From Amazon.com Mr George Smiley is small, podgy, middle-aged and disillusioned. He is also compassionate, ruthless, and a senior British intelligence officer. Smiley comes up against Karla, his old Moscow adversary, and so begins a long battle of wits.

Comment This is a 1001 book!

This was a really difficult novel to read. I had to struggle to finish it. I found it extremely confusing, heavy reading and difficult to follow. John Le Carre fans may enjoy it, but I didn't.

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Sent to KLL, who claimed it from the OzVBB.
Ultimate Challenge 2008 - No Theme

Received in the post yesterday - thanks very mcuh! I'm sure I've read *some* Le Carre, but I have no idea which ones. I picked this off the VBBOz because it's on the 1001 books to read before you die list.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this. I recently read 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold', one of Le Carre's earlier books (whihc I also enjoyed) and it was really interesting to see the increased level of 'intrigue' - or complication - in this volume. I definitely agree with fairy-whispers that it was quite a confusing book to read - lots of people to remember for a start. However, I guess found the story intriguing enough to persevere.

I'm actually in the final week a 4-week round the world trip, and have been reading and releasing BC books while I'm away. I should be releasing this one later this afternoon at a BC Zone frequented by members of the London BC Meetups.

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I left 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' at the current home of the London BC Meetup this afternoon. The Camel and Artichoke has a lovely full shelf of books to choose from (and I did indeed choose a couple to take away with me!). I hope that it finds a comfortable home with someone in the UK (or elsewhere! :-).