Smiley’s People Signed And Inscribed By John Le Carré

Author: John Le Carré
Price: £1450
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, London, UK
Edition: First edition
Publication Date: 1980
Format: Original cloth gilt. Dustwrapper
Condition: Very good in very good dustwrapper
Pages: 327

Description:
Binding nice and tight with slight rubbing to the edges. Light spotting to the page fore-edges throughout. A very good copy overall in very good, slightly nicked and rubbed, price-clipped dustwrapper which is slightly faded to the spine and has a short closed tear to the base of the front panel. Presentation copy from the author to the author and explorer Marika Hanbury-Tenison and her husband Robin: ‘For Robin & Marika with love from David alias John Le Carré, Pancreed, Easter Sunday, 1980‘.  Inscribed copies are exceptionally scarce in any form and this is a key Le Carré title.

The Story:

Smiley’s People is a 1979 novel by John le Carré, part of his celebrated “Karla Trilogy”, which also includes ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ and ‘The Honourable Schoolboy’. The novel centres on George Smiley, a retired British intelligence officer called back into service to resolve one final mystery involving his Soviet nemesis, Karla. The story begins with the murder of a former Soviet general, a defector working for British intelligence. Smiley is brought back from retirement by his former colleague to investigate. The deeper Smiley delves into the case, the more he realises that it connects to his long-standing pursuit of Karla, the shadowy and enigmatic head of Soviet intelligence.

The novel’s tone is one of suspense, intrigue, and psychological depth, as Smiley methodically uncovers clues and navigates a web of espionage, betrayal, and double agents. Unlike traditional spy thrillers, Smiley’s People focuses less on action and more on the intellectual and moral complexities of Cold War espionage. Smiley, an aging and contemplative figure, is portrayed as a man haunted by past failures, but with a quiet resolve to bring his arch-rival to justice.

At its core, Smiley’s People is about the culmination of Smiley’s lifelong battle with Karla, emphasizing themes of loyalty, duty, and the blurred lines between good and evil in the world of intelligence. The novel concludes with a powerful and personal showdown between Smiley and Karla, capping off one of literature’s most gripping spy sagas.

Smiley’s People was later adapted into a successful BBC television series in 1982, with Alec Guinness reprising his iconic role as George Smiley. The series is regarded as one of the best portrayals of le Carré’s complex and morally ambiguous world of espionage.

Key Features:

• Historical Significance: A first edition of the third title in the ‘Karla’ trilogy, uniquely signed and inscribed by the author.
• Collector’s Item: A rare and highly sought-after inscribed edition.
• Condition Details: A very good copy. Inscribed copies of this title are very scarce.

Marika Hanbury-Tenison: A Short Biography

Marika Hanbury-Tenison (1938–1982) was an English journalist, cookery writer, and explorer. She was married to the famous explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison, and together they embarked on various adventurous expeditions. Marika was known for her remarkable resilience, accompanying her husband on challenging trips despite her own health struggles. One of her notable journeys was to Brazil in 1971, where she and Robin lived among the Xingu people, a remote indigenous community. She documented her experiences in her book ‘For Better, For Worse’.

In addition to her exploration work, Marika became a prolific cookery writer. She wrote over 30 cookbooks and was the cookery editor for The Sunday Telegraph. Her passion for cooking came through experimentation, as she had no formal training. Among her notable publications are A Slice of Spice (1974), which chronicles a perilous journey to Indonesia, and several popular cookbooks focused on practical home cooking, such as Deep-Freeze Cookery.

Marika passed away in 1982 from cancer at the age of 44, leaving behind a legacy as a trail-blazing woman who balanced her love for food, writing, and adventure.

John Le Carré: A Short Biography

John le Carré was the pen name of David John Moore Cornwell (1931–2020), an acclaimed British author best known for his espionage novels, which explore the moral complexities of Cold War politics, loyalty, betrayal, and human nature. Le Carré’s works are considered classics of the spy genre, and many of his characters, such as George Smiley, have become iconic.

Early Life and Career

David Cornwell was born in Poole, Dorset, England, and raised in challenging circumstances due to his father’s criminal activities and his mother’s abandonment when he was five. He attended Sherborne School, then studied at the University of Bern and later at Oxford, where he was recruited by British intelligence. After graduating, he served briefly in the British Army and worked as a teacher before joining the UK’s Foreign Service in the 1950s.

Intelligence Work and Writing

Le Carré worked for both MI5 and MI6, Britain’s domestic and foreign intelligence services, during the height of the Cold War. His work as a spy provided the authentic backdrop for his novels. His first few books, such as Call for the Dead (1961) and A Murder of Quality (1962), introduced George Smiley, a character who would appear throughout his career. However, it was The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963), a bleak, gritty portrayal of the world of espionage, that made him an international sensation.

Themes and Style

Le Carré’s novels diverged from the glamorous, action-packed stories of spies like James Bond. Instead, they portrayed espionage as a morally ambiguous world filled with bureaucracy, deceit, and human frailty. His most famous works, like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974) and Smiley’s People (1979), focused on psychological tension, the emotional cost of espionage, and the complex geopolitical landscape of the Cold War.

Key Works

1. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963): A Cold War spy thriller about a British agent’s mission to bring down an East German intelligence officer.
2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974): A masterfully complex tale of Smiley’s investigation into a Soviet mole within British intelligence.
3. The Honourable Schoolboy (1977): A follow-up to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, focusing on espionage in Southeast Asia.
4. Smiley’s People (1980): The final book in the Karla Trilogy, culminating in George Smiley’s confrontation with his Soviet rival.
5. The Constant Gardener (2001): A later novel tackling corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, adapted into an award-winning film.

Legacy

Le Carré’s novels transcended the spy genre and were celebrated for their deep psychological insights, intricate plotting, and keen understanding of international politics. He continued to write prolifically into the 21st century, addressing contemporary issues like terrorism, corporate greed, and the post-Cold War political landscape. Several of his works have been adapted into successful films and television series, including The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and The Night Manager. Le Carré passed away in December 2020 at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest and most influential writers of his generation. His work not only entertained but also provoked deeper thinking about the human cost of espionage and global politics.

Robin Hanbury-Tension: A Short Biography

Robin Hanbury-Tenison is a prominent British explorer, author, and environmental campaigner, recognized for his numerous expeditions and work on indigenous rights and rainforest conservation. Born on May 17, 1936, he has led a diverse career, making a significant impact on exploration, anthropology, and environmental advocacy.

Key Achievements:

1. Exploration: Hanbury-Tenison is best known for his expeditions to remote areas of the world, particularly in South America and Southeast Asia. In the 1970s, he led an important expedition with Survival International to study the Xingu people in Brazil, focusing on the effects of outside contact on indigenous tribes. He has made over 30 expeditions to remote parts of the world.
2. Survival International: Hanbury-Tenison was a founding member of this organization, which advocates for the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples around the world. His work has helped raise awareness of the importance of protecting vulnerable indigenous groups from exploitation and destruction.
3. Writing and Publications: Over the years, Hanbury-Tenison has written numerous books, including “A Question of Survival” (1973), “Fragile Eden” (1992), and “The Great Explorers” (2010). His writings often combine his experiences as an explorer with broader concerns about environmentalism and cultural preservation.
4. Recognition: Hanbury-Tenison has received various honours for his work. In 1982, he was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He has also been honoured with awards from the Royal Geographical Society for his contributions to exploration and environmental causes.
5. Personal Life: Hanbury-Tenison married Marika Hopkinson in 1959, who was herself a well-known writer and explorer until her death in 1982. He remarried Louella Green in 1985. He continues to live on his farm in Cornwall, where he focuses on environmental and agricultural projects​. Hanbury-Tenison remains an influential figure in both the exploration community and environmental activism, with a career spanning decades of adventure and advocacy.

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