John le Carré’s Son Confidently Upholds His Father’s Legacy

By Beatrice Morandi

John le Carré, with his iconic character George Smiley, captivated readers across England and eventually the world with his masterful spy fiction. Every generation knows at least one of Smiley’s unforgettable stories. On November 14th, at Waterstones in Piccadilly, Nick Harkaway, le Carré’s son, met with Philippe Sands to discuss his latest publication, Karla’s Choice. The book reintroduces Smiley, the quintessential detective, in a tale that bridges the past and present. 

Karla’s Choice is a collaboration between le Carré and his son, Nick Harkaway. Completed posthumously by Harkaway after his father’s passing, the book has already garnered critical acclaim. The Guardian aptly described it: “Harkaway faithfully reproduces his father’s rhythms at the level of sentence and plot alike.” This has set high expectations among readers and critics alike. At the book launch event, Desire O’Donough, an avid le Carré fan, shared her thoughts: “I bought the book as soon as it was released. It’s perfectly written. Honestly, I don’t usually trust posthumous works, but his son did an incredible job.” 

During the event, Harkaway opened up about the emotional and creative challenges he faced after his father’s death. “My whole family believed I was the only one capable of continuing his legacy. I felt the immense pressure of his towering figure, but as I started writing, I realized that he had been teaching me how to write, almost subconsciously, since I was a child.” 

The audience laughed as Harkaway reminisced about growing up with his father. “I remember mornings when, after staying up all night writing, he would join my mother and me at the breakfast table and recite what he had written. I’ve been immersed in his world of storytelling from the very beginning.” 

The discussion between Harkaway and Sands was engaging and lively, reflecting their long-standing camaraderie. Sands asked Harkaway about the differences between his own writing style and his father’s. Harkaway responded thoughtfully: “The main difference, I think, is that I prefer to offer a hopeful ending. My father, on the other hand, often leaned towards darker, more ambiguous conclusions.” 

Harkaway also touched on the careful balance he struck while completing Karla’s Choice. “The anxiety and pressure to honor his legacy were immense. I was meticulous about what to include and what to leave out. Ultimately, I felt it was important to provide a sense of resolution, which feels right for both the story and the readers.” 

On the same day as the event, we exchanged emails with Shane Whaley of the Spybrary Podcast to discuss the enduring appeal of spy fiction and George Smiley’s place within it. “Smiley is entirely unique,” Whaley explained. “Unlike James Bond, who is overly glamorous and far removed from reality, Smiley operates in a world that feels authentic. He’s a character readers can truly identify with.” 

Whaley also drew literary parallels: “The atmosphere in le Carré’s books is reminiscent of Dickens and Conan Doyle. While film adaptations often fail to do justice to such rich storytelling, the Smiley series managed to capture the essence of the books quite well.” 

George Smiley’s journey began in 1961 with the publication of Call for the Dead, and over the decades, he has become a timeless figure in the world of espionage fiction. At the event, Harkaway expressed his desire to expand upon his father’s legacy: “I believe I can fill in the gaps between Smiley’s earlier and later investigations. If all goes well, we might even publish two more books.” 

This prospect was met with enthusiasm by fans, including Desire O’Donough, who said, “I’d be thrilled to see two more books. When you love a character as much as Smiley, you cling to the hope that their story isn’t over.” 

The legacy of John le Carré is undoubtedly in capable hands. Harkaway’s skillful continuation of Smiley’s saga ensures that new generations of readers will have the chance to explore this complex and compelling world. With Karla’s Choice already receiving widespread praise and the possibility of more stories to come, George Smiley’s understated yet powerful presence in spy fiction remains unshakable.