The Secret Pilgrim Luisterboek Tooltip Luisterboeken beluister je met de bol.com Kobo app.

Geschreven bij Secret Pilgrim

This wonderful book marks the end of George Smiley as a book character. John Le Carre (JLC) uses him cleverly as a prop to allow another lifelong spy called Ned to muse about his own lengthy spying career. Sarratt or the Nursery, where Service recruits are trained, is where GS has been invited to speak to the latest crop of graduates about e.g. being a spy, how it affects one’s personality and how the collapse of the Wall may change their ancient profession. Ned’s 13 case studies pass by chronologically, always preceded by a wise thought or stirring viewpoint by George Smiley made during his final appearance and public performance. The cases are exceptionally well written with JLC reaffirming his width of knowledge and depth of reading and psychological insight, and powers of empathy. Each lovely description is a gem, but two cases are especially searing, the Hansen case situated during the Vietnam War and the dramatic exposure of cipher clerk Cyril.
This grand book’s brief final chapter contains the seeds of what has inspired John Le Carre since. It also deals with Ned’s final days in the Service when he is asked to put pressure on an arms dealer to stop dealing with shady clients in the Balkan, notably Serbia, and Central Africa. Prophetic in spy novel published in 1990, because the Balkans exploded in 1991 and Rwanda and Congo some years later… This book is elegantly composed, beautifully written, full of atmosphere and perfect characterizations, and stunning dialogues, interrogations and tradecraft. Great send off. Stunningly good read.

Geschreven bij Secret Pilgrim

goed boek