Ilse’s Reviews > Honourable Schoolboy > Status Update
Ilse
is on page 56 of 664
The day was uncommonly hot for autumn. Rich shafts of sunlight poured on to the representational carpet, and the dust-specks played in them like tiny tropical fish.
Le Carré's poetics of the workspace
— Jul 29, 2026 04:00AM
Le Carré's poetics of the workspace
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Ilse’s Previous Updates
Ilse
is on page 451 of 664
The general's son spoke slow and beautiful French and it clearly gave him great pleasure to hear himself, for he kept his eyes half closed and smiled as he spoke, as if listening to beloved music.
— Aug 26, 2026 05:04AM
Ilse
is on page 296 of 664
Talking of others, old men talk about themselves, studying their image in vanished mirrors.
— Aug 21, 2026 12:14PM
Ilse
is on page 80 of 664
A desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world.
— Aug 17, 2026 01:40AM
Ilse
is on page 52 of 664
Soon the gloom of the place seemed to work itself into the fabric of his face, like dust into the complexion of a prisoner.
(Strikes me as a fitting observation on the eve of returning to the workplace ;)
— Jul 26, 2026 01:09PM
(Strikes me as a fitting observation on the eve of returning to the workplace ;)
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An almost bureaucratic observation turning into something magical? I also like that he says “representational carpet”, are we in the world of espionage again? 👀
Hope you enjoy this. le Carre' was a great author.
In this volume, the author lets us see more facets of the enigmatic George Smiley. The trilogy is a masterful construct. Looking forward to your review.
Ooh, this reminds me of a passage from To the Lighthouse: “…while the sun so striped and barred the rooms and filled them with yellow haze that Mrs. McNab, when she broke in and lurched about, dusting, sweeping, looked like a tropical fish oaring its way through sun-lanced waters.”
Maria wrote: "Wow! Dust-specks playing in a carpet like tiny tropical fish. What a colorful imagination ❤️Thanks for sharing this beautiful quote, Ilse 🐠"
You are very welcome, Maria, so happy Le Carré's unexpectedly playful evocation of what I first imagined a mostly dark, dull and grey workplace spoke to you as well!
Maryana wrote: "An almost bureaucratic observation turning into something magical? I also like that he says “representational carpet”, are we in the world of espionage again? 👀"You couldn't be more right, Maryana - here we are again, in the world of George Smiley, spies spying on spies. It is great fun to meet some of the characters from the first part of the trilogy again, especially the brilliant Connie Sachs. I laughed at that 'representational carpet' - doesn't that make a nice contrast of earnestness and sobriety with those playful fish :)?
Stacey B wrote: "Hope you enjoy this. le Carre' was a great author."Stacey, thank you! It's only my second Le Carré, but again I am impressed by his writing - so good!
H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov wrote: "In this volume, the author lets us see more facets of the enigmatic George Smiley. The trilogy is a masterful construct. Looking forward to your review."H, after reading 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' and watching the film and the series (also Smiley's people), I was burning with curiosity to read the episode that wasn't made into a film or tv adaptation (apparently the exotic locations beyond the budget) - I am glad it such a long novel (to my standards), making sure I will enjoy many hours with it. Smiley is very intriguing, the way Le Carré lets him oscillate between patience and impatience in the fourth chapter is already promising...
Oh I liked this one Ilse. Good luck with it. Dirty real creepy unsexy espionage 🔥
Noel wrote: "Ooh, this reminds me of a passage from To the Lighthouse: “…while the sun so striped and barred the rooms and filled them with yellow haze that Mrs. McNab, when she broke in and lurched about, dusting, sweeping, looked like a tropical fish oaring its way through sun-lanced waters.."O wow, what a fascinating find and connection, well-spotted, Noel - perhaps Le Carré read his Woolf well, her imagery at least unconsciously staying with him ;)? I love how Woolf turns a chore into a colourful dance here. Your review and now this quote makes me long to revisit 'To the lighthouse' - if only there was more time to read in a day!
Moché wrote: "Oh I liked this one Ilse. Good luck with it. Dirty real creepy unsexy espionage 🔥"Thank you very much, Moché :-)) - it seems having spies for summer was the right choice ;).
Ilse wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Hope you enjoy this. le Carre' was a great author."Stacey, thank you! It's only my second Le Carré, but again I am impressed by his writing - so good!"
Totally agree.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful quote, Ilse 🐠