Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Signed And Inscribed By John Le Carré

Author: John Le Carré
Price: £1950
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, London, UK
Edition: First edition
Publication Date: 1974
Format: Original cloth gilt. Dustwrapper
Condition: Very good in very good dustwrapper
Pages: 349

Description:
Binding nice and tight with slight rubbing to the edges. Foxing to the text-block and very minor age-spotting to the endpapers otherwise pages nice and clean. A very good copy overall in very good, slightly nicked and rubbed 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: ‘For Marika with love from John Le Carré* with warmest wishes, Sancreed, 19th July 74 *David‘.  Inscribed copies are exceptionally scarce in any form and this is a key Le Carré title.

The Story:

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a 1974 espionage novel by John le Carré, part of the “Karla Trilogy” and one of his most acclaimed works. The novel is set during the Cold War and centres on a complex story of betrayal, deceit, and the search for a Soviet mole within the British intelligence agency, known as the Circus.

Plot Summary

The protagonist, George Smiley, a retired intelligence officer, is called back to investigate rumors of a Soviet mole in the top echelons of British intelligence. Smiley’s former colleague, Control, had narrowed down the potential moles to four senior members of the Circus, code-named “Tinker,” “Tailor,” “Soldier,” and “Poor Man” (the latter referred to as “Beggar Man” in other adaptations). Smiley is tasked with uncovering the mole, working through a web of secrets, personal betrayals, and political intrigue.

The novel examines the moral ambiguities of espionage, depicting British intelligence not as glamorous but rather as a bureaucratic, treacherous world. The mole’s unmasking forms the heart of the novel, culminating in a dramatic revelation.

Major Themes

• Betrayal and Loyalty: Central to the plot is the idea of betrayal on both personal and professional levels. Smiley must grapple with loyalty to his country and colleagues while pursuing someone who has sold out the same values.
• Cold War Ideology: The novel explores the ideological conflict between East and West during the Cold War and questions the morality of both sides’ actions in the name of intelligence and security.
• Human Frailty: Le Carré’s characters are deeply flawed, and their personal vulnerabilities often mirror their professional failings. Smiley, despite his sharp mind, deals with personal issues, including a failing marriage.

Adaptations

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has been adapted multiple times:

1. 1979 BBC TV Series: Starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, this adaptation is widely regarded as a faithful and masterful interpretation of the novel.
2. 2011 Film: Directed by Tomas Alfredson, this adaptation stars Gary Oldman as Smiley and features an ensemble cast. It was praised for its atmospheric tone and complex storytelling.

Legacy

The novel cemented John le Carré’s reputation as one of the greatest writers of espionage fiction, known for his realistic and morally complex portrayal of intelligence work. The character of George Smiley became iconic, appearing in other works by le Carré, including The Honourable Schoolboy (1977) and Smiley’s People (1980).

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy remains a defining work of Cold War literature, lauded for its deep character studies and intricate plotting.

Key Features:

• Historical Significance: A first edition of the first 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.

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