In this episode we begin our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy.

I’m pleased to welcome writer Paul French to the show. Paul has extensive knowledge of China and Hong Kong and is the perfect person to discuss this particular novel.

We talk about where le Carré got his ideas for the opening scene of the novel, the politics of the time and some F.I.L.T.H. Plus the Hong Kong foreign correspondents club’s urinal?

All that and much more in this episode.

Part 2

Part 3

Paul’s Website – https://paulfrench.substack.com/

Paul’s article on le Carré – https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/05/what-a-john-le-carre-novel-can-teach-about-china/

Paul’s new’s book Her Lotus Year – https://read.macmillan.com/lp/her-lotus-year/

Paul’s breakout hit Midnight in Peking – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/242223/paul-french/

Paul’s Twitter – https://x.com/chinarhyming

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite