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Desiree asked this question about A Legacy of Spies: A Novel:
Do you need to read earlier books with Smiley to follow this one, or can they be read out of order?
Ed Stock To summarize the answers: No, if you don't mind being confused the entire time. Yes, if you want to understand the "historical" context of the many re…moreTo summarize the answers: No, if you don't mind being confused the entire time. Yes, if you want to understand the "historical" context of the many references in the book to people and events that were introduced in previous books.
Among the books the comments recommend are:
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (consensus is this is the #1 essential book); Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; Call for the Dead; Looking Glass War; Smiley's People.... or just about any book that has George Smiley as a character.
I read this book, having read every other book John le Carré had ever written, but my memory of the plots and characters of books I read 20 years ago is completely faded. It was as if I was new to him as an author, even though the style of his writing (particularly the dialog) hasn't changed a bit in all those years.
There you go, then: Set aside a month or so and commit each day to several hours of reading John le Carré's old books, and then tackle this one. You'll be so happy you did.(less)
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A Legacy of Spies
by John Le Carré
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