Smiley's People: George Smiley Novels, Book 7

I’ve just reread my way through the Smiley novels and am more convinced than ever of Le Carre’s preeminence among writers in English.A deep understanding of human character, both warmly compassionate and brutally honest, informs everything he’s done, and nowhere more effectively than this elegy, and I think that’s what it is, for the cold warrior George Smiley, and for the Cold War of my coming-of-age.Of course, that war is still with us, because, as Le Carre reminds us, that is how humans amuse ourselves, trying to find some kind of solace in a world where one can not really escape one’s own (or anyone else’s) struggle for agency, for safety, for power, for protection, for peace.Smiley, watching Karla cross the bridge, in his moment of triumph, comes face to face (again) with the reality of compromise, and the futility of the knight’s quest.

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.)

Although hes been retired and nearly forgotten Smiley can't let go of his past. He's seen victory, ineptitude, treachery and failure. His old "Circus" is in a spin and Smiley is completely out of it until a mysterious call comes through to the "Circus" from a man known as the General asking for Smiley. The General is an old spy who, in the eyes of the remaining people at the "Circus," has long been put to pasture. But Smiley hasn't forgotten his reliable and faithful spy. When Smiley learns of the call with it's cryptic message and discovers that the General has been killed he goes to work, suspecting the call could lead to the location and ultimate defeat of Smiley's nemesis from the other side. One by one Smiley reels in evidence from talks with his people and from dusty forgotten files that lead to a mesmerizing, bittersweet climax."Smiley's People" completes another solid chapter of the international spy game that only Le Carre could pull off. He's a master.

I used to own "The Quest for Karla" omnibus of which this work is the last book. It was destroyed by too many readings. So I purchased the kindle edition since I find it uncomfortable now that am older to hold a book opened.I have all John Le Carré's books either on the shelf or in my Kindle. I could say that "Smiley's People" is one of the 7 or 8 top preferred although I also re-read with similar anticipation and pleasure such titles as The "Night Manager", "Single and Single" or "The Taylor of Panama". It is perhaps the atmosphere that touches me more closely in "A Small Town in Germany" or in "Smiley's people".This particular book is a thoroughly satisfying end of the trilogy. As different from the "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy" as from "The Honourable Schoolboy" (which, IMHO is a superb, complex work which might require multiple readings) it is also a "Spy novel" but as usual with Le Carré, it is so much more than that. Many of the protagonists of the 2 previous tomes re-appear and, for the curtain call, even Anne's lighter.In typical Le Carré style, the story progresses through a succession of scenes tour à tour macabre, frightening, sad, suspenseful, humorous or rejoicing, observed through the humane vision of a master. True to the genre Le Carré also gives us some good spy tradecraft.He is my favorite author by far although my compatriots - their government rather- are sometimes in his sight. (with good reason probably) Everybody gets the same treatment anyway. Certainly his hero has no illusion about himself no matter what his nemesis Karla thinks about "the last illusion of the illusionless man".Although Le Carré describes terrible situations, life goes on (for most of the participants anyway) with its little habits and comforts and funny moments that he presents with much humor and compassion.

This is the third volume of the 'Karla Trilogy', in which George Smiley, by clinical analysis and surgical intervention, contrives to bring about the defection to the West of the notorious Soviet spymaster, Karla. Le Carre's depiction of the world of espionage stands in stark contrast to that of Fleming: the flaws in human nature and institutions on both sides of the Cold War are unremittingly laid bare. Conflicting loyalties and emotions; mixed motives; the betrayal of individuals and organisations - these underlie the human interaction put before the reader. Smiley's ultimate success is tempered by the knowledge that it is, at best, the lesser of two evils; that the 'better' end is achieved by means foul as well as fair. He wins with a heavy heart and without the popping of champagne corks. It is a bleak world with little or no redemption, but Le Carre portrays it subtly and brilliantly.

Holiday plans behind the former Iron Curtain sparked my interest in spy-novels, and so I left for Leipzig with  Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy , The Honourable Schoolboy , and 'Smiley's people' in my luggage. The first two pleased my so immensely I couldn't wait to start reading this one, the final part in the trilogy of George Smiley's battle with the Soviet spymaster Karla. And I'm glad to say the (very) high hopes I had were not disappointed! I even think that 'Smiley's people' is - admittedly by a small margin - perhaps the best of the three in my personal opinion.First of all, it has, just like the earlier parts in the trilogy, simply everything I've come to expect in a Le Carré novel: brimming with intrigues, ploys and counter-ploys, loads of suspense, a very tight plot that keeps you wandering what'll happen next, brilliant dialogues and characterization, ... But what makes 'Smiley's people' stand out for me is George Smiley himself and how powerfully he is portrayed by Le Carré as perhaps the very opposite of the kind of man we often think of when we think of spies. Smiley's old, slightly overweight, retired, divorced, and in doubt if all he's ever done in his Secret Service career was actually worthwhile. But when a former agent is murdered and the trail leads to Karla, Smiley cannot help but give chase once again, and devote all his experience and intelligence to this final duel. Le Carré describes Smiley's painful private life in such a powerful way that to me this novel is much more a poignant portrait of a man who happens to be a spy, rather than a spy who happens to have personal problems.Whoever said spy-novels aren't Literature with a capital 'L'? Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyThe Honourable Schoolboy

In the final part of leCarré's Karla trilogy, George Smiley is recalled from his unhappy retirement when one of his former agents suddenly reactivates. The now toothless and politically driven intelligence service wants a quick, clean closure to the case to which they attach little value. Smiley, however, begins an independent investigation; at first out of respect for his old agent but increasingly because he begins to scent his nemesis, the Russian intelligence chief, Karla.Smiley's People is more similar to Tinker, Tailor than the middle novel, The Honourable Schoolboy. Like the first part of the trilogy, Smiley is firmly in the operational heart of the plot. He travels across Europe following the trail and with his unique, detached insight reconstructs the puzzle.The `people' of the title are the many returning characters -Connie Sachs, Peter Guillam, Toby Esterhouse- who join Smiley's private army, operating at the very greyest edges of the intelligence community. It is a genuine pleasure to again spend time with all of them, such is leCarré's mastery of their characterisation. If anything elevates leCarré above other thriller writers, it is the literary precision with which he constructs his characters and environments in addition to the byzantine plots. His style is lean, precise but never skimping on detail or humanity.The novel explores the toll of living in the clandestine world of espionage on the participants. Karla, once a faceless, shadowy bogeyman who lived only for the soviet mission, is humanised but it is that chink in his armour that Smiley pursues. Smiley, meanwhile, casts aside not only the remnants of his `civilian life' but also many of the ideals by which he lived to pursue his one chance to strike directly at his opponent. The reader is left wondering, after all the death and damage, is it worth it for the individuals or the nations they represent?It can be no accident that the imagery of chess continually appears in this novel. The intelligence chiefs of leCarré's world construct operations like grand masters, thinking a dozen moves ahead, analysing their opponents' strategy and willing to make any sacrifice to preserve their long game. The difference in this novel is that Smiley and Karla are no longer playing at a distance: they are both on the board.Of course, the ultimate game player is leCarré, who confidently moves his character around a complex and mesmerising plot. He is clearly at home in the western European theatre and revels in bringing the contest between Smiley and Karla to a conclusion in a way that resonates across all of the Smiley novels, not just this trilogy. If there is any criticism at all, it is that perhaps Smiley's people is a little less disciplined and compact than Tinker, Tailor but the result is no less satisfying.

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.

Five stars of course, who would give less. The slow build up is masterful. If you are a Smiley fan, then I'm preaching to the choir, if you are a Le Carre fan I'm preaching to the curate. So only espionage fans who have never read any need my advice. My advice is read it, but read Tink, tailor first.