A book of 1974.With an enlightening 1991 Introduction on Carré's characters vis-a-vis himself; that is,many similarities perceived between Carré and Philby,Kim...regarding the father ("dictatorial") figure;though Carré never went Philby's way. Also mentioned Carré's sympathy for George Blake: another KGB traitor,but of Jewish and Dutch descent. Revealing: Carré's reflections on the word "mole": his? ...well,no. Maybe coined by Francis Bacon, back in 1641 in "Histoire of the King Henry the Seventh".Interesting considerations about the Russians secret services and language: more imaginative.
Well, then, after the Introduction: the plot...or the story; but never to forget Carré's own words:"The answer is that nothing that I write is authentic. It is the stuff of dreams, not reality."
http://www.johnlecarre.com/news/2011/...