Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

A George Smiley Novel

By: John le Carré

Narrated by: Michael Jayston

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The inspiration for the major motion picture Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, starring Gary Oldman and Colin Firth.

The first novel in John le Carré's celebrated Karla trilogy, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a heart-stopping tale of international intrigue.

The man he knew as "Control" is dead, and the young Turks who forced him out now run the Circus. But George Smiley isn't quite ready for retirement - especially when a pretty, would-be defector surfaces with a shocking accusation: a Soviet mole has penetrated the highest level of British Intelligence. Relying only on his wits and a small, loyal cadre, Smiley recognizes the hand of Karla - his Moscow Centre nemesis - and sets a trap to catch the traitor.

The feature film adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is directed by Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In) and features a cast that includes Gary Oldman as Smiley, Academy Award-winner Colin Firth (The King's Speech), and Tom Hardy (Inception).

©2011 John le Carre (P)2011 Penguin

Great

One of the best Smiley novels. Smiley's growth as he approaches Hayden's treason is taught.

Loved it!

Would you listen to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy again? Why?

Yes, would definately listen again because I enjoyed the story and would probably pick up more details know that I know the main characters. The narration strikes the right balance, not beening too theatrical but keeping the story moving.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but due to the time, it was stretched out over a delightful weekend.

Complex and Intellectually Stimulating

I freely admit I didn't understand even half the interwoven intrigue, but it didn't matter because I was enjoying the ride the whole time. The reader has a smooth voice that he tweaks expertly to indicate various characters. Great read and great story!

Like a long friendship

I’ve read and read again, and now listened. The plodding complexity and excellence of this book never fails to astound me, and I’ve no doubt this audiobook listen will not be my last. The narrator here, Michael Jayston, is wonderful—he brings that dutiful and tragic “Death of a Salesman” tone to Smiley’s genius that I have always heard in my reading. Come to this audiobook prepared to stop and Wiki-Your-Way through some Cold War refreshers (this is a good thing). Five Golden Stars for this classic.

Le Carre at his best

Read it long ago and enjoyed this presentation of the novel immensely. Great company on my walks.

Wow

This book has been on my list for years. I am an avid spy novel reader/listener, and never have I encountered a novel that left me feeling so riveted.
The mind game that was played out, with little action, made it so much more deeper. I honestly felt at the end of the book that something more was to be had. Like we had only received a small slice of the story.

The performance was very well done, and easily understandable.

I highly recommend this book!

I love the narration of my favorite book

I no longer order audible books because the narration is usually very distracting and irritating but Michael Jayston has done a faultless job of bringing Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy to life. Thank you sir.

Audible, however, has found a way to dilute my pleasure by using an image of Gary Oldman for the "cover" page. The movie version of TTSS that Mr Goldman was in is a joke. No disrespect meant for Goldman's performance but the screenplay has no relation to John LeCarre's masterpiece. So it pisses me off to see his smirking face every time I want to listen to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The greatest spy novel of all time

There is no better work of espionage fiction than TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY; it is the absolute gold standard by which all over spy novels are measured, and to my mind will never be bettered.

Thee 'Dick.

the "duck". very "tough writing". a 3-5 time Reed ... i love u narration. is veas-nodek for his tunes

The spy thriller classic that set the standard

John le Carre was not simply a spy thriller genre writer. He is one of the greatest novelists ever, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was his masterpiece, albeit I liked The Honourable Schoolboy as much if not more. Michael Jayston's narration is classic. Who could have done any better, writer or narrator?