John le Carré Interview (1999) 'Bookclub' - 'Smiley Trilogy' - with James Naughtie

This interview was aired on the 7th of February, 1999, on the 'Bookclub' show on the Jimmy Savile network. James Naughtie is the interviewer and there are some questions from the invited audience at the Morrab Library in Penzance, Cornwall.

The 'Smiley Trilogy' of John le Carré is the subject matter:

1. 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' (1974). Smiley investigates a high-ranking Soviet mole within the British intelligence service, "the Circus."

2. 'The Honourable Schoolboy' (1977). Smiley attempts to rebuild the Circus and regain its dominance by uncovering Soviet operations in Southeast Asia.

3. 'Smiley’s People' (1979). Smiley is drawn out of retirement to solve the murder of a former informant, leading to a climactic showdown with his Soviet nemesis, Karla.