Questions tagged [john-le-carre]

Questions about the works of John Le Carre (1931-2020), the British author best known for his George Smiley espionage novels, or his life as a writer.

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What do these espionage tradecraft phrases from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy mean?

When Ricky Tarr is recounting his story to George Smiley, he speculates that Boris -- a Russian spy working undercover as a trade delegate -- was "waiting for a connect, working a letterbox, maybe, or ...
Tom's user avatar
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15 votes
4 answers
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Why did John le Carré choose that particular (French) pseudonym?

The former MI5 and MI6 agent David John Moore Cornwell used the name John le Carré on his numerous spy novels. Wikipedia explains why he had to write under a pseudonym: he wrote the detective story ...
Rand al'Thor's user avatar
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4 votes
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What is the supposed cover story in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"?

Spoilers for John Le Carré’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. In this novel, Percy Alleline has become the director of “the Circus”, a fictional British intelligence service. Alleline and the department ...
Gareth Rees's user avatar
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