John le Carre is a comfort read for me and Dreamscape Audio has been releasing new recordings over the last year or two. I thought Simon Vance narrated them all, but apparently he‘s just doing the Smileys. My brain is not braining right now, so I‘m opting to ignore publication order for now (and therefore other narrators) in favor of George and Simon. 💖
pickI probably shouldn‘t mark this reread as a review, but consider this a review of the audio narrated by Simon Vance. Vance is perfect for le Carre‘s novels. This one is not as adventurous or glamorous as his more well known novels, but the author himself notes that this is closer to reality than Spy or Tinker Tailor. It‘s petty, sad, and filled with egos that desperately want to be relevant but aren‘t. Le Carre‘s writing is brilliant, as always.
Also, day off! I am getting my car checked out (leaky tire?) and reading the next Smiley at the cute local coffee shop I should really patronize more. Other exciting plans for the day are buying a broom and neverending laundry.
pickA Murder of Quality is a British spy novel by John le Carré. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, primarily focusing on the investigation into the murder of Stella Rode at a prestigious English boarding school, Carne. Suspicion initially falls on her husband, but the investigation reveals a complex web of secrets and relationships within the school's faculty and community...
pickAs with the first George Smiley novel, Call for the Dead, this is a murder mystery, not the Cold War spy stories for which Le Carre became famous. It's a good mystery, plenty of English Murder Village style secrets, and it's tinged with sadness. Smiley always seems to disappointed, although not surprised, when people do bad things, and you can't help but walk away with a bit of that same melancholy. (Cont.⬇️)
pick“Karla's Choice“ is a must-read for fans of le Carré and anyone who enjoys intelligent, suspenseful fiction with a touch of moral complexity. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page, prompting reflection on the choices we make and the sacrifices we are willing to endure in pursuit of what we believe in.
The full Deep Dive review of this book can be watched from our YouTube channel...
https://youtu.be/b8LOb80yE2w
pickAfter reading Karla‘s Choice, I had to go back to the original Smiley stories, starting with this first one. It‘s definitely more murder mystery than espionage story, but it introduces a character who will become significant in later Smiley books (and I‘d totally forgotten about that!). This is at least my 3rd time reading this one. It‘s safe to say I love it still.
so-soAudiobook. This is one I probably should have picked up and read physically rather than listened to for greater comprehension. I didn't really get it, and why the author deviated from the spy intrigue to use his starring spy to serve as a private investigator in a case a woman who knew him as a colleague of others approached. But the characters of all involved were interesting, as well as Smiley's conversations with them over brandy or sherry.
