WW II Spy Novels discussion

'J.E. Bandy Jr.' - USA (also an author)
'Shailendra Singh' - Tinevelelvi, India
'Ankit' - Bangalore, India

Geez you guys. You're all three of you reading John leCarre and you don't even mention it to the rest of us? I am putting you on the spot. Tell us how it's going? How are you liking it? Is it your first such read?

Reminder: our sample questions



What made you choose this work?

What's it about?

Are you enjoying it?

What are you getting out of it?

Who wrote it? (Or, what do you think of the author?)

Are you going to read more from this author?

I came across John leCarre's "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" as one of the best spy thrillers. It was engrossing however not fully to my expectation. So I picked up "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (although I had seen the movie). This was a great book and I was compelled to start "The Honourable Schoolboy". Planning to finish Karla Trilogy. John leCarre " George Smiley" is one of the finest spy charaters.

Good job Shailendra. Thanks!

Regarding 'Tinker'---its unfortunate but I bet you probably saw the more recent theatrical release, which is inauthentic. If you ever return to interest in this title, please do watch the original BBC mini-series starring Alec Guinness. If you like Smiley as a character then it is Guinness' interpretation you ought to become familiar with.

When reading the Smiley stories, I always have Sir Alec Guinness in my mind..

I can't think of anyone better. Sir John Mills? Nope. Nor Gielgud nor Richardson. I mean sure, actors of that caliber could play anybody. But Guiness at that age actually looked very rabbit-like, which was just what was needed.

And Guinness as an actor--remember--was famous for the minuteness and nearly imperceptible scale of his acting. He didn't so much as raise an eyebrow. Perfectly poised. Many other actors were tied to grand, sweeping gestures and movements; practically contorting their faces as if made of rubber. Guiness hardly ever moved. It was said he gave impersonators fits; they had nothing to work with. Only Peter Sellers was ever able to imitate him and people only knew he was doing so if they were told beforehand.

I probably need to rewatch Our Man in Havana, its been a few summers since I watched it last.

I just finished reading The Spy Who Came From Cold,
Autor has described the Cold war enviorment and the heartless ,cold blodded games and its effects with such a flow that i felt moved this work indeed deserves the praise.
:),

Thanks for this chance

now to the questions
What made you choose this work?
I watched tinker tailor soldier spy (movie)and I like to read spy fiction key to rebecca, jason bourne, siam devlin etc.
it was here in the group i learnt about John Le Carré

What's it about? Early Cold war Spy and his emotions and devotions to the duty. and the end i felt sorry for the protagonist
Are you enjoying it?
Yes Indeeed

What are you getting out of it?
About life of these unseen wariors spies the challenges, decisions logic rationale depth of plot

what do you think of the author?
Would love to read more and check out the BBC series mentioned above

Are you going to read more from this author? Yes Yes Yes

Good job, Ankit. I appreciate you chiming in with your thoughts!

p.s. now if you keep on with LeCarre you should read 'Looking Glass War' next. I bet you missed reading 'Call for the Dead' (which comes before 'Spy Who' but you have a chance now to get back on track. 'Looking Glass War' or 'Small Town in Germany'. Hold off on 'Tinker, Tailor'.

will do Feliks :)