Karla’s Choice (Nick Harkaway) – book review

When John Le Carrè died he was keen to see his literary legacy live on. He specifically asked his family to do so, leading to a number of successful TV adaptations of his work and the publication of his letters (A Private Spy). Based on this wish, the family asked Nick Harkaway, Le Carrè’s youngest child, if he would be interested in writing a book in Le Carrè’s Circus continuity and featuring spy George Smiley. Harkaway is an established author in his own right, although he has mainly stayed away from espionage, working successfully in new weird (The Gone Away World, Angelmaker) and crime (Titanium Noir). In the introduction to Karla’s Choice Harkaway says that he felt daunted but honoured to be asked and has delivered a fitting entry into this well-loved series.

Karla’s Choice is set in the period between The Spy Who Came in from The Cold and the ‘Karla trilogy’ which starts with Tinker, Tailer, Soldier Spy. George Smiley has retired from the Circus (MI6) and is living a bucolic life with his wife Ann. But the head of the Circus, Control, has other ideas. When a Hungarian émigré comes in with a story of a Russian hitman who has had a change of heart and that his target, her Hungarian boss is missing, Control asks Smiley to come in for ‘one last job’. Thus begins a hunt for the missing man who is also being sought after by a Russian agent known only as Karla. And before long, Smiley is back in the game.

While it is not true to say Karla’s Choice is pastiche, it is written in a style that’s reminiscent of the phase of Le Carrè’s work from the 1960s and 70s. It is an espionage story in the classic vein – slow and methodical until there are short bursts of action. Harkaway does a great job of inhabiting his father’s world, echoing the cadence of Le Carrè’s work without being slavish. Many of the characters from the existing canon are back, but this is really Smiley’s book. That and an origin story for his ultimate nemesis, Karla. And being 2024, Harkaway also introduces some new characters to round out the traditional cast which was mainly white, middle aged men.

Harkaway has well and truly fulfilled the brief here. This is not 100% Le Carrè but it scratches an itch for those seeking a classic espionage hit in a familiar world. Harkaway provides a narrative that fits neatly into the existing continuity, while also delivering an insight into the ‘missing years’ of the Smiley biography and leaving the door open for more.

Robert Goodman
For more of Robert’s reviews, visit his blog Pile By the Bed

Other reviews you might enjoy:

• Silverview (John Le Carré) – book review
• The Devil’s Bargain (Stella Rimington) – book review
• Titamium Noir (Nick Harkaway) – book review