it was on PBS. It got me interested in reading spy thrillers. I always thought it would be cool to be a spy.😊
My phone must be a spy as I watched the movie version last night and today this review was in my feed😂😅😊. I share in your enthusiasm for what is one of the greatest spy thrillers of all time. Both adaptations have their merit with the film being better suited for the masses. The story draws upon the real life British Intelligence mole Kim Philby. Viewing the BBC miniseries "Cambridge Spies" provides a great deal of context to the story.
As a non-native English speaker I struggled with the first chapter of this book, and I was totally lost. I might go back and finish it one day. On the other hand, I enjoy reading his short novel "Call for the Dead."
Also as a non-native English speaker, this whole book was a bit of a struggle for me when I read it (7 years ago). But I still managed to enjoy it. Other Le Carrés I've read later didn't pose the same difficulty, though _The Constant Gardener_ is longer than TTSS. Maybe you could give other of his longer books a try, and then come back to TTSS and the rest of the Karla Trilogy.
Even though this is the 5th George Smiley book, it can be read as a standalone. In fact, the first time I read it, I had not read any of the George Smiley books before. This is also the first entry (along with the next two books in the series) in what is called the "Karla Trilogy." Again, this book resolves well, and you do not need to read the next two if you do no want to.
![ปฏิเสธไม่ไหว (Crush on you) - LIPTA feat. No One Else [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NBw1jF342vw/mqdefault.jpg)
That thumbnail was brilliant!
The Beeb miniseries of TTSS is my Happy Place, I have it on in the background when I work and often just listen to it as I fall asleep, there's just something about the dialogue and the ambience of it that calms me and makes me feel cozy. No one will ever out-Smiley Guinness, he was and shall always be the ultimate British spymaster. The more recent film was... solid, but couldn't hope to contain the immensity of the novel in a single film. It's got to be a slow burn, the story needs room to breathe and mope and sulk and simmer and finally come to a full boil when the mole is revealed.
Love that you're so into le Carré, you and I have to be among the few book nerds with a full le Carré shelf next to a crowded Tad Williams shelf!
A masterpiece. I bought my hardback copy when it was first published, and that book has traveled with me since then, kept on my top shelf whereever I called home.
That thumbnail..... those 2 BBC series defined Smiley for me
Great reviews, Brian!
I’m on a huge spy kick right now. John Le Carre is the next author that I was looking at adding to my TBR. Haven’t read this book, but watched the movie years ago. I just finished Ben Macintyre’s A Spy Among Friends. Currently going through Tim Milne’s book on Kim Philby now. Excited to start on John Le Carre works.
The last book were Smiley is mentioned A legacy of spies. Another brilliant novel!
i have it on my TBR pile here along with A Most Wanted Man. i have one for you: The Waterworks by E.L. Doctorow. right on your wheelhouse.
Read The Waterworks many years ago. Definitely👍
I remember seeing that series back in the '70's. I think it was on PBS. It got me interested in reading spy thrillers. I always thought it would be cool to be a spy.😊
Amazing review you got me sitting at the edge of my seat
I have my grandpa’s leather bound, but I seriously consider buying the trade paperback to have that cover
The BBC mini series is so rewatchble. I love Smileys People (show) just a bit more. George Smiley is Nobody's Fool🎸🎸🎸
The only book by le Carre I haven’t read is The naive and sentimental lover. One of le Carre’s own favourites!
My phone must be a spy as I watched the movie version last night and today this review was in my feed😂😅😊. I share in your enthusiasm for what is one of the greatest spy thrillers of all time. Both adaptations have their merit with the film being better suited for the masses. The story draws upon the real life British Intelligence mole Kim Philby. Viewing the BBC miniseries "Cambridge Spies" provides a great deal of context to the story.
Cool
As a non-native English speaker I struggled with the first chapter of this book, and I was totally lost. I might go back and finish it one day. On the other hand, I enjoy reading his short novel "Call for the Dead."
Also as a non-native English speaker, this whole book was a bit of a struggle for me when I read it (7 years ago). But I still managed to enjoy it.
Other Le Carrés I've read later didn't pose the same difficulty, though _The Constant Gardener_ is longer than TTSS.
Maybe you could give other of his longer books a try, and then come back to TTSS and the rest of the Karla Trilogy.
damn that thumbnail
Great miniature!! 😂
Brian, can this be read as a standalone, or do we need to read these in order? Thanks for the review.
Even though this is the 5th George Smiley book, it can be read as a standalone. In fact, the first time I read it, I had not read any of the George Smiley books before. This is also the first entry (along with the next two books in the series) in what is called the "Karla Trilogy." Again, this book resolves well, and you do not need to read the next two if you do no want to.
@@ericostby6762 thank you
Can you do a review of Eye of the needle?
Soon