In this episode, novelist Michael Idov joins me to discuss John le Carré’s novel Our Game. Michael has written for numerous publications, was the Editor in chief of GQ Russia, is also a screenwriter and director and author of the new spy novel The Collaborators.

We talk about why we enjoy one of le Carré’s more underrated novels. Plus we get into the politics of the time as well as how le Carré was prescient about the situation with Russia and the Caucasus region.

All that and much more in this episode.

Michael’s Website – https://www.michael-idov.com/

Michael’s book The Collaborators

Michael’s book The Cormorant Hunt

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, novelist Scott O’Connor returns to continue our discussion of John le Carré’s novel The Constant Gardener.

We explore significant characters like Tessa and Arnold Bloom, discussing their roles and revelations about sexuality and societal norms in Kenya. We also talk about the moral complexities faced by Justin, and just what the one spy in the novel is up to.

Finally we chat about the movie and what we think about a potential TV version of the novel. What would a modern reinterpretation of the novel in the post-pandemic context would look like? We get into it.

All that and much more in this episode.

More on Monty Don

Scott’s Website – http://scott-oconnor.com/

Scott’s book Half World

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, creative writing teacher and acclaimed writer Scott O’Connor joins to explore the layered complexities of John le Carré’s novel The Constant Gardener. The discussion ranges from O’Connor’s initial discovery of le Carrés works while researching for his own novel, Half World, to the idea that readers often connect with books differently depending on their life’s circumstances.

We look at the thematic elements of The Constant Gardener, such as the focus on abusive systems, the development of characters like Justin and Tessa, and how le Carré’s storytelling and risk-taking make this novel compelling. Also, could le Carré have written an episode of COLUMBO? Plus, how much gardening do we really get in this book?

All that and much more in this episode.

More on Monty Don

Scott’s Website – http://scott-oconnor.com/

Scott’s book Half World

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this mini episode, Mark Meynell returns to explain just what that whole High Church/Low Church concept discussed in A Murder of Quality is about. Mark explains the historical and social distinctions between the two, detailing how Anglicanism and its relationship with non-conformist denominations shaped British society and class systems over time. He also touches upon how these religious affiliations have evolved and their current status in secular Britain. 

It doesn’t get any more exciting than this!

– Mark’s website

– Mark’s bookshop with le Carré books on sale

– Mark’s podcast Triptych Conversations

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In the latest episode of the le Carré Cast, host Jeff continues his discussion with Mark Meynell about the themes and narrative intricacies of John le Carré’s A Legacy of Spies.

The conversation explores how le Carré revisits and deconstructs the world and characters he created in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, revealing the bleak and ultimately futile nature of the spy operations depicted. They discuss the nuanced portrayal of characters like George Smiley, the overarching themes of distrust and ambiguity, and the broader implications of these themes in today’s sociopolitical climate. Additionally, they consider the potential challenges and approaches for an upcoming TV adaptation of le Carré’s works.

All that and much more in this episode.

00:00 Introduction and Recap

00:36 Deflating the Victories

01:35 Questioning the Worth

02:43 Revisiting Characters and Plots

04:20 The Ruthlessness of Control

05:48 Tulip’s Exfiltration

13:20 Legacy and Conspiracies

21:13 The Haunting Legacy of Fathers

22:12 Meeting David Cornwell: A Personal Experience

23:18 The Ruthlessness of Smiley

27:06 Margaret Thatcher and the IRA

30:42 The Upcoming TV Show: Legacy of Spies

33:15 The Complexity of le Carre’s Characters

39:27 Final Thoughts and Future Projects

41:15 Podcast Promotions and Farewell

– Mark’s website

– The Met Police undercover officers scandal

– Mark’s bookshop with le Carré books on sale

– Mark’s podcast Triptych Conversations

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode of the le Carré Cast, host Jeff speaks with Mark Meynell, a freelance writer and author of ten non-fiction books, about his transition to writing fiction and his recent book, ‘A Wilderness of Mirrors.’

The discussion covers Mark’s discovery of John le Carré’s works, particularly A Legacy of Spies. They delve into the themes of espionage, secrecy, and the moral complexities of the Cold War as portrayed in le Carré’s novels. The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of le Carré’s recurring characters and broader societal issues such as public inquiries and truth-telling.

All that and much more in this episode.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:53 Discovering le Carré
04:01 Legacy of Spies Discussion
07:11 Revisiting the Cold War
20:03 Smiley’s Character Analysis
21:27 The Puppet Master: Smiley’s Control
21:48 Lady Ann and Poor George
22:20 Smiley’s Genius and Legacy
23:58 The Corrosive Effect of Secrecy
25:40 The Anti-Bond: Smiley’s Disillusionment
26:07 The Untrustworthy Institutions
28:20 The British Way of Sweeping Under the Rug
30:53 Truth Telling and Reconciliation
33:12 The Complexity of Forgiveness
38:23 The Role of Female Characters
42:12 Leamas and His Network
43:28 Cliffhanger and Next Episode Teaser

– Mark’s website

– The Met Police undercover officers scandal

– Mark’s bookshop with le Carré books on sale

– Mark’s podcast Triptych Conversations

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In part two of my discussion with Sleeper Beach novelist Nick Harkaway we discuss the latest in le Carré news.

Nick talks about the upcoming adaptation of one of his novels into an Amason Prime show Kill Jackie, season 2 of The Night Manager and an update about the new comic series, The Circus: Losing Control. Finally, we of course chat about the new Smiley series. Will we see The Young George Smiley Chronicles?

Plus, the history of Finland in World War 2?

All that and much more in this episode.

Nick’s website – https://nickharkaway.com/

Nick’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harkaway/

Buy Titanium Noir here.

Buy Sleeper Beach here. The Blackwell’s Link

The le Carré Sub-reddit is here.

The le Carré Facebook page is here.

More on The Blind Giant here.

Learn about when John le Carré met Rex Stout here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

Episode image from Font generator

In this episode I am pleased to welcome back novelist Nick Harkaway. We discuss his latest work, Sleeper Beach, the second in his Titanium Noir series of futuristic mysteries. We talk about his earlier nonfiction book The Blind Giant, how we should be using technologies, and what does it mean when tech companies turn un-Evil.

Plus, get your elevator pitch on why you should read Sleeper Beach.

All that and much more in this episode.

Nick’s website – https://nickharkaway.com/

Nick’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harkaway/

Buy Titanium Noir here.

Buy Sleeper Beach here. The Blackwell’s Link

The le Carré Sub-reddit is here.

The le Carré Facebook page is here.

More on The Blind Giant here.

Learn about when John le Carré met Rex Stout here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode I welcome Tod Hoffman, author of Le Carré Landscape, to the show.

Tod is a former Canadian Intelligence Officer and used that knowledge to write his insightful book looking at le Carré’s work. We discuss le Carré’s use of interrogation in his novels, slow moving bureaucracy versus moving quickly and his decision to leave the service. Plus the long shadow of Kim Philby on fiction and reality.

All that and much more in this episode.

Tod’s book Le Carré’s Landscape is here.

Tod’s book The Spy Within: Larry Chin and China’s Penetration of the CIA is here.

Tod’s book Al Qaeda Declares War: The African Embassy Bombings and America’s Search for Justice is here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode we break down the news of a new George Smiley TV series – Legacy of Spies.

I have TV and Film expert Matthew Bradford on to talk through what we know and might expect to come. We talk about the long gestating project, producers, and casting.

All that and much more in this episode.

Matthew’s interview with Graham Yost in which he talks about his love of le Carré.

Tom and Greg supercut.

Matthew on le Carré is here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite