[The Karla Trilogy]: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy; The Honourable Schoolboy; Smiley’s People

LE CARRE, John.

$1,500.00

Item Number: 146972

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1974-1979.

First editions of each title in the author’s acclaimed Karla Trilogy. Octavo, three volumes, original cloth. From the library of English writer, editor, and broadcaster Edward Anthony Thompson, also known as Anthony Lejeune. Anthony Lejeune was known for his weekly radio talk London Letter that was broadcast in South Africa for nearly 30 years and for his crime novels and writing about the history of London’s gentleman’s clubs. He also produced a number of political books written from a conservative point of view. Each volume is near fine in a very good dust jacket.

John le Carré's Karla Trilogy, consisting of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, and Smiley's People, represents a seminal contribution to the genre of espionage literature. The trilogy is lauded for its complex narrative structure and its deep psychological insight into both its characters and the geopolitical context of the Cold War. Le Carré's portrayal of the Soviet intelligence operative Karla and his British counterpart George Smiley is notable for its nuanced exploration of themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the ethical ambiguities inherent in espionage. The series is acclaimed not only for its intricate plotting and character development but also for its sophisticated critique of the moral and political dimensions of intelligence work, solidifying le Carré's reputation as a leading figure in modern literary fiction.