Karla's Choice: A John le Carré Novel
Paperback Published on: 22/05/2025
Price: £9.99
Synopsis
A gripping new novel set in the universe of John le Carré's most iconic spy, George Smiley, written by acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway
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.
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…
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9781405969833
- Number of pages: 320
- Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 22 mm
- Weight: 224g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Great reading
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 Inte... READ MORE
A brilliant continuation of a story from the past
This book is homage to John le Carre, written in his style by his son, and featuringing characters from the George Smiley novels. The first of these, "The... READ MORE
A satisfying entry into the world of George Smiley's Cold War.
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 I... READ MORE
A satisfying entry into the world of George Smiley's Cold War.
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 I... READ MORE
Echoes of voice from the past
John le Carré died four years ago, leaving us bereft of one of our best contemporary thriller writers – the creator of George Smiley and the small army of ... READ MORE
Disappointing
As a long standing Le Carre admirer I was looking forward to this but found it very disappointing. The characters didn't seem to come off the page and the ... READ MORE
Smiley in safe hands. Good to have him back.
The novel is set towards the beginning of the ten-year gap between The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. I guess the relative... READ MORE
A happy captive of George Smiley
In the absence of a Mick Herron thriller this year, Karla's Choice is my absolute favourite (spy or fiction, in general) novel for 2024. It fills a hole in... READ MORE
Most enjoyable
I have always considered le Carré to be the greatest spy fiction writer and get irritated when I read other authors’ jackets claiming them to be “the new l... READ MORE
An exciting and worthy spy thriller in the vein of John Le Carre
Always difficult to follow in anyone’s footsteps especially when the comparisons is with family. True to the genre and back history of the circus with char... READ MORE
Following the tradition of Le Carre
3.5 stars
Overall a good novel in the tradition of John Le Carre. Covering the years between The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and Smiley’s people it show... READ MORE
Smiley walks again!
As an avid reader of all things Le Carre I didn't quite know how I would feel about this. But put simply it is a triumph. I'm sure Nick's father would be p... READ MORE
Smiley is in safe hands
As a lifelong reader and admirer of John Le Carré’s Smiley-based novels, I picked up this book with a little trepidation. I desperately didn’t want to be d... READ MORE
A welcome - and brilliant - return to the world of George Smiley and the Circus
If you have never read The Spy who Came in from the Cold, or have read it many years ago, I would strongly advise that you read/ re-read it immediately bef... READ MORE
A brilliant addition to the Smiley novels
(spoiler-free-review) This is a brilliant novel, an extraordinary continuation of the spy-thriller canon established by John le Carre. His son, Nick Harkaw... READ MORE
The legacy is there
Intriguing and gripping in the true Smiley tradition. Highly tecommended
A welcome addition to the Smiley canon
Nick Harkaway knows he’s treading on hallowed ground in continuing (or rather interpolating) the work of his father David Cornwell, better known as John Le... READ MORE
Smiley is back.
Eager to read this because I so enjoyed the Smiley novels written by Nick Harkaway’s father, John le Carré, I was bemused by a Smiley who indulged in a fri... READ MORE
Thrilling! Welcome back George Smiley
Written by the son of John Le Carre we have the return of George Smiley to the Circus in a tense and absorbing thriller. It is early 1963 and George is en... READ MORE
Just like le Carré
I am grateful to Netgalley and Viking for an early sight of this book.
Nick Harkaway takes on the mantle of his father, John le Carré in creating adventur... READ MORE
George Smiley Returns.
If you enjoyed Le Carre's work, esp. the Smiley novels then I think you'll enjoy this. It is written by his son, Nick Harkaway and having read his novel "T... READ MORE
A satisfying Smiley novel
If anyone is qualified to write an authentic yet “new” Smiley novel, it’s Nick Harkaway.
As a casual Smiley reader, I enjoyed this. Lots of familiar char... READ MORE
Smiley is back.
Eager to read this because I so enjoyed the Smiley novels written by Nick Harkaway’s father, John le Carré, I was bemused by a Smiley who indulged in a fri... READ MORE
Le Carre and Smiley live on!
Throughly enjoyed this book, the storytelling and characterisation were excellent, it was almost as if John le Carre had written it. Nick Harkaway has done... READ MORE
A worthy addition to the Smiley world
It’s possible to believe this was written by le Carre.
Confusing but satisfying
At first I found the name changes (specified for the security of the agents) confusing. However, gradually this "dual" naming made sense and the rhythm an... READ MORE
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