Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right
16 subscribers
Checked 3d ago
Added three years ago
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.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!
Go offline with the Player FM app!
Podcasts Worth a Listen
SPONSORED
V
Via Podcast


1 The Southwest’s Wildest Outdoor Art: From Lightning Fields to Sun Tunnels 30:55
30:55
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked30:55
A secret field that summons lightning. A massive spiral that disappears into a salt lake. A celestial observatory carved into a volcano. Meet the wild—and sometimes explosive—world of land art, where artists craft masterpieces with dynamite and bulldozers. In our Season 2 premiere, guest Dylan Thuras, cofounder of Atlas Obscura, takes us off road and into the minds of the artists who literally reshaped parts of the Southwest. These works aren’t meant to be easy to reach—or to explain—but they just might change how you see the world. Land art you’ll visit in this episode: - Double Negative and City by Michael Heizer (Garden Valley, Nevada) - Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson (Great Salt Lake, Utah) - Sun Tunnels by Nancy Holt (Great Basin Desert, Utah) - Lightning Field by Walter De Maria (Catron County, New Mexico) - Roden Crater by James Turrell (Painted Desert, Arizona) Via Podcast is a production of AAA Mountain West Group.…
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels
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
64 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
64 episodes
All episodes
×T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

In this mini episode, Mark Meynell returns to explain just what that whole High Church/Low Church concept discussed in A Murder of Quality is about. Mark explains the historical and social distinctions between the two, detailing how Anglicanism and its relationship with non-conformist denominations shaped British society and class systems over time. He also touches upon how these religious affiliations have evolved and their current status in secular Britain. It doesn’t get any more exciting than this! – Mark’s website – Mark’s bookshop with le Carré books on sale – Mark’s podcast Triptych Conversations Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre Explored – Part 2 44:26
44:26
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked44:26
In the latest episode of the le Carré Cast, host Jeff continues his discussion with Mark Meynell about the themes and narrative intricacies of John le Carré’s A Legacy of Spies . The conversation explores how le Carré revisits and deconstructs the world and characters he created in The Spy Who Came in From the Cold , revealing the bleak and ultimately futile nature of the spy operations depicted. They discuss the nuanced portrayal of characters like George Smiley, the overarching themes of distrust and ambiguity, and the broader implications of these themes in today’s sociopolitical climate. Additionally, they consider the potential challenges and approaches for an upcoming TV adaptation of le Carré’s works. All that and much more in this episode. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:36 Deflating the Victories 01:35 Questioning the Worth 02:43 Revisiting Characters and Plots 04:20 The Ruthlessness of Control 05:48 Tulip’s Exfiltration 13:20 Legacy and Conspiracies 21:13 The Haunting Legacy of Fathers 22:12 Meeting David Cornwell: A Personal Experience 23:18 The Ruthlessness of Smiley 27:06 Margaret Thatcher and the IRA 30:42 The Upcoming TV Show: Legacy of Spies 33:15 The Complexity of le Carre’s Characters 39:27 Final Thoughts and Future Projects 41:15 Podcast Promotions and Farewell – Mark’s website – The Met Police undercover officers scandal – Mark’s bookshop with le Carré books on sale – Mark’s podcast Triptych Conversations Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre Explored – Part 1 45:30
45:30
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked45:30
In this episode of the le Carré Cast, host Jeff speaks with Mark Meynell, a freelance writer and author of ten non-fiction books, about his transition to writing fiction and his recent book, ‘A Wilderness of Mirrors.’ The discussion covers Mark’s discovery of John le Carré’s works, particularly A Legacy of Spies. They delve into the themes of espionage, secrecy, and the moral complexities of the Cold War as portrayed in le Carré’s novels. The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of le Carré’s recurring characters and broader societal issues such as public inquiries and truth-telling. All that and much more in this episode. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:53 Discovering le Carré 04:01 Legacy of Spies Discussion 07:11 Revisiting the Cold War 20:03 Smiley’s Character Analysis 21:27 The Puppet Master: Smiley’s Control 21:48 Lady Ann and Poor George 22:20 Smiley’s Genius and Legacy 23:58 The Corrosive Effect of Secrecy 25:40 The Anti-Bond: Smiley’s Disillusionment 26:07 The Untrustworthy Institutions 28:20 The British Way of Sweeping Under the Rug 30:53 Truth Telling and Reconciliation 33:12 The Complexity of Forgiveness 38:23 The Role of Female Characters 42:12 Leamas and His Network 43:28 Cliffhanger and Next Episode Teaser – Mark’s website – The Met Police undercover officers scandal – Mark’s bookshop with le Carré books on sale – Mark’s podcast Triptych Conversations Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Interview – Nick Harkaway on Upcoming le Carre Projects 39:57
39:57
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked39:57
In part two of my discussion with Sleeper Beach novelist Nick Harkaway we discuss the latest in le Carré news. Nick talks about the upcoming adaptation of one of his novels into an Amason Prime show Kill Jackie , season 2 of The Night Manager and an update about the new comic series, The Circus: Losing Control. Finally, we of course chat about the new Smiley series. Will we see The Young George Smiley Chronicles? Plus, the history of Finland in World War 2? All that and much more in this episode. Nick’s website – https://nickharkaway.com/ Nick’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harkaway/ Buy Titanium Noir here . Buy Sleeper Beach here . The Blackwell’s Link The le Carré Sub-reddit is here . The le Carré Facebook page is here . More on The Blind Giant here . Learn about when John le Carré met Rex Stout here . Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Episode image from Font generator Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

In this episode I am pleased to welcome back novelist Nick Harkaway. We discuss his latest work, Sleeper Beach , the second in his Titanium Noir series of futuristic mysteries. We talk about his earlier nonfiction book The Blind Giant , how we should be using technologies, and what does it mean when tech companies turn un-Evil. Plus, get your elevator pitch on why you should read Sleeper Beach . All that and much more in this episode. Nick’s website – https://nickharkaway.com/ Nick’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harkaway/ Buy Titanium Noir here . Buy Sleeper Beach here . The Blackwell’s Link The le Carré Sub-reddit is here . The le Carré Facebook page is here . More on The Blind Giant here . Learn about when John le Carré met Rex Stout here . Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

In this episode I welcome Tod Hoffman, author of Le Carré Landscape , to the show. Tod is a former Canadian Intelligence Officer and used that knowledge to write his insightful book looking at le Carré’s work. We discuss le Carré’s use of interrogation in his novels, slow moving bureaucracy versus moving quickly and his decision to leave the service. Plus the long shadow of Kim Philby on fiction and reality. All that and much more in this episode. Tod’s book Le Carré’s Landscape is here . Tod’s book The Spy Within: Larry Chin and China’s Penetration of the CIA is here . Tod’s book Al Qaeda Declares War: The African Embassy Bombings and America’s Search for Justice is here . Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Legacy of Spies TV series – Emergency Podcast 41:16
41:16
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked41:16
In this episode we break down the news of a new George Smiley TV series – Legacy of Spies . I have TV and Film expert Matthew Bradford on to talk through what we know and might expect to come. We talk about the long gestating project, producers, and casting. All that and much more in this episode. Matthew’s interview with Graham Yost in which he talks about his love of le Carré. Tom and Greg supercut . Matthew on 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 1 to 10 40:27
40:27
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked40:27
In this episode we are celebrating 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book. For numbers one to ten I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that iconic cover, opening line and dig into the mystery of who the novel was dedicated to. All that and much more in this episode. Le Carré’s First Line is here . My interview with Richard Hutt on his le Carré map is here . Matthew on 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

In this episode I speak to author Ben H. Winters about his Crime Reads article “In Praise of Reading Le Carré’s Entire Oeuvre In Order”. We talk about the joys of reading an author’s work from start to finish, the connection between author and reader as well as The Looking Glass War as The Bad News Bears. All that and much more in this episode. P.S. Yes, there was a SNL skit that contemplated “ What if Eleanor Roosevelt could fiy ?” Ben’s article on reading John le Carré is here . Ben’s website is here . Ben’s latest book Big Time is here . Ben’s latest Audible original, Hitchhikers is here . Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part Two 42:19
42:19
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked42:19
In 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Karla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway Explored Part One 46:15
46:15
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked46:15
In 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…
T
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…
T
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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 2 43:05
43:05
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked43:05
In 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Absolute Friends by John le Carré Explored Part 1 45:25
45:25
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked45:25
In 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…
T
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
55:44
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked55:44
Donate 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Interview – Duane & Meredith Swierczynski on #TeamEvie 14:04
14:04
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked14:04
Donate 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 Interview – Nick Harkaway on Karla’s Choice 1:12:30
1:12:30
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked1:12:30
Donate 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 3 46:43
46:43
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked46:43
In 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…
T
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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré Explored Part 1 41:17
41:17
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked41:17
In 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 After le Carré: Jonathan Ray on Sarah Gainham 56:21
56:21
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked56:21
Part 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 2 37:10
37:10
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked37:10
Part 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 1 46:28
46:28
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked46:28
Discovering 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…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 In Depth with Shaun McKenna: Adapting John le Carré for Radio 46:50
46:50
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked46:50
In this episode of The le Carré Cast, I interview acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Shaun McKenna. Sean discusses his journey into writing, his collaboration process for bringing le Carré’s complex characters to life on BBC Radio 4, and the challenges of adapting intricate novels for audio. about his adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Looking Glass War while highlighting Shaun’s eclectic career, including his involvement in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ musical. Sean also shares insights on the enduring appeal of audio drama in the UK and his current and upcoming projects. Our previous look at The Smiley Radio Dramas can be found here – Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 00:46 Meet Shaun McKenna: The Adaptation Maestro 02:37 Shaun’s Journey into Audio Drama 04:13 The Smiley Radio Dramas: A Deep Dive 06:13 Challenges and Triumphs in Adaptation 08:39 The Art of Radio Drama 16:06 Capturing the Essence of le Carré 23:56 The Joys and Challenges of Radio Drama 26:11 The Decline of Radio Drama in the UK 28:48 A Writer’s Journey: From Actor to Adaptation Specialist 33:12 The Legacy of John le Carré’s Smiley Series 38:56 Reviving The Lord of the Rings Musical 41:20 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts Shaun McKenna’s Website – ShaunMcKenna.me The Lord of the Rings World Tour The Lord of the Rings in Chicago The Forsyte Saga Homefront Radio Drama Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 A Most Wanted Man by John le Carré Explored Part 2 38:26
38:26
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked38:26
In this episode we continue our look at John le Carré’s 2008 novel, A Most Wanted Man . I’m pleased to welcome back poet Clarissa Aykroyd to the show. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here . We talk about parallels between the novel’s characters and another famous spy duo, Jackson Lamb and Catherine Standish from Mick Herron’s ‘Slough House’ series. The conversation highlights the novel’s exploration of complex characters, long-term espionage strategies, and critiques of American actions post-9/11. We also discuss the film adaptation’s strengths and weaknesses, particularly praising its ending and Hoffman’s portrayal of the main character. Additionally, we speculate about a new TV adaptation of the novel for German television and its potential impact. The episode closes with a personal anecdote from Clarissa related to the novel. All that and more in this episode. Ernst Barlach Haus, the museum Clarissa mentioned from the book – https://www.barlach-haus.de/ Clarissa’s Website – https://thestoneandthestar.blogspot.com/ Clarissa’s Twitter – https://x.com/stoneandthestar Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 A Most Wanted Man by John le Carré Explored Part 1 44:51
44:51
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked44:51
In this episode we look at John le Carré’s 2008 novel, A Most Wanted Man . I’m pleased to welcome poet Clarissa Aykroyd to the show. We talk through the motivations of the various players, whether le Carré succeeded at creating fully realized characters and le Carré’s difficult writing women. All that and more in this episode. Clarissa’s Website – https://thestoneandthestar.blogspot.com/ Clarissa’s Twitter – https://x.com/stoneandthestar Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

In this episode of the Le Carré Cast, Jeff interviews British historian Dominic Sandbrook. They delve into Sandbrook’s introduction to John le Carré’s works, particularly Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy , and discuss the author’s literary impact and historical context. The conversation covers le Carré’s influence during Britain’s 1970s cultural and political landscape, along with Sandbrook’s personal exploration and critique of le Carré’s novels. The episode also highlights Harold Wilson and Smiley, le Carré and Margaret Thatcher, and just how much should we know about our literary heroes. Plus, a le Carré Assassin’s Creed and Star Wars’ Andor ? 00:00 Introduction to the le Carré Cast 01:16 Dominic’s First Encounter with le Carré 02:49 The Impact of Le Carré’s Works 05:10 The 50th Anniversary of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 13:38 Harold Wilson and George Smiley: A Comparison 17:49 The Dark Mood of 1970s Britain 20:54 Le Carré’s Literary Mastery 26:30 Critique of Le Carré’s Writing Style 28:16 Le Carré and Margaret Thatcher: An Unlikely Admiration 30:07 The Complexity of Le Carré’s Political Views 31:09 Balancing Biography and Privacy 34:59 Le Carré’s Literary Legacy 36:27 Le Carré in Popular Culture 39:45 The Future of Le Carré’s Works 42:10 Lightning Round: Assassin’s Creed and Andor 45:40 Closing Remarks and Podcast Recommendations Dominic’s website – https://dominicsandbrook.com/ Dominic’s Twitter – https://x.com/dcsandbrook The Rest is History club – https://therestishistory.supportingcast.fm/ Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers – Part 3 38:24
38:24
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked38:24
I’m excited to welcome back Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist for the epic conclusion of our look at the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this third and final part we dig into The Honourable Schoolboy , Smiley’s People and The Secret Pilgrim . The best way to find a corpse, how stories differ when told by a master spy versus a mediocre spy, and if any radio producers are listening, Mac is waiting by the phone to adapt Legacy of Spies . All that and more in this episode. Mac’s website – https://www.macrogers.org/ Mac’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/macwrites Gideon Media, the audio production company Mac is a part of – https://www.gideon-media.com/ Life/After – https://www.goldhawkproductions.com/lifeafter The movie First Time Caller – https://tubitv.com/movies/100014730/first-time-caller The George Smiley Audio Dramas on the BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/smiley-season/ On Audible – https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Complete-George-Smiley-Radio-Dramas-Audiobook/B01DE1KAYC Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
T
The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

1 The BBC George Smiley Radio Dramas with Mac Rogers – Part 2 39:08
39:08
Play Later
Play Later
Lists
Like
Liked39:08
I’m excited to welcome back Mac Rogers, playwright and audio dramatist to continue to discuss the BBC George Smiley radio dramas. In this second of three parts we dig into some of the biggest of le Carré’s novels – The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Plus we discuss The Lookingglass War. We also talk the star power this audio series brought, Brian Cox as Alec Leamas pre-Succession, and the trickiness of adapting Tinker Tailor for an audio drama. All that and more in this episode. Mac’s website – https://www.macrogers.org/ Mac’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/macwrites Gideon Media, the audio production company Mac is a part of – https://www.gideon-media.com/ Life/After – https://www.goldhawkproductions.com/lifeafter The movie First Time Caller – https://tubitv.com/movies/100014730/first-time-caller The George Smiley Audio Dramas on the BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/smiley-season/ On Audible – https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Complete-George-Smiley-Radio-Dramas-Audiobook/B01DE1KAYC Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed…
Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.