Nick Harkaway - John le Carré's son - returns readers to the shadowy world of George Smiley in this enthralling slice of espionage fiction, which introduces the redoubtable agent's steely nemesis in a page-turning plot of deceit and danger.
A gripping new novel set in the universe of John le Carré's most iconic spy, George Smiley, written by acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway
It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – that George Smiley might almost be happy.
But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy…
Set in the missing decade between two iconic instalments in the George Smiley saga, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Nick Harkaway's Karla's Choice is an extraordinary, thrilling return to the world of spy fiction's greatest writer, John le Carré.
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN: 9780241714904
Number of pages: 320
Weight: 525 g
Dimensions: 242 x 163 x 28 mm
‘Is this new ‘le Carré’ novel even better than the master himself? Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job with his father’s legacy. Karla’s Choice is note-perfect.’ - Jake Kerridge, The Telegraph
What a treat! Karla's Choice expertly evokes the atmosphere of the originals - Guardian
A loving tribute as well as an excellent novel in its own right - Anthony Cummins, The Observer
It is difficult to encapsulate what a remarkable achievement this novel is. Karla’s Choice is absolutely first rate, as both a homage to le Carré and as a work in its own right - Stuart Kelly, The Scotsman
Karla’s Choice breathes new life into the murky world of the Circus. If you haven’t read any Smiley books, then this wouldn’t be a bad place to start - David Mills, Sunday Times
An accomplished and welcome addition to le Carré's oeuvre. Harkaway has drawn on his deep knowledge of his father's work to produce a tale faithful to the originals, while subtly adding a lighter, more modern touch. - The Financial Times
Harkaway is a fine writer and he has resurrected his father’s books brilliantly - The I
A satisfyingly intricate tale filled with intrigue and suspense. Karla's Choice is an accomplished homage and a captivating thriller. - The Economist
Reads like a lost le Carrè. Smiley is back at the Circus in the safest of hands - Richard Osman
A brilliant and almost uncanny incarnation of le Carré’s voice and world - and an exceptional espionage novel in its own right - William Boyd
Karla’s Choice is a note-perfect tribute to le Carré that feels fresh and new, and yet fits seamlessly into the world of Smiley’s Circus in its heyday. - Mick Herron
Le Carre’s legacy is in good hands - Smiley is back with a vengeance! - Ian Rankin
Karla’s Choice is a glorious conjuration of a lost era. It’s a book as rich and complex as its cast of characters. But it’s also a feat of extraordinary literary alchemy. Harkaway has summoned Smiley, his colleagues, antagonists, and the dark moral machinations of their secret Cold War institutions back into existence with all the deft emotional precision of the best of Le Carré, but in so doing he has given us something wondrously new: a giddying, compulsively fierce novel that is very much his own. I read it twice in as many days and am about to pick it up and read it again.’ - Helen MacDonald, author of H is for Hawk
Tense and atmospheric, meditative and moving. Fans of le Carré will have much to rejoice about - Tan Twan Eng
The legendary Smiley’s return is a classic thinking person’s espionage thriller packed with more secrets, tricks and deceptions than a roomful of triple agents. We have witnessed the rebirth of an icon - Scott Mariani
Smiley and his people are back, and thank god for that. Karla's Choice is a beautifully rendered spy story full of familiar characters and authentic Cold War tradecraft. It's the missing chapter of Smiley's battle with Karla that we've always wanted, and Harkaway delivers. - David McCloskey, author of The Damascus Station
Gripping, clever, and full of tension, Karla’s Choice bridges the gap in the Smiley saga perfectly. Fans of John le Carré will not be disappointed. - Lisa Hall
Every reader of John le Carré will love this brilliant book - Tony Parsons
It’s thrilling to be back with old friends and enemies. Smiley’s tested, essential goodness sings through the pages. I couldn’t put it down. - S J Bennett
The legendary Smiley’s return is a classic thinking person’s espionage thriller packed with more secrets, tricks and deceptions than a roomful of triple agents. We have witnessed the rebirth of an icon, - Scott Mariani, Number One Sunday Times Bestselling author of the Ben Hope series
Elegant as smoke, ruthless as steel, Karla’s Choice is a love letter to fans of Smiley, but it’s also got le Carre’s furious humanity and Harkaway’s playful intellect. A genuinely surprising treat. - Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls
How you feel about continuation novels after the author has passed will possibly influence your reading of Karla's Choice. For example, better authors than Fleming have written James Bond, but nobody except... More
This is the first of I hope of many continuations by Harkaway of his father, David Cornwall (John le Carré)'s series of books about the British Secret Intelligence Service (the 'Circus') in the mid-20th... More
A satisfying entry into the world of George Smiley's Cold War.
"Karla's Choice" opens in 1963, around six months after the events of "The Spy Who Came In from The Cold", and the...
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