Episode 447: Smiley's Person

In this novel, George Smiley is summoned from retirement to investigate a mole within the British intelligence service, known as the Circus. The story unfolds as a cat-and-mouse game, with Smiley delving into the pasts of his suspects, each codenamed from a children’s nursery rhyme: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, and Sailor. The investigation is complex, involving office politics, personal betrayals, and the moral ambiguities of the espionage world. Le Carré masterfully crafts a realistic and gripping narrative that critiques the espionage industry and its impact on individuals and society.

This book tells the story of Kim Philby, one of the most notorious spies in history, who rose to head Britain’s counterintelligence against the Soviet Union while secretly working for the enemy. The narrative focuses on Philby’s friendship with Nicholas Elliott, a fellow Cambridge-educated spy, and how Philby’s betrayal affected Elliott and the intelligence services. The book explores the complex world of espionage, the psychological and sociological aspects of friendship, and the devastating consequences of Philby’s actions on the intelligence community and the lives of countless operatives.