In this episode, writer and podcaster Keir Graff joins to discuss John le Carré’s novel The Russia House.

We talk about whether book people would make good spies and le Carré’s eye for local details. We also discuss whether this book has more P.G. Wodehouse than other le Carré novels.

Plus, would an editor nowadays cut the first 50 pages?

All that and much more in this episode.

The Russia House movie documentary – https://youtu.be/eTZH6kzFb9c?si=3t_gKvTw7xcHtvBz

Keir Graff’s Website – https://keirgraff.com/

Sign up for Keir’s newsletter – https://keirgraff.com/newsletter/

The Filmographer’s Podcast – https://filmographerspodcast.com/

The Filmographer’s Podcast Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheFilmographersPodcast

Keir on the Fine Arts Building – https://www.newcity.com/2023/10/30/enduring-art-after-125-years-the-fine-arts-building-is-defiantly-unmodernized-and-ready-for-its-next-act/

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we talk with Helen Lewis and her new book, The Genius Myth. We talk about how to think about artists with problematic pasts, the influence of wives on “geniuses” and how to create a legacy.

Plus, what would a le Carré video game look like?

All that and more in this episode.

Helen’s Substack – https://helenlewis.substack.com/

Helen’s book – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803542/the-genius-myth-by-helen-lewis/

Helen on The Atlantic – https://www.theatlantic.com/author/helen-lewis/

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we welcome Federico Varese to the show. Federico is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive. He also served as editor of Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré a new collection of essays looking at le Carré’s writing and research methods.

We talk about Federico’s relationship with le Carré, how he became involved with the exhibition and book as well as his thoughts on le Carré’s writing process.

Federico also reveals where le Carré found real life inspiration for some of his villains as well as what he feels is le Carré’s great strength as a writer.

Plus, what does Federico think is the exhibition’s show stopper item?

All that and much more in this episode.

John le Carré: Tradecraft – The exhibition – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/lecarre

Buy Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré – https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/tradecraft-writers-on-john-le-carre

Federico’s website – https://federicovarese.com/

Sign up for the lecture Mick Herron will be giving on John le Carré on December 19th – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/dec25/mick-herron

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jessica Douthwaite to the show. Jessica is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive.

We talk about how Jessica became involved, what a curator does, and how the exhibition became focused on le Carré’s research methods.

Jessica also reveals some of the wonderful items that will be on display and how a loan of materials from the Cornwell family really helps to make the exhibits pop.

Plus, what could further exhibitions of le Carré materials focus on?

All that and much more in this episode.

John le Carré: Tradecraft – The exhibition – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/lecarre

Buy Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré – https://bodleianshop.co.uk/products/tradecraft-writers-on-john-le-carre

Jessica and Federico will discuss the exhibit on October 10th. You can sign up to join virtually here – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/oct25/tradecraft-the-exhibition

Sign up for the lecture Mick Herron will be giving on John le Carré on December 19th – https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/dec25/mick-herron

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode we continue to celebrate 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book.

For numbers eleven to twenty point five I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that about some of our favorite characters in the novel. From Connie Sachs to George Smiley, we cover them all.

All that and much more in this episode.

Matthew on le Carré is here.

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, we continue our year long look at Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with Tiffany Babb. We talk about her article “Because He Loved You”: The Queer Betrayal of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

We explore how queerness is portrayed in the novel, the complex relationship between Bill and Jim, and why le Carré’s approach stands out from other spy fiction.

We also talk about adaptations, the role of outsiders in the Circus, and the richness of le Carré’s world. It’s a thoughtful conversation about identity, betrayal, and what makes this classic novel so rewarding to revisit.

All that and much more in this episode.

Tiffany’s Website – https://www.tiffanybabb.com/

Tiffany’s Baseball Website – The Fan Files

Tiffany’s Comics Journal – The Comics Courier

Tiffany’s article “Because He Loved You”: The Queer Betrayal of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – https://www.thegutterreview.com/because-he-loved-you-the-queer-betrayal-of-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

In this episode, novelist Michael Idov returns 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 where Our Game should fit in the le Carré canon and what is going on in Russia. We also talk about how to write characters that don’t match you background. Plus, Michael talks about subversion with his show The Optimists. It’s a fun conversation I think you’ll enjoy.

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

Michael’s show The Optimists

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

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