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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
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Content provided by The le Carre Cast. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The le Carre Cast or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Exploring the works of John le Carré, each episode looks at a specific novel or an unexplored aspect of his life and work. Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of espionage John le Carré has revealed.
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55 episodes
Mark all (un)played …
Manage series 3374744
Content provided by The le Carre Cast. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by The le Carre Cast or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Exploring the works of John le Carré, each episode looks at a specific novel or an unexplored aspect of his life and work. Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of espionage John le Carré has revealed.
…
continue reading
55 episodes
All episodes
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part Two 42:19
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42:19In this episode we continue to look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice . You can find part one here . Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, returns to talk through what we thought about this new Smiley novel. Plus, an exclusive discussion with Nick Harkaway about Karla’s choice. All that and much more in this episode. Steven’s episode on collecting John le Carré is here . Spybrary’s interview with Nick Harkaway. The le Carré Cast interview with Nick Harkaway . Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part One 46:15
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46:15In this episode we look at Nick Harkaway’s 2024 George Smiley novel, Karla’s Choice . Steven Ritterman, le Carré expert and collector, joins me to talk through all of our thoughts on this Smiley continuation novel. We talk reference Jurassic Park’s famous quote “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could , they didn’t stop to think if they should ,” All that and much more in this episode. We’ll be back in two weeks for part 2. Steven’s episode on collecting John le Carré is here . Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
In this episode I’ve pulled some of my favorite clips from shows this past year. If you missed an episode or enjoyed the shows from this past year, I think you’ll enjoy it. Listen in for the cream of the crop! Dominic Sandbrook on le Carré Paul French on The Honourable Schoolboy Mac Rodgers on the BBC Audio Dramas Shaun McKenna on writing the BBC Audio Dramas Jeremy Duns on Sarah Gainham Jonathan Ray on his Godmother Sarah Gainham Clarissa Aykroyd on A Most Wanted Man Shane Whaley on Absolute Friends David Eldridge on The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Nick Harkaway on Karla’s Choice Jeff on the SpyHards podcast talking about Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Email Jeff at lecarrecast AT gmail.com Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
This episode the le Carré Cast delves into the world of true crime with a look at one of the strangest moments in le Carré’s literary history. You won’t read about this one in Sisman’s biography! Settle in for the case of the fake blurbs. Further Reading Sources used to write this post are below. Both The New York Times and The Washington Post had some great reporting on the story with “The Bizarre story of Derek Goodwin” being especially well done. “A Spy Novel’s boosters it seems, aren’t” 04/13/1991, The New York Times “Book Notes” 09/25/1991, The New York Times “Manuscript with False Praise is Rejected” 04/26/1991, The New York Times “The Bizarre story of Derek Goodwin” 04/08/1991, The Washington Post “What’s up with the book biz” 04/23/1991, The Washington Post Thanks to Matthew Kresal for finding this 06/02/2013 interview, “The killer serial killer who scared the FBI” , with the Derek Goodwin in the French magazine, L’Express . All quotes from that story are with the caveat that they were run through Google Translate. Val Mcdermid’s message board posts circa 2003-2008 had some interesting discussions on the book. Clive Cussler by Stuart Leuthner had more on Cussler’s take on the incident. Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 2 43:05
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43:05In this episode we continue to look at John le Carré’s 2003 novel, Absolute Friends . Shane Whaley, host of the Spybrary podcast, is back to break down all of the action in this novel. We talk about the dramatic end of the novel, Mundy and Sasha’s motives and talk about the dangers of entrapment. Plus, an unexpected change in point of view that le Carré deploys at the end of the book? All that and much more in this episode. Find Part 1 here . God’s Spies by Elizabeth Braw – https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Spies-Stasis-Espionage-Campaign-ebook/dp/B07Z4BFKSL/ Laura Miller’s interview with le Carré on Absolute Friends – https://www.salon.com/2004/01/05/le_carre/ The Sceptre cover – Shane’s show Spybrary – https://spybrary.com/ Spybrary’s Facebook Community – https://www.facebook.com/groups/spybrary/ Shane’s Twitter – https://x.com/spybrary Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 1 45:25
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45:25In this episode we look at John le Carré’s 2003 novel, Absolute Friends . Shane Whaley, host of the Spybrary podcast joins the show to look at one of his favorite le Carré novels. We talk about the enigma that is Absolute Friends lead character Ted Mundy. How many trips over the wall does it take to get a gold watch from MI6? And do all tour guides make good spies? Plus, Lutheran pastor Stasi spies! All that and much more in this episode. We’ll be back in two weeks for part 2. God’s Spies by Elizabeth Braw – https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Spies-Stasis-Espionage-Campaign-ebook/dp/B07Z4BFKSL/ Shane’s show Spybrary – https://spybrary.com/ Spybrary’s Facebook Community – https://www.facebook.com/groups/spybrary/ Shane’s Twitter – https://x.com/spybrary Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Interview – David Eldridge on The Spy Who Came in from the Cold Stage Play 55:44
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55:44Donate to #TeamEvie and the Literally Healing program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24 , pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. In this episode I am pleased to welcome playwright David Eldridge to the show. We discuss his work adapting the book for the stage, Leamas and Liz, and the issues he hopes folks are talking about after the show. Plus a sneak peek at David’s upcoming ITV show Betrayal . All that and much more in this episode. David’s wikipedia page – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Eldridge_(dramatist) David’s Twitter – https://x.com/deldridgewriter?lang=en Buy The Spy Who Came in from the Cold play – https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/spy-who-came-in-from-the-cold-9781350512214/ Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Interview – Duane & Meredith Swierczynski on #TeamEvie 14:04
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14:04Donate to #TeamEvie and the Literally Healing program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24 , pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. In this episode I am pleased to welcome Meredith and Duane Swierczynski to the show to talk about the Evelyn Swierczynski Foundation. We learn about the Literally Healing program at CHLA, more about Evie, and various ways to give. Thanks so much to everyone who has already donated. I’ve heard from some of you and it means so much to see the generosity of this community. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24 , pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. Find the foundation here – https://www.teameviefoundation.com/ Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 Interview – Nick Harkaway on Karla’s Choice 1:12:30
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1:12:30Donate to #TeamEvie and the Literally Healing program at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Go to TinyURL.com/giveTE to make a monetary donation to the Literally Healing program or go to TinyURL.com/TeamE24 , pick a book and make sure to pick Team Evie as the shipping location. That’s so much for your support. In this episode I am pleased to welcome novelist Nick Harkaway, talking about his latest work, Karla’s Choice , a continuation of the George Smiley saga. The discussion navigates through Nick’s experiences growing up with his father, John le Carré, and the influence on his own writing journey. We discuss the challenges of upholding a literary legacy, Nick’s career transition from screenwriting to novel writing, and the evolution of characters within the espionage universe created by his father. We talk returning characters and how spying is magic. Plus, Wikipedia controversies, le Carré’s changing voice, and the difficulty of titling a book. All that and much more in this episode. Nick’s website – https://nickharkaway.com/ Nick’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harkaway/ Buy Karla’s Choice – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/763435/karlas-choice-by-nick-harkaway/ Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 3 46:43
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46:43In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy . Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here . Writer Paul French returns to the show for our epic finale looking at The Honourable Schoolboy. We talk more about the politics of Southeast Asia in the 1970’s, Jeff throws out his crazy fanboy theories and did Janet Leigh Carr really happen? Plus could The Honourable Schoolboy ever be filmed? All that and much more in this episode. Paul’s Website – https://paulfrench.substack.com/ Paul’s article on le Carré – https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/05/what-a-john-le-carre-novel-can-teach-about-china/ Paul’s new’s book Her Lotus Year – https://read.macmillan.com/lp/her-lotus-year/ Paul’s breakout hit Midnight in Peking – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/242223/paul-french/ Paul’s Twitter – https://x.com/chinarhyming Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy . Find Part 1 here . Writer Paul French returns to the show to share his extensive knowledge of China and Hong Kong. We talk about the political background surrounding China and the UK when THS was written, the Ko brothers, and ponder Lizzie Worthington. Plus what’s the deal with Jerry Westerby? All that and much more in this episode. Part 3 Paul’s Website – https://paulfrench.substack.com/ Paul’s article on le Carré – https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/05/what-a-john-le-carre-novel-can-teach-about-china/ Paul’s new’s book Her Lotus Year – https://read.macmillan.com/lp/her-lotus-year/ Paul’s breakout hit Midnight in Peking – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/242223/paul-french/ Paul’s Twitter – https://x.com/chinarhyming Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 1 41:17
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41:17In this episode we begin our look at John le Carré’s 1977 novel, The Honourable Schoolboy . I’m pleased to welcome writer Paul French to the show. Paul has extensive knowledge of China and Hong Kong and is the perfect person to discuss this particular novel. We talk about where le Carré got his ideas for the opening scene of the novel, the politics of the time and some F.I.L.T.H. Plus the Hong Kong foreign correspondents club’s urinal? All that and much more in this episode. Part 2 Part 3 Paul’s Website – https://paulfrench.substack.com/ Paul’s article on le Carré – https://thechinaproject.com/2021/02/05/what-a-john-le-carre-novel-can-teach-about-china/ Paul’s new’s book Her Lotus Year – https://read.macmillan.com/lp/her-lotus-year/ Paul’s breakout hit Midnight in Peking – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/242223/paul-french/ Paul’s Twitter – https://x.com/chinarhyming Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 After le Carré: Jonathan Ray on Sarah Gainham 56:21
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56:21Part 1 can be found here . Part 2 can be found here . We delve into the fascinating life of the enigmatic author Sarah Gainham, also known as Rachel Ames, with her godson Jonathan Ray, a drinks editor for The Spectator. We explore Rachel’s mysterious persona, her connections with spies and diplomats, and her life as an author. Jonathan shares stories about Rachel’s life in Vienna, her eccentric habits like stealing cats and smoking incessantly, and her love for Austrian wine. They also discuss her friendships with notable figures like Ian Fleming and John le Carré, her failed romantic relationships, and her significant yet largely forgotten contributions to spy fiction. Plus some stories of Jonathan’s war correspondent father, Cyril Ray. All that and more in this episode! The Estate of Sarah Gainham’s agent – https://greeneheaton.co.uk/clients/the-estate-of-sarah-gainham Vienna’s Beer Clinic – http://www.goesser-bierklinik.at/en/ The Third Man Museum – https://www.3mpc.net/englsamml.htm Grüner Veltliner – https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/white-wine/gruener-veltliner Jonathan’s article on The Third Man – https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-third-man-fans-guide-to-vienna/ Jonathan’s other writing at The Spectator – https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/jonathan-ray/ Jonathan’s book – That’s the Spirit! Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite The le Carré Cast on Twitter – @lecarrécast 00:48 Introducing Jonathan Ray 01:19 Rachel Ames: The Godmother 02:30 Early Life and Connections 04:37 Life in Vienna 05:59 Rachel’s Personality and Habits 09:38 Literary and Personal Legacy 24:37 Cold War Experiences 27:36 The Forgotten Fame of Rachel 28:33 Vienna and The Third Man 30:11 Rachel’s Love and Loneliness 34:16 Rachel’s Eccentricities and Memories 41:47 The Legacy of Rachel’s Novels 47:33 Preserving Rachel’s Archive 53:39 Final Thoughts and Farewell Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 2 37:10
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37:10Part 1 can be found here . We are back with part 2 of this look at the novelist Sarah Gainham. I continue to be joined in the discussion with writer Jeremy Duns. The episode begins with a recounting of a passage from ‘The Stone Roses,’ one of Gainham’s novels. We then discuss several of Gainham’s works, including ‘Time Right Deadly,’ ‘The Cold Dark Night,’ and ‘The Silent Hostage,’ exploring themes like politics, espionage, and deep human character studies. We also have an upcoming interview with Jonathan Ray, Gainham’s godson, to gain more insights into the author’s life and inspirations. All that and more in this episode. 01:41 Exploring Sarah Gainham’s Novels 02:05 Time Right Deadly: A Deep Dive 05:57 The Myth Maker: Kit Quest’s Adventure 11:37 The Stone Roses: A Recognizable Title 16:23 The Cold Dark Night: Berlin’s Espionage 25:25 Silent Hostage: Romance and Espionage 3 0:54 Ranking Sarah Gainham’s Novels 33:44 Upcoming Interview with Jonathan Ray 35:15 Closing Remarks and Other Podcasts Title Fight! The Good, the Bad and Ugly of Spy Book Titles with Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest. (102) Jeremy’s twitter – @JeremyDuns Jeremy’s Website – Jeremy-Duns.com Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
1 After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 1 46:28
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46:28Discovering Sarah Gainham: Unveiling the Overlooked Cold War Novelist In this episode of the le Carré Cast, we introduce a new feature – ‘After le Carré,’ spotlighting authors beyond John le Carré. Jeff welcomes back Jeremy Duns, writer and spy fiction enthusiast, to discuss Sarah Gainham, a lesser-known but richly talented spy novelist. They delve into the essential elements of le Carré’s works, Gainham’s life and career, and especially her novel The Tiger, Life . The discussion explores Gainham’s intricate plotting, authentic depictions of Cold War espionage, and her personal experiences that shaped her stories. The episode wraps up with intriguing insights into the realities of spy life and the dynamic between Gainham and her contemporaries. All that and more in this episode. 00:00 Welcome to the le Carré Cast 00:38 Introducing ‘After le Carré’ 00:48 Guest Introduction: Jeremy Duns 01:01 Defining a le Carré Novel 03:21 Spotlight on Sarah Gainham 06:24 Sarah Gainham’s Life and Career 09:30 Exploring Gainham’s Spy Novels 16:22 The Tiger, Life : Gainham’s Masterpiece 23:41 Debating Book Titles and Their Impact 26:33 Exploring the Novel’s Setting and Characters 28:23 Autobiographical Elements and Espionage 30:02 Complex Relationships and Character Analysis 39:38 Real-Life Inspirations and Historical Context 44:29 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes Title Fight! The Good, the Bad and Ugly of Spy Book Titles with Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest. (102) Jeremy’s twitter – @JeremyDuns Jeremy’s Website – Jeremy-Duns.com Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
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