The Honourable Schoolboy

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After the disastrous outcome described in “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”, Part 1 of the “Karla Trilogy”, the Circus lies in tatters. It is a leper among fellow services, understaffed and physically gutted. From its ruined premises and compromised archives, George Smiley (GS), caretaker chief of the Circus, leads his skeleton staff to study and evaluate the nature of things missing in the archives. It could provide leads to Karla’s intentions and interests, and through studying what has been destroyed, learn perhaps why it was. The best leads of the search point to the Far East, where Moscow might be planning something devious.
In comes the honourable schoolboy Jerry Westerby (JW), aristocratic newshound and Occasional in the Circus jargon. He has plenty of experience and credibility in the region and is also motivated, at this stage of his life, to test his skills again, having burnt plenty of ships behind him, and in need of a challenge that would make his daughter proud, posthumously or not.
What follows is a superior account of intelligence gathering, committee meetings, dealing with the Cousins (CIA in London), along with a formidable description of what happens in the Far East.
John Le Carré can characterise a person by letting him say something. His cast of characters is totally convincing, each has his own song and register. The plot and the description of different local setting is unsurpassed. While GS does his bureaucratic battles and coordinates his motivated staff, JW romps through Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, Saigon and other places in order to provoke a reaction from Karla.
Not that he knows himself, but such is the nature of top level espionage. Incredibly well plotted and written. Chapeau.

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Als John Le Carré in één ding slaagt is het aantonen dat de spionnenwereld weinig of niks te maken heeft met de glitter en glamour van James Bond.

De Engelse geheime stuurt aan om bloedeloos ten onder te gaan door een Russische dubbelagent. Maar George Smiley, de teruggeroepen oude meester van de Britse spionage, ruikt leven.

Geduldig wroetend werkt hij aan de coup die de patiënt moet redden en die tevens zoete wraak op zijn Russische tegenspelers betekent: de ontmaskering van een Sovjet-agent in China.

Het Verre Oosten is zijn slagveld en als wapen kiest onze "James Bond" Smiley een merkwaardige jongeman: Jerry Westerby, an honourable schoolboy!

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Na het eerste deel te hebben gelezen heb ik meteen dit boek besteld en het is een waardige opvolger. Even spannend en boeiend. Mooi is ook hoe het leven in Hong Kong wordt beschreven, heel levendig.