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The Honourable Schoolboy

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The Honourable Schoolboy

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE SIXTH GEORGE SMILEY NOVEL

George Smiley, now acting head of the Circus, must rebuild its shattered reputation after one of the biggest betrayals in its history. Using the talents of journalist and occasional spy Jerry Westerby, Smiley launches a risky operation uncovering a Russian money-laundering scheme in the Far East. His aim: revenge on Karla, head of Moscow Centre and the architect of all his troubles.

In the second part of John le Carré's Karla Trilogy, the battle of wits between Smiley and his Soviet adversary takes on an even more dangerous dimension.

'Energy, compassion, rich and overwhelming sweep of character and action' The Times

'A remarkable sequel ... the achievement is in the characters, major and minor ... all burned on the brain of the reader' The New York Times

© John le Carré 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024

 Classics Espionage Historical Mystery Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Russia Soviet Union
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Having had the great pleasure of listening to Michael Jayston narrating the Spy Who Came in From the Cold, Beale as a narrator feels like the mother of all downgrades. The story is complex and well written as you would expect from Le Carre and it is clearly extensively researched and with colourful and interesting characters. Personally I feel the narration is such a let down. I find Beales voice incredibly annoying particularly when reading female characters. His North American accents are grating. I feel he makes a complex plot even harder to follow because at times you just can't bare to hear him narrate any longer. Beale is a fantastic actor, he's just not a very good choice of narrator.

A complex and well researched story that's let down by the narration.

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Somewhat new to John Le Carre. Only read Tinker Tailor and The Perfect Spy. This was great and the narration even better. I’ve pre-ordered Smileys People narrated by the same artist.

Wonderful book and even better narration

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and the characters are incredible and memorable. I loved it. if you like le Carré and / or a good spy yarn, you will love too. the narration is perfect

what a terrific story

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I love this writer, but this book was beyond me. I couldn’t make any sense of the story and after 2 chapters I gave up. What a shame.

Couldn’t get into it

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Even the king Russell Beall could not make this work. I found myself drifting off and that never happens. I gave it 5 hours. Don’t waste credit.

Who know JLC could be so very dull

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