Questions About Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

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Answered Questions (10)

Can I read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy first or would you recommend I start with Call for the Dead (the first book in the Smiley series)?

Joseph Before reading any of these books I suggest you Google "John Le Carré spy jargon". You will find definitions of "janitor", "mother", and several other…moreBefore reading any of these books I suggest you Google "John Le Carré spy jargon". You will find definitions of "janitor", "mother", and several other code words sprinkled throughout the book.(less)

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I am currently taking a class on Politics of Industrialize Societies. The class, however, focuses on European political structure. We have a book critique due at the end of the term, and I am deciding on whether to read Tinker, Tailor, or a political analysis on the IRA. I have always wanted to read Tinker, Tailor, but I'm wondering how it will mesh with the class material. Thoughts?

Mehmet Serdar Thinker, Tailor would not be the correct material, i guess. I would rather recommend Ken Follet's Century Triology as it is perfect tour de france of …moreThinker, Tailor would not be the correct material, i guess. I would rather recommend Ken Follet's Century Triology as it is perfect tour de france of European politics of 20th century.(less)

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Can someone confirm this book is set in the 1970's? I need it for a reading challenge prompt. Thanks!

Bill Rathbone They don’t say definitively, but at one point they talk about one character’s history and the 60s are referred to as the past. Could be late 60s but m…moreThey don’t say definitively, but at one point they talk about one character’s history and the 60s are referred to as the past. Could be late 60s but more likely early 70s. Wikipedia says the plot mirrors some actual events in 1972 involving British spies. (less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Claire Louise Jim breaks an owls neck at the start of the novel. Much further in when he’s telling Smiley about how it all went down with Testify, he mentions that …moreJim breaks an owls neck at the start of the novel. Much further in when he’s telling Smiley about how it all went down with Testify, he mentions that he wishes he’d broken the fiat drivers neck. These two mentions suggest it might be Jim ‘handwriting’ to kill that way. Haydon is found with a broken neck. Jim knows where he is likely because he’s trailed Smiley as he did when Smiley went to the safe house. After Smiley visits Jim at the school there’s a few mentions of Peter or George being followed by someone that could meet Jim description, mainly specific references to a crooked back/stooped walk or similar. This suggests to be that Jim was carrying out surveillance while the school thought he was looking after his sick mother.
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Why no "Rich Man"? Rhyme goes "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggarman, thief." Tinker = Percy Allenine, Tailor = Bill Haydon, Soldier = Roy Bland, Poor Man = Toby Esterhase, Beggarman = Smiley. It's explained why there's no "sailor," but why no rich man?