The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/

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

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://lecarrecast.com/