Karla's Choice

A John le Carré Novel

De: Nick Harkaway

Narrado por: Simon Russell Beale, Nick Harkaway

The instant international bestseller set in the world of John le Carré's most iconic spy, George Smiley, written by acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway

It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West’s spy war against the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only for a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumor that George Smiley might almost be happy.

But Control has other plans. A Russian agent has defected in the most unusual of circumstances, and the man he was sent to kill in London is nowhere to be found. Smiley reluctantly agrees to one last simple task: interview Szusanna, a Hungarian émigré and employee of the missing man, and sniff out a lead.

But in his absence, the shadows of Moscow have lengthened. Smiley soon finds himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come and set him on a collision course with the greatest enemy he will ever make.

Set in the missing decade between two iconic instalments in John le Carré's George Smiley saga, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Karla’s Choice marks a momentous return to the world of spy fiction's greatest writer.

©2024 Nick Harkaway (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024 by the Washington Post, the Guardian, LitHub, Crime Reads, Boston Globe, and AARP

"Nick Harkaway's novel delivers fresh Cold War intrigue for John le Carré’s redoubtable spymaster."—Wall Street Journal

"John le Carré’s son does him proud in an excellent spy thriller about a Soviet agent that faithfully bridges two of his father’s classic tales. . . Harkaway reproduces his father’s rhythms at the level of sentence and plot alike, with slow-burn tension giving way to agonizing jeopardy as cat-and-mouse games explode into crunching hand-to-hand combat or street gun battles. . . [Karla’s Choice is] a loving tribute to a complicated father (as Harkaway’s dedication seems to acknowledge) as well as an excellent novel in its own right."—The Guardian

"Karla’s Choice is a Cold War espionage novel taking up the characters that people regard as quintessentially le Carré: the rumpled, melancholy Smiley and his ruthless Soviet counterpart Karla. By writing it, Harkaway hasn’t just crossed into his father’s literary airspace—he’s descending into the heart of the territory and rolling out the landing gear. . . It’s an homage to John le Carré, from the characters to the cadences of his prose. It’s also, undeniably, a document of grief for David Cornwell."—Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post

Simply perfect

Like stepping back into a world you thought had gone forever. It hasn’t left, it’s better than ever

Riveting!

Excellent plot development —everything you would hope for. I hope there will be a sequel. The narrator was also spot on. Bravo!

Great Read

Enjoyed the story well written and beautifully narrated. I would recommend any Le carre fans to give it a listen

A match to his father’s mastery.

I grew up savoring LeCarre’s well-crafted characters and real-politik view of Cold War struggles. What a rich treat to once again be drawn into the world of 60’s spy craft and my favorite “Circus” people by the son of the master of the medium. What a loving gift of a remarkably talented son to his dad - and to us.

More Smiley

More of everything you want out of the Smiley canon. Familiar names, places, and ideas makes this a very quick story and reminds you of why you love these characters.

Exceeded my expectations

I didn’t know what to expect but this was very good. Good story, deep understanding of the original characters. Keeps you in suspense.

Excellent listen

Though it does have a moment of unabashed fan service in the form of an unexpected hug, the author has drafted a love letter to his father and mother in the form of a Smiley adventure extraordinarily well realized. A welcome addition to the canon, no asterisk required.

Better Than Might Think!

Took a moment to realize that Nick is David's son. I kept my skepticism in place, just the same. Why read a "pretend John Le Carre" novel?!

I'm glad I kept the skepticism as it made the story that much more surprisingly good! Nick doesn't have his father's voice nor should he. It's unnecessary if you already know enough about Smiley, the company he keeps or how he gets around--especially when he's trying to dodge hoods from Moscow Center in enemy territory. Likewise, the new characters are just as interesting as the original cast (dead or alive). You might try Liza Mundy's books on code girls and female CIA case officers for better context, also.

My star ratings might have to speak for themselves as much for me. I did have to increase the reading speed a bit to keep up (that's an impressive technology!). Beyond that, a thoroughly enjoyable listen!

Commendable

The book was interesting in many ways. We got to see Smiley being operational as opposed to exclusively managing an op. We got much more about Control than any other book. More background about Karla. Why no one really knows his name.

Beale hits Smiley as good as Guinness. Possibly better. Couldn’t ask for more.

The dialog was not the usual LeCarre. No “poison dwarfs” or “your little cabaret” idioms. Sometimes the LeCarre dialogue could come off staccato in the banter. This was not present in this novel.

More characters were flushed out. Connie and the Dark Aunts. They came off more like the Weird Sisters. Which was good. Toby was seen more in action and with strength as opposed to “running between parties like a poodle” in other novels.

I listened to the book twice to pick up on more nuances.

The first time it was “ok”. After I had listened to it the second time understanding it was Smiley by a different hand than I had always been accustomed, I appreciated it much more.

It was a good contribution to the body of Smiley works.

Fabulous!

The writing and the characterizations are top notch. An honorable chip off the old block!