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56 pages 1 hour read

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1974

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Book Brief

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John le Carré

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1974
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, England • 1970s

Publication Year

1974

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré, retired British intelligence officer George Smiley is tasked with uncovering a Soviet mole within the Circus, the British secret service. He reassembles clues from a failed mission and enlists the help of former colleagues. As Smiley navigates a web of deceit and betrayal, he identifies the mole and confronts the complexities of loyalty, espionage, and personal relationships​. The book includes themes of war, espionage, torture, and betrayal.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Dark

Melancholic

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.3

109,752 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

John le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is acclaimed for its intricate plot and deep character development, delivering a masterful espionage narrative. Reviewers praise its atmospheric tension and realistic depiction of the spy world. However, some find the complex storyline challenging to follow. This Cold War classic remains a must-read for its authenticity and suspense.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy?

Fans of intricate espionage narratives and Cold War intrigue will relish Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré. Readers who appreciate the tension and cerebral plots found in works like The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by le Carré himself, or The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, will find this novel compelling and intellectually stimulating.

4.3

109,752 ratings

77%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

George Smiley

A seemingly unassuming and retired intelligence officer whose sharp mind and attention to detail remain active, making him a key figure in uncovering hidden truths within the British secret service.

A charismatic and high-ranking member of the Circus, renowned for his cultural flair and artistic persona, and deeply entwined in a complex web of relationships.

An ambitious leader at the Circus after the failure of a key operation, skilled in political maneuvering but less adept at the practical aspects of intelligence.

A prominent operative responsible for overseeing surveillance operations, whose foreign origin and flamboyant demeanor set him apart in the mostly British establishment.

A key figure in the Circus with a history of strong political views, who has become disillusioned and disconnected from political ideals through his work.

The former head of the Circus, known for his secretive and autonomy-favoring style, whose health and career decline as he obsesses over the possibility of a mole.

A dedicated and loyal deputy to Smiley, running the more physical aspects of operations, whose trust in Smiley drives him to assist in crucial investigations.

A high-ranking civil servant acting as a liaison between the government and intelligence services, who facilitates Smiley’s investigation into internal corruption.

A brave and solitary former operative who suffered greatly due to an operation gone wrong, leading to a deep personal and professional reassessment.

A solitary schoolboy who befriends a new teacher, forging a connection that reflects his own loneliness and search for understanding.

The estranged wife of George Smiley, whose relationships often lead to complex personal and professional challenges for those around her.

A field agent known for his devotion to Smiley and his emotional nature, involving himself deeply in attempts to reveal internal espionage activities.

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, England • 1970s

Publication Year

1974

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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