Karla's Choice

A John le Carré Novel

John le Carré author Nick Harkaway author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:24th Oct '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Karla's Choice cover

DISCOVER THE MOST-TALKED ABOUT THRILLER OF THE YEAR . . .

‘Reads like a lost le Carrè. Smiley is back at the Circus in the safest of hands’ RICHARD OSMAN

‘Karla’s Choice is a note-perfect tribute to le Carré that feels fresh and new’ MICK HERRON

‘Le Carre’s legacy is in good hands – Smiley is back with a vengeance!’ IAN RANKIN

‘An exceptional espionage novel in its own right’ WILLIAM BOYD

‘Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job with his father’s legacy’ TELEGRAPH

‘An accomplished homage and a captivating thriller’ THE ECONOMIST
--- --- ---

It is spring in 1963 and George Smiley has left the Circus. With the wreckage of the West's spy war with the Soviets strewn across Europe, he has eyes only on a more peaceful life. And indeed, with his marriage more secure than ever, there is a rumour in Whitehall – unconfirmed and a little scandalous – 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 Susanna, 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 will soon find himself entangled in a perilous mystery that will define the battles to come, and strike at the heart of his greatest enemy…

--- --- ---

Set in the missing decade between two iconic novels starring George Smiley, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, this is an extraordinary, thrilling return to the world of spymaster John le Carré, written by the author’s son and acclaimed novelist, Nick Harkaway.

‘Is this new ‘le Carré’ novel even better than the master himself? Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job with his father’s legacy. Karla’s Choice is note-perfect.’ -- Jake Kerridge * The Telegraph *
What a treat! Karla's Choice expertly evokes the atmosphere of the originals * Guardian *
A loving tribute as well as an excellent novel in its own right -- Anthony Cummins * The Observer *
It is difficult to encapsulate what a remarkable achievement this novel is. Karla’s Choice is absolutely first rate, as both a homage to le Carré and as a work in its own right -- Stuart Kelly * The Scotsman *
Karla’s Choice breathes new life into the murky world of the Circus. If you haven’t read any Smiley books, then this wouldn’t be a bad place to start -- David Mills * Sunday Times *
An accomplished and welcome addition to le Carré's oeuvre. Harkaway has drawn on his deep knowledge of his father's work to produce a tale faithful to the originals, while subtly adding a lighter, more modern touch. * The Financial Times *
Harkaway is a fine writer and he has resurrected his father’s books brilliantly * The I *
A satisfyingly intricate tale filled with intrigue and suspense. Karla's Choice is an accomplished homage and a captivating thriller. * The Economist *
Reads like a lost le Carrè. Smiley is back at the Circus in the safest of hands -- Richard Osman
A brilliant and almost uncanny incarnation of le Carré’s voice and world - and an exceptional espionage novel in its own right -- William Boyd
Karla’s Choice is a note-perfect tribute to le Carré that feels fresh and new, and yet fits seamlessly into the world of Smiley’s Circus in its heyday. -- Mick Herron
Le Carre’s legacy is in good hands - Smiley is back with a vengeance! -- Ian Rankin
Karla’s Choice is a glorious conjuration of a lost era. It’s a book as rich and complex as its cast of characters. But it’s also a feat of extraordinary literary alchemy. Harkaway has summoned Smiley, his colleagues, antagonists, and the dark moral machinations of their secret Cold War institutions back into existence with all the deft emotional precision of the best of Le Carré, but in so doing he has given us something wondrously new: a giddying, compulsively fierce novel that is very much his own. I read it twice in as many days and am about to pick it up and read it again.’ -- Helen MacDonald, author of H is for Hawk
Tense and atmospheric, meditative and moving. Fans of le Carré will have much to rejoice about -- Tan Twan Eng
The legendary Smiley’s return is a classic thinking person’s espionage thriller packed with more secrets, tricks and deceptions than a roomful of triple agents. We have witnessed the rebirth of an icon -- Scott Mariani
Smiley and his people are back, and thank god for that. Karla's Choice is a beautifully rendered spy story full of familiar characters and authentic Cold War tradecraft. It's the missing chapter of Smiley's battle with Karla that we've always wanted, and Harkaway delivers. -- David McCloskey, author of The Damascus Station
Gripping, clever, and full of tension, Karla’s Choice bridges the gap in the Smiley saga perfectly. Fans of John le Carré will not be disappointed. -- Lisa Hall
Every reader of John le Carré will love this brilliant book -- Tony Parsons
It’s thrilling to be back with old friends and enemies. Smiley’s tested, essential goodness sings through the pages. I couldn’t put it down. -- S J Bennett
The legendary Smiley’s return is a classic thinking person’s espionage thriller packed with more secrets, tricks and deceptions than a roomful of triple agents. We have witnessed the rebirth of an icon, -- Scott Mariani, Number One Sunday Times Bestselling author of the Ben Hope series
Elegant as smoke, ruthless as steel, Karla’s Choice is a love letter to fans of Smiley, but it’s also got le Carre’s furious humanity and Harkaway’s playful intellect. A genuinely surprising treat. -- Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls

ISBN: 9780241714904

Dimensions: 241mm x 163mm x 29mm

Weight: 524g

320 pages