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Karla's Choice

'Reads like a lost le Carré' Richard Osman

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Karla's Choice

By: Nick Harkaway, John le Carré
Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale
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Brought to you by Penguin.

A gripping new novel set in the universe of John le Carré's most iconic spy, George Smiley, written by acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway

Set in the missing decade between two iconic instalments in the George Smiley saga, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Nick Harkaway's Karla's Choice is an extraordinary, thrilling return to the world of spy fiction's greatest writer, John le Carré.

It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – that George Smiley might almost be happy.

But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead. But in his absence the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy…

© Nick Harkaway 2024 (P)Penguin Audio 2024

 Espionage Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War & Military Exciting Russia Fiction War
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Critic reviews

‘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.’ (Jake Kerridge)
What a treat! Karla's Choice expertly evokes the atmosphere of the originals
A loving tribute as well as an excellent novel in its own right (Anthony Cummins)
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 (Stuart Kelly)
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 (David Mills)
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.
Harkaway is a fine writer and he has resurrected his father’s books brilliantly
Brilliant – every bit as suspenseful and knowing as the original, and often more humorous
A satisfyingly intricate tale filled with intrigue and suspense. Karla's Choice is an accomplished homage and a captivating thriller.
Tense and atmospheric, meditative and moving. Fans of le Carré will have much to rejoice about (Tan Twan Eng)
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It's hard in some ways to put into words what I feel about this book. It's a bit like déjà vu on the one hand as the writing is so very close to that of the original author but with a really distinctive freshness. Freshness not just in tone, but also the very welcome additional information to the background and thinking of George Smiley and other familiar characters that appear in the novels. I have genuinely really enjoyed it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it not just to those like me who have always loved the novels, but perhaps to those who don't know Smiley. They should be careful though, because once you read this novel you will need to read them all.

I sincerely hope that Nick Harkaway will write more and more about George and his fascinating world. I, for one, will always be looking forward to them.

Very welcome partial unwrapping of the character of George Smiley.

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Having come to the Smiley books rather late, I was worried that this might be an homage or a clumsy ‘son of Herbert’ style mess. It wasn’t, all of the recurring characters were as I wanted them to be, and the slow burn plot rang true. Appropriately given that the originals were written under a pen name if I’d bought this as a Le Carre I’d have been none the wiser. Russell-Beale’s narration was top notch as expected.

It seemed like it had been written by le care

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Having grown unfortunately very disappointed with John Le Carre’s last series of books which had became increasingly wearisome as he allowed his own politics and leanings to distort the narrative, (Graham Greene was guilty of the same trait at the end) I was not sure what to expect with this book. I needn’t have worried, Nick Harkaway has picked up from where early Le Carre left off. The prose was a rich feast equally as good if not better than his father, The plot is typically Le Carre requiring us to part the mists of obscurity that is omnipresent in an early Le Carre and the result was sublime.. for anyone hankering after a traditional Le Carre this is a superb book.

A rich feast

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Liked it all. I couldn't put it down(turn it off). Fascinating. The reading was excellent and, looking back on the era now, it was savage at that level.

Style was Le Carre

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Not quite the master but a good substitute. Worth a try again certainly. Thank you

Very good

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