Questions About A Legacy of Spies (George Smiley, #9)

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Answered Questions (13)

Do you need to read earlier books with Smiley to follow this one, or can they be read out of order?

Marissa Lucado I believe it would be very helpful, in order to understand the "backstory" in Legacy to read "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold." Legacy is really a s…moreI believe it would be very helpful, in order to understand the "backstory" in Legacy to read "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold." Legacy is really a sequel to this book.(less)

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I enjoyed the Circus books, but became frustrated with Le Carre's later works. His output devolved in to a series of bitter, deeply cynical, anti-American tracts. He won friends amongst the Left, and no doubt received accolades from The Guardians, but I wanted more story-telling and fewer polemics. So, a question: is Carre worth reading again? Or is it more of the same?

carol johnson Yes, it is definitely worth reading A Legacy of Spies. One character is anti-American but most of the references to Americans are more amusing and app…moreYes, it is definitely worth reading A Legacy of Spies. One character is anti-American but most of the references to Americans are more amusing and appropriate than bitter and/or cynical. The story is told from the viewpoint of a now-retired Circus spy and anyone who had read Le Carre will feel happy, almost over joyed with reading such a layered, beautifully written book, with all the junk that is out there. It does help to have read some of Le Carre's earlier books, particularly A Spy that Came in From the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, primarily because it gives more meaning to some of the events and persons discussed in this book, but even if you have not, you should still appreciate the book. (less)

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What year is this? There are "hashtags", so 2005-ish? How can Guillam and Smiley still be alive? Can Smiley die? Is he asleep under a hill with his knights waiting to come and save us? George, the time is now!

Tom Dickinson It's set in the 2010s, so George is in his 90s and Peter is in his 70s.…moreIt's set in the 2010s, so George is in his 90s and Peter is in his 70s.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Betsy The Germans are aware who Smiley is, so Liz has basically told them that she and Alec are British spies. Alec is being heavily manipulated by the Circ…moreThe Germans are aware who Smiley is, so Liz has basically told them that she and Alec are British spies. Alec is being heavily manipulated by the Circus here. It is confusing, that's for sure !! (maybe someone else can take it from here)(less)

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Who else has noticed the many small inconsistencies between A Legacy Of Spies and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold? I allude to them in my review, and wonder how they came to be. For example, Alec Leamas punches Ford the grocer in an argument over £1 of goods in Spy, but in Legacy this becomes £45. Many more than I can list in the space allowed here.