Suzie Eisfelder
April 2, 2012

I’ve known this version of the rhyme for far too long:

Tinker, tailor,
Soldier, sailor,
Rich man, poor man,
Beggar-man, thief.

It has countless variations and has been in use since about 1695, John le Carré used it for his book Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy published in 1974, he uses it extensively throughout to illustrate and code name the people he was writing about. It’s apparently quite common in spy circles to give people code names, at least that’s what I’ve noticed with all the spy novels I’ve read.

Le Carré is considered one of the top spy novelists of all time. I first read this book far too many years ago and had to read it again after seeing the current film. It was a great movie and fairly true to the book, yes, there were lots of omissions and some changes but I feel they did a good job.

I was asked the other day if Le Carré was like Robert Ludlum and my instant response was ‘Better’! Le Carré builds the tension gradually and it was quite a shock to find my heart beating faster. Ludlum puts in much more action and builds the tension a lot faster. I like Ludlum as well but I feel Le Carré is a better writer.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre

The story is set in a spy agency in England, there’s been a bit of turmoil with the top person dying and some people being retired from service. Suddenly the Minister approaches George Smiley with a view to coming back and finding the mole who’s been reporting to Moscow for some years. He’s only got a few days to trawl back through the records, find and interview various people before putting in motion the uncovering of the mole.

It is beautifully executed. Le Carré puts in a lot of spy craft and includes many details on eluding followers and dropping off and picking up mail from safe places. I loved it and recommend it, as I also recommend anything else by Le Carré. If it weren’t for my massive To Be Read pile I’d go back to my shelves and reread some more of his books. It was interesting how I let my Ludlum books go but couldn’t let Le Carré off my shelves.

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