Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Smiley's People - John Le Carre

Smiley's PeopleSmiley's People by John le Carré
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful book from whom seems to be master of the Spy world in the Cold War era. Now that the cold war has ended one doubts if one will get newer authors who will be able to write such novels.
The books begins with the life of an ex Russian lady who was married to a Red Army defector. People ry to get in touch with her to tell her that her daughter will be coming to stay with her.
She wants to believe that she will be able to undo her sins by taking care of her daughter whom she had abandoned for freedom in the west, soon after she was born.
But something makes her get in touch with another defector, an old General from the Red Army. The general now living in London sends somebody to meet the lady and in trying to follow up the events gets murdered.
This brings Smiley back into the fore and he is asked to cover up the entire incident. But Smiley is not one to take things so easily.
The books goes on to reveal how Smiley traces out the turn of events from the first incident till he nets his nemesis Karla with the help of earlier mates.
The denouement is excellent and must be read to appreciate. The last 10 - 15 pages simply thrills one to the core.

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