Few corporations other than the BBC would dare drag a 200-page novel out to over 4 hours of TV time, and very few actors other than Sir Alec Guinness could have held the viewer fascinated throughout such a marathon. Smileys People: The Karla Trilogy Book 3 John Le Carre Published by Bolinda Publishing, 2014 ISBN 10: 1486232051 ISBN 13: 9781486232055 Seller: THE SAINT BOOKSTORE, Southport, United Kingdom Seller Rating: Contact seller Book New Condition: New US 21.02 Convert currency US 11.15 Shipping From United Kingdom to U.S.A. Especially in the final scene, where all Smiley's friends and supporters are practically dancing with joy, Guinness's studied absence of emotion dominates. Novels by John le Carré in which the character George Smiley appears. Guinness's gelid tones and painstakingly slow gestures manage to put them all, even the bubbly Bernard Hepton and Beryl Reid, in the shade. The cast list has a plethora of famous names, some so heavily made up and convincingly acted as to be unrecognisable as themselves. 1979 David Cornwell (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd. The TV series follows every detail of the novel and cannot be faulted on any grounds of atmosphere. Le Carré heroes certainly arent men of action the protagonist of many of his novels, the doughy and mild-mannered George Smiley, is considered the anti-James Bond. George Smiley was summoned from his dubious retirement by two seemingly unconnected events - an old woman in Paris is promised the return of a daughter she will never see, and a handover is to take place on a steamer in Hamburg. Le Carre, unlike many espionage authors, really knew the setting, the techniques and many of the people.

'Smiley's People', like the earlier 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy', derives much of its fascination from its mundane realism. The recent death of Sir Alec Guinness prompted me to wonder which role in his very long career he should be remembered for, and I believe it should be his portrayal of John Le Carre's master spy and inadequate man, George Smiley.

Smiley's People by John le Carré