Category: john le carre
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The Russia House by John le Carré Explored – Part 2
In this episode, writer and podcaster Keir Graff returns to continue discussing John le Carré’s novel The Russia House. We talk about Barley Blair, Katya and that ending. Plus differences between the movie and the book. Plus, some fun comments from le Carré himself about the book. All that and much more in this episode.…
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The Russia House by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
In this episode, writer and podcaster Keir Graff joins to discuss John le Carré’s novel The Russia House. We talk about whether book people would make good spies and le Carré’s eye for local details. We also discuss whether this book has more P.G. Wodehouse than other le Carré novels. Plus, would an editor nowadays…
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Helen Lewis – The Genius Myth
In this episode, we talk with Helen Lewis and her new book, The Genius Myth. We talk about how to think about artists with problematic pasts, the influence of wives on “geniuses” and how to create a legacy. Plus, what would a le Carré video game look like? All that and more in this episode.…
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Federico Varese on – Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré
In this episode, we welcome Federico Varese to the show. Federico 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. He also served as editor of Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré a new collection of…
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Dr. Jessica Douthwaite on the exhibition – John le Carré: Tradecraft
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…
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 11 to 20
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…
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Queer Betrayal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
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…
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Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 2
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…
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Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
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…
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The Constant Gardener by John le Carré Explored – Part 2
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…
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The Constant Gardener by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
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…
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High Church/Low Church – An explainer
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…
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A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre Explored – Part 2
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,…
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A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre Explored – Part 1
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…
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Interview – Nick Harkaway on Upcoming le Carre Projects
In part two of my discussion with Sleeper Beach novelist Nick Harkaway we discuss the latest in le Carré news. Nick talks about the upcoming adaptation of one of his novels into an Amason Prime show Kill Jackie, season 2 of The Night Manager and an update about the new comic series, The Circus: Losing…
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Interview – Nick Harkaway on Sleeper Beach
In this episode I am pleased to welcome back novelist Nick Harkaway. We discuss his latest work, Sleeper Beach, the second in his Titanium Noir series of futuristic mysteries. We talk about his earlier nonfiction book The Blind Giant, how we should be using technologies, and what does it mean when tech companies turn un-Evil.…
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Tod Hoffman on le Carré’s Landscape
In this episode I welcome Tod Hoffman, author of Le Carré Landscape, to the show. Tod is a former Canadian Intelligence Officer and used that knowledge to write his insightful book looking at le Carré’s work. We discuss le Carré’s use of interrogation in his novels, slow moving bureaucracy versus moving quickly and his decision…
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Legacy of Spies TV series – Emergency Podcast
In this episode we break down the news of a new George Smiley TV series – Legacy of Spies. I have TV and Film expert Matthew Bradford on to talk through what we know and might expect to come. We talk about the long gestating project, producers, and casting. All that and much more in…
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 1 to 10
In this episode we are celebrating 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book. For numbers one to ten I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that iconic cover, opening line and dig into the mystery of who the novel was dedicated to.…
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Ben H. Winters on reading John le Carre
In this episode I speak to author Ben H. Winters about his Crime Reads article “In Praise of Reading Le Carré’s Entire Oeuvre In Order”. We talk about the joys of reading an author’s work from start to finish, the connection between author and reader as well as The Looking Glass War as The Bad…
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Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part Two
In this episode we continue to look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice. You can find part one here. Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, returns to talk through what we thought about this new Smiley novel. Plus, an exclusive discussion with Nick Harkaway about Karla’s choice. All that and much…
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Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part One
In this episode we look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice. Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, joins me to talk through all of our thoughts on this Smiley continuation novel. We talk reference Jurassic Park’s famous quote “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if…
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The le Carre Cast 2024 recap
In this episode I’ve pulled some of my favorite clips from shows this past year. If you missed an episode or enjoyed the shows from this past year, I think you’ll enjoy it. Listen in for the cream of the crop! Dominic Sandbrook on le Carré Paul French on The Honourable Schoolboy Mac Rodgers on…
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The Great Blurb Scandal
This episode the le Carré Cast delves into the world of true crime with a look at one of the strangest moments in le Carré’s literary history. You won’t read about this one in Sisman’s biography! Settle in for the case of the fake blurbs. Further Reading Sources used to write this post are below.…
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Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 2
In this episode we continue to look at John le Carré’s 2003 novel, Absolute Friends. Shane Whaley, host of the Spybrary podcast, is back to break down all of the action in this novel. We talk about the dramatic end of the novel, Mundy and Sasha’s motives and talk about the dangers of entrapment. Plus,…
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Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 1
In this episode we look at John le Carré’s 2003 novel, Absolute Friends. Shane Whaley, host of the Spybrary podcast joins the show to look at one of his favorite le Carré novels. We talk about the enigma that is Absolute Friends lead character Ted Mundy. How many trips over the wall does it take…
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Interview – David Eldridge on The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Stage Play
Donate to #TeamEvie and the Literally Healing program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24, pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. In this episode…
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Interview – Duane & Meredith Swierczynski on #TeamEvie
Donate to #TeamEvie and the Literally Healing program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24, pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. In this episode…
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Interview – Nick Harkaway on Karla’s Choice
Donate to #TeamEvie and the Literally Healing program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24, pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. In this episode…
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The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 3
In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy. Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. Writer Paul French returns to the show for our epic finale looking at The Honourable Schoolboy. We talk more about the politics of Southeast Asia in the 1970’s, Jeff throws out…
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The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 2
In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy. Find Part 1 here. Writer Paul French returns to the show to share his extensive knowledge of China and Hong Kong. We talk about the political background surrounding China and the UK when THS was written, the Ko brothers,…
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The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 1
In this episode we begin our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy. I’m pleased to welcome writer Paul French to the show. Paul has extensive knowledge of China and Hong Kong and is the perfect person to discuss this particular novel. We talk about where le Carré got his ideas for…
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After le Carré: Jonathan Ray on Sarah Gainham
Part 1 can be found here. Part 2 can be found here. We delve into the fascinating life of the enigmatic author Sarah Gainham, also known as Rachel Ames, with her godson Jonathan Ray, a drinks editor for The Spectator. We explore Rachel’s mysterious persona, her connections with spies and diplomats, and her life as…
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After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 2
Part 1 can be found here. We are back with part 2 of this look at the novelist Sarah Gainham. I continue to be joined in the discussion with writer Jeremy Duns. The episode begins with a recounting of a passage from ‘The Stone Roses,’ one of Gainham’s novels. We then discuss several of Gainham’s…
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After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 1
Discovering Sarah Gainham: Unveiling the Overlooked Cold War Novelist In this episode of the le Carré Cast, we introduce a new feature – ‘After le Carré,’ spotlighting authors beyond John le Carré. Jeff welcomes back Jeremy Duns, writer and spy fiction enthusiast, to discuss Sarah Gainham, a lesser-known but richly talented spy novelist. They delve…
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In Depth with Shaun McKenna: Adapting John le Carré for Radio
In this episode of The le Carré Cast, I interview acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Shaun McKenna. Sean discusses his journey into writing, his collaboration process for bringing le Carré’s complex characters to life on BBC Radio 4, and the challenges of adapting intricate novels for audio. about his adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and…
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A Most Wanted Man by John le Carré Explored Part 2
In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 2008 novel, A Most Wanted Man. I’m pleased to welcome back poet Clarissa Aykroyd to the show. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here. We talk about parallels between the novel’s characters and another famous spy duo, Jackson Lamb and Catherine…
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A Most Wanted Man by John le Carré Explored Part 1
In this episode we look at John le Carré’s 2008 novel, A Most Wanted Man. I’m pleased to welcome poet Clarissa Aykroyd to the show. We talk through the motivations of the various players, whether le Carré succeeded at creating fully realized characters and le Carré’s difficult writing women. All that and more in this…
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Tinker at 50 w/ Dominic Sandbrook
In this episode of the Le Carré Cast, Jeff interviews British historian Dominic Sandbrook. They delve into Sandbrook’s introduction to John le Carré’s works, particularly Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and discuss the author’s literary impact and historical context. The conversation covers le Carré’s influence during Britain’s 1970s cultural and political landscape, along with Sandbrook’s personal…
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The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers – Part 3
I’m excited to welcome back Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist for the epic conclusion of our look at the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this third and final part we dig into The Honourable Schoolboy, Smiley’s People and The Secret Pilgrim. The best way to find a corpse, how stories differ when told…
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The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers – Part 2
I’m excited to welcome back Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist to continue to discuss the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this second of three parts we dig into some of the biggest of le Carré’s novels – The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Plus we discuss…
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The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers
This episode I am pleased to welcome Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist to discuss the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this first part we talk about Mac’s journey to writing for audio, reading le Carré and listening to the audio drams. Plus we dive into aspects of the audio format and the first…
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Shabby 70’s London Part 2
This episode I return with Phil Tinline and Bernard Hughes. We continue discussing Phil’s article in the New Statesman on the London of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré and how it’s different from the London of today. Topics include the le Carré and conspiracies, a discussion of Adam Sisman’s latest book, and…
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Shabby 70’s London Part 1
This episode I’m excited to welcome Phil Tinline and Bernard Hughes to the show. We discuss Phil’s article in the New Statesman on the London of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré and how it’s different from the London of today. Topics include the political background of Tinker, whether Tinker was a case…
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Adam Sisman on The Secret Life of John le Carré – Interview
This episode I’m excited to welcome John le Carré’s biographer Adam Sisman to the show. We discuss his latest book The Secret Life of John le Carré which looks at le Carré affairs which Sisman left out of his previous biography. Topics include why Sisman felt he needed to write this new book, the push…
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A Private Spy: The letters of John le Carré Explored Part 3
We continue our three part look at A Private Spy: The letters of John le Carré edited by Tim Cornwell. In part 3 we’ll be talking about what we learned about le Carré’s novels. Returning to discuss the book is Guillam groupie, Matthew Bradford., we discuss le Carrê on James Bond, The Night Manager adapations,…
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A Private Spy: The letters of John le Carré Explored Part 2
We continue our three part look at A Private Spy: The letters of John le Carré edited by Tim Cornwell. In part 2 we’ll be talking about what we learned about le Carré’s professional life. Returning to discuss the book is Circus cognoscente, Matthew Bradford. We discuss le Carré’s feudin’ and fightin’ with critics and…
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A Private Spy: The letters of John Carré Explored Part 1
We’ll be taking a three part look at A Private Spy: The letters of John le Carré edited by Tim Cornwell. In this episode we’ll be talking about what we learned about le Carré’s personal life. Returning to the podcast to discuss the book is living le Carré encyclopedia Matthew Bradford. We discuss whether the…
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Single and Single by John Carré Explored Part 2
In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 1999 novel, Single and Single. Returning to discuss the book is espionage and nonfiction author Adam Brookes. We discuss Adam’s interactions with shady Russians in the 90’s, why le Carré just can’t quit Russia, and that wild ending. Plus, is there such a thing…
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Single and Single by John Carré Explored Part 1
In this episode we look at John le Carré’s 1999 novel, SIngle and Single. Joining me to discuss the book is espionage and nonfiction author Adam Brookes. We discuss Adam’s first encounters with le Carré, the British boarding school system and tropes seen in le Carré’s female characters? Plus, whether the first chapter of the…
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Secret And Beyond – Political Thrillers with Frank Sennett
Frank Sennett joins the show to talk about political thrillers and Mick Herron and John le Carré. We talk about US versus UK spy novels, Matt Helm, and favorite Herron and le Carré novels. Plus we talk about how to write politics in fiction without alienating readers and how one author used the nuclear option…
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Guillam Coffee and Abdelraham Fathalla – Interview
We raised $1300 for Room to Read this holiday season. Thanks to everyone who donated. If you still wanted to donate, go here or share the link – http://tinyurl.com/spiesread We are back with a interview with founder of Guillam Coffee and le Carré superfan Abdelrahman Fathalla. We talk about why he named his business after…
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Secret and Beyond – John le Carré’s battle with book titles
Donate to Room to Read here or share the link – http://tinyurl.com/spiesread We are back with a look at some of John le Carré’s unused book titles. These have been gathered from Adam Sisman’s biography, John le Carré: A Life, as well as a few from A Private Spy: The letters of John le Carré.…
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Top 5 letters in A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carré
Donate to Room to Read here or share the link – http://tinyurl.com/spiesread We are back with a look at the new release A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carré. I’m pleased to welcome Steven Ritterman, one of the foremost collectors of le Carré in the world, to the show. Steven reveals his top…
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Dead Drop – Letters in Spy Fiction and Reality Part 2
We are back with part 2 of our look at the letter in spy fiction and reality. Listen to part 1 here. We talk about the novel to read if you want to imagine you’re a CIA analyst, the first techno-thriller and learn about how real spies are communicating right now! All that and much…
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John le Carré’s London
We talk with Richard Hutt the writer of the new map titled John le Carré’s London from Herb Lester Associates. We talk about his previous map, The Secret City, reading le Carré in lockdown, the difficulties and joys in finding locations le Carré used in his novels and challenge the listener to find le Carré’s…
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The Secret History of Spy Letters
The book A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carré has just been released in the UK. We’ll be taking a look at that book once it’s released in the US in December, but this is a perfect time to take a look at the usage of the humble letter in espionage. We talk…
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A Small Town in Germany by John le Carré Explored Part 2
In this episode we finish our look at A Small Town in Germany, John le Carré’s fifth novel. Returning to discuss the book is espionage author James Wolff. We discuss how his treatment of female characters, whether this is a Agatha Christie novel in disguise and whether this could ever be adapted for television? Plus,…
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A Small Town in Germany by John le Carré Explored Part 1
In this episode we look at A Small Town in Germany, the novel that comes midway between John le Carré’s breakout success – The Spy Who Came in from the Cold – and the novel that solidified his place as one of the world’s best spy novelists – Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I’m joined to…
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Collecting John le Carré
We talk with one of the foremost collectors of John le Carré novels, Steven Ritterman, whose collection of pristine le Carré editions numbers over 300 items. We learn about the Haycroft-Queen list, rare signed editions, and Steve’s undercover mission to meet le Carré himself. All that plus talk on champagne toasts with Otto Penzler, meeting Eric Ambler,…
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The Looking-Glass War by John le Carré Explored Part 2
Find Part One Here. In this episode we continue to take a deep dive into the intricacies of one of John le Carré’s most unjustly overlooked novels – The Looking-Glass War. I’m again joined by critic and author Jeremy Duns. We talk class and Britain’s role in the world, how the book could be adapted…
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The Looking-Glass War by John le Carré Explored Part 1
In this episode we take a deep dive into the intricacies of one of John le Carré’s most unjustly overlooked novels – The Looking-Glass War. I’m joined by critic and author Jeremy Duns. We talk about weird relationships, how the book is a proto-Slow Horses, and get the first ever comparison of le Carré and…
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Laura Marsh on John le Carré – Episode 13
In this episode I speak to Laura Marsh about her essay on le Carré and Silverview in the February 10th edition of The New York Review of Books. Laura is currently the literary editor at the The New Republic and previously wrote for and was an editor at The New York Review of Books. Her…
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John le Carré in The Spy Writers Club – Episode 12
In this episode we explore what happens when you get a whole gaggle of Cold War spy novelists together in one room. This is an adaption of an earlier piece that can be found here with links to various sources. Also there is a photo of the attendees. Find more podcasts like this in the…
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Silverview by John le Carré Explored Part 4 – Episode 11
In the final episode of this four part look at Silverview Matthew Bradford and I continue to discuss John le Carré’s final complete novel. We discuss the climatic conclusion of Silverview! We also talk about where Silverview fits among le Carré’s work and some talk on collecting the book. All that and much more in…
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Silverview by John le Carré Explored Part 3 – Episode 10
In Part three of this four part look at Silverview Matthew Bradford and I continue to discuss John le Carré’s final complete novel. In this third part we explore the plot and espionage in the novel. We discuss the way betrayal is different in this novel, what’s up with Edward’s creepy obsession with basements, and…
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Silverview by John le Carré Explored Part 2 – Episode 9
In Part two of this four part look at Silverview Matthew Bradford and I continue to discuss John le Carré’s final complete novel. In our second part we talk about the settings of the novel. We discuss le Carré success in capturing life in a coastal town, the connection between W.G. Sebald’s The Rings of…
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Silverview by John le Carré Explored Part 1 – Episode 8
In Part one of this four part look at Silverview I welcome back Matthew Bradford to discuss John le Carré’s final complete novel. In our first part we talk about the main characters in this novel. We discuss surprise over the speedy release of the novel, how this novel revisits many of le Carré’s favorite…
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Call for the Dead by John le Carré Explored Part 2 – Episode 7
In Part Two of this deep dive into Call for the Dead I welcome back guest Bee to discuss John le Carré’s first novel. We continue to get lots of hot takes on the novel from someone who has done a very close reading of le Carré’s work, but especially Call for the Dead. We…
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John le Carré – His Lips are Sealed – Episode 6
In this episode we explore a previously hidden chapter of le Carré’s life. Was this the moment everything changed for him? Listen for answers to that and much, much more. Previous discussion of this topic is here. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed
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Call for the Dead by John le Carré Explored Part 1 – Episode 5
In Part One of this deep dive into Call for the Dead I welcome guest Bee to discuss John le Carré’s first novel. In this provocative conversation we get plenty of hot takes on the novel from someone who has done a very close reading of all of le Carré’s work, but especially Call for…
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A Murder of Quality by John le Carré – Explored – Episode 4
In this episode I am joined by Matthew Bradford of doubleOsection.blogspot.com to do a deep exploration of the sometimes overlooked John le Carré novel A Murder of Quality. We discuss private schools, religion in the UK and just how deep George Smiley’s cruel streak runs. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on…
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John le Carré – A rememberance – Episode 3
Just after the passing away of John le Carré in December 2020, I spoke with Matthew Bradford of double0section.blogspot.com about le Carrê’s impact on espionage fiction. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed
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His Secret Sharer – The hidden truths of John le Carré – Episode 2
In this episode I provide an introduction to the world’s most famous spy writer. John le Carré began writing novels as a way to relieve the boredom of his duties as an upper-class raised British diplomat. That was what the world was told. The reality was that he wrote under a pseudonym; in truth he…
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An introduction – Episode 1
I’m quite excited to launch something that has been in the process for awhile, a podcast dedicated to the works of John le Carré. The goal of this podcast is to do deep dives on each of his works, round table discussions on various topics related to the novels. films and TV programs. I hope…
The le Carré Cast 