Metafilter discussion

The book that polled highest to date as preferred next read is A Perfect Spy. But are there enough of us interested.to move forward in setting a date/time for discussion?

I'm in. Tho I've never done a book discussion group before so probably won't have much to say. I'd stick a post on the grey and see if people there are up for it. I don't think others are checking here as frequently as I tend to do.

That would be great, Robin.

I'm also on board. I've just put a request in for A Perfect Spy at the library because it's a book I'd like to read anyway. Even if the discussion group were limited to the few people who show up here, I'd be interested in going ahead with it. Thanks for staying on top of this Catherine.

I have read the book before, and will be happy to re-read and discuss it.

I'll have to request the book from the library - are we decided that it will be A Perfect Spy? I have no issues with that choice and would love to participate!

Yes, let's read it. What does everyone think of setting discussion for about a month from now, on May 7? I'll put up another discussion thread here then, or whatever other date we prefer, unless someone else crafts a more elegant approach. Robin, would you be wonderful and put up a notice on the gray?

Heh, I meant it as a general "I'd" but I was brave and made the post (my first to the gray). Let me know if I did it wrong or anything. May 7th is good for me.

Never done this sort of thing (reading has always been something of a private activity for me), but I'm game to try.

Saw the post on MetaTalk, and I'm looking forward to this!

I'm in. Also, excited.

Great post, Robin!! Thank you! (Sorry to delegate when you weren't meaning to volunteer. I re-read your initial comment a few times and decided you sounded willing to do so, but I did debate with myself and now think I shoulda clarified.)

I'm also in! Haven't done book clubs before online or offline, but this sounds interesting.

Sounds good, I'm in!

Heh that's ok Catherine. It allowed me to score another badge in Metafilter life of posting to the grey.

I'm in! Thanks for organizing this.

I found a $1 copy at the used book store, so I'm in!

I've put in a request for this from the library, so I'm in too!

I'm in! and excited to read this book!

Saw the post about this on the gray. I'm in! Look forward to the discussion.

Another newbie to book clubs checking in. I've got the Kindle version and I'm ready to go. I'm looking forward to it.

One thing I'd encourage people to do, if at all possible, is not only to read Perfect Spy the print book but also hunt down LeCarré's audiobook reading of it. Magnus is shown in the book as entertaining his father's "court" with his mimickry. ("Magnus and his voices...") This is also autobiographical -- LeCarré/Cornwell is a fantastic reader, and I have no doubt the voice he does of Rick in Perfect Spy is Ronnie Cornwell's. (That is, David Cornwell's real-life con-man father.)

As it happens I've written to Cornwell praising him about this, and he was kind enough to reply.

Anyway... Yes, get the recording if you possibly can.

For those of a visual frame-of-mind, it's worth finding the picture of Ronnie that illustrated a piece by LeCarré in the New Yorker a few years back. He's at Ascot, in tails and a top hat, and jaunty as hell.

I've never participated in a book club either and I'm always looking for something different to read. So I'm in, too! (I'm ladygypsy on MeFi)

The version of the audiobook I found is the BBC radio play. Do you know where the one read by LeCarre can be found?

I'm in. It isn't my usual sort of book, but it is always good to try something different.

I'm in.

Kit, searching ebay I can find a couple of copies. The key seems to be they say "1986 audio cassettes." Here's an example -- notice how the cover image says, "Written and Read by..."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perfect-Spy-J...

Also, looking at that listing, it says the ISBN for the audiobook is 0886461979. Back at Amazon, searching on that ISBN brings up more copies - 3 new, 18 used.

I've started it and it is hard to put down. What a good book.

OK, I now have a scan and transcription up of the letter from Mr. le Carré (Mr. Cornwell) to me. As noted, it discusses his readings. No idea if anyone is interested, but here you go.

http://www.halobrien.com/2012/04/24/l...

Oh, and that picture of Ronnie Cornwell, the model for Rick in Perfect Spy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hal_seat...

One thing I always wonder about is whether with a book that is somewhat autobiographical it's better to know or not know the actual biographical details ahead of reading the novel.

That will maybe be a good thing to talk about when we get to our discussions.

For now I'm thinking I'll read (actually re-read) the book first, and then maybe look at how it compares to what we know of le Carre's life later. Though I do unavoidably know some things about his life already from previous reading, and that inevitably does affect how I read the book.

Wow, Hal. That's ... pretty much how I've pictured him in my head. Jaunty indeed.

LeCarre/Cornwell has an autobiographical preface to this book in my edition. It has actually made the book a more interesting read for me that it is factually based. I also understand a bit better the author's preoccupation with double agents, who are essentially sophisticated con artists. Love the picture, too.

We fly out to a Mexico vacation on Saturday so I may put our discussion thread up for discussion on Friday this week if that's OK with others. If not, can someone else post it on Monday?