Karla's Choice

Reviews

A brilliant and almost uncanny incarnation of le Carré’s voice and world - and an exceptional espionage novel in its own right Karla’s Choice is a note-perfect tribute to le Carré that feels fresh and new, and yet fits seamlessly into the world of Smiley’s Circus in its heyday. Tense and atmospheric, meditative and moving. Fans of le Carré will have much to rejoice about Gripping, clever, and full of tension, Karla’s Choice bridges the gap in the Smiley saga perfectly. Fans of John le Carré will not be disappointed. It’s thrilling to be back with old friends and enemies. Smiley’s tested, essential goodness sings through the pages. I couldn’t put it down. Le Carre’s legacy is in good hands - Smiley is back with a vengeance! The legendary Smiley’s return is a classic thinking person’s espionage thriller packed with more secrets, tricks and deceptions than a roomful of triple agents. We have witnessed the rebirth of an icon Smiley and his people are back, and thank god for that. Karla's Choice is a beautifully rendered spy story full of familiar characters and authentic Cold War tradecraft. It's the missing chapter of Smiley's battle with Karla that we've always wanted, and Harkaway delivers. Every reader of John le Carré will love this brilliant book The legendary Smiley’s return is a classic thinking person’s espionage thriller packed with more secrets, tricks and deceptions than a roomful of triple agents. We have witnessed the rebirth of an icon, Karla’s Choice is a glorious conjuration of a lost era. It’s a book as rich and complex as its cast of characters. But it’s also a feat of extraordinary literary alchemy. Harkaway has summoned Smiley, his colleagues, antagonists, and the dark moral machinations of their secret Cold War institutions back into existence with all the deft emotional precision of the best of Le Carré, but in so doing he has given us something wondrously new: a giddying, compulsively fierce novel that is very much his own. I read it twice in as many days and am about to pick it up and read it again.’ Elegant as smoke, ruthless as steel, Karla’s Choice is a love letter to fans of Smiley, but it’s also got le Carre’s furious humanity and Harkaway’s playful intellect. A genuinely surprising treat. An accomplished and welcome addition to le Carré's oeuvre. Harkaway has drawn on his deep knowledge of his father's work to produce a tale faithful to the originals, while subtly adding a lighter, more modern touch. ‘Is this new ‘le Carré’ novel even better than the master himself? Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job with his father’s legacy. Karla’s Choice is note-perfect.’ A loving tribute as well as an excellent novel in its own right It is difficult to encapsulate what a remarkable achievement this novel is. Karla’s Choice is absolutely first rate, as both a homage to le Carré and as a work in its own right Karla’s Choice breathes new life into the murky world of the Circus. If you haven’t read any Smiley books, then this wouldn’t be a bad place to start Harkaway is a fine writer and he has resurrected his father’s books brilliantly Reads like a lost le Carrè. Smiley is back at the Circus in the safest of hands What a treat! Karla's Choice expertly evokes the atmosphere of the originals A satisfyingly intricate tale filled with intrigue and suspense. Karla's Choice is an accomplished homage and a captivating thriller. Expand reviews