Karla's Choice

by Nick Harkaway
Karla's Choice cover
Good Books rating 4.28
Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £22.00
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Technical
  • ID: 274
  • Added: 2025-09-07
  • Updated: 2025-10-14
  • ISBN: 9781405969840
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2024-10-24
  • Formats: 34
  • Reviews: 3

Karla's Choice unfolds in spring 1963, during a rare lull in the Cold War, with George Smiley having left the Circus to seek a peaceful life and repair his marriage. However, when a Russian agent defects under unusual circumstances and a man he was sent to kill disappears, Smiley is reluctantly pulled back for one last covert mission. His task: interview Susanna, a Hungarian émigré connected to the missing man, which leads him into a dangerous investigation that rekindles his conflict with his greatest enemy, Karla. This novel fills the narrative gap between The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, expertly evoking the atmosphere and characters of John le Carré's original works. Penned by Nick Harkaway, son of le Carré, the book blends intricate espionage, rich prose, and a complex cast to explore the shadows of Cold War espionage and the personal stakes for Smiley as he navigates a world of deception and danger.

Reviews
What Cathy Read Next... · 2024-11-18
engaging 4.10

Harkaway's novel cleverly fills the ten-year gap in Smiley's life with a thrilling Cold War espionage story that balances respect for the original series with fresh narrative energy.

The review from What Cathy Read Next... praises Nick Harkaway for his bold yet respectful approach in continuing the George Smiley saga. The author is credited with successfully navigating the challenge of writing within a beloved universe, capturing the tone and tension of the Cold War spy world. The story is appreciated for its engaging plot and character development, making it a compelling read for longtime fans and newcomers alike, highlighting Harkaway's skill in blending homage with originality.

Quick quotes

    Karla's Choice is Harkaway's attempt to give us that more Smiley, taking advantage of the ten year gap in Smiley's fictional life.

    A thrilling Cold War espionage story that respects the original series.

    Harkaway successfully balances homage with fresh narrative energy.

The Telegraph · Jake Kerridge · 2024-10-20
excellent 4.50

Jake Kerridge finds that Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job continuing his father's legacy, producing a note-perfect recreation of the Smiley milieu that is both captivating and respectful.

In his review for The Telegraph, Jake Kerridge commends Nick Harkaway for an exceptional continuation of John le Carré’s George Smiley series. Kerridge highlights the novel's success in capturing the subtle nuances and atmosphere of the original works, praising it as a 'note-perfect' tribute. The review emphasizes the novel’s ability to balance thrilling espionage with deep character exploration, making it a standout addition to the Cold War spy genre and a respectful extension of le Carré’s legacy.

Quick quotes

    Harkaway has done an extraordinarily good job with his father's legacy.

    A note-perfect recreation of the Smiley milieu.

    Both captivating and respectful, this novel is a standout addition to the Cold War spy genre.

Literary Review · D D Guttenplan · 2024-10-17
accomplished 4.25

The novel is a skillful homage that explores the origin story of Smiley's greatest enemy, Karla, with a tone that respects the original works while expanding the Cold War espionage universe.

D D Guttenplan appreciates 'Karla's Choice' for effectively capturing the atmosphere of John le Carré's original novels, focusing on the enigmatic figure of Karla, the head of the KGB's Thirteenth Directorate. The review highlights how Nick Harkaway, son of le Carré, delivers an immersive narrative that enriches the Cold War spy milieu without falling into mere imitation or pastiche. Guttenplan finds the novel a thoughtful extension that delves deeper into the spycraft and psychology of the era, offering fans a fresh yet familiar experience.

Quick quotes

    The jacket of Karla's Choice promises 'the origin story of [Smiley's] greatest enemy', yet Karla, future head of the KGB's Thirteenth Directorate, doesn't disappoint.

    Nick Harkaway delivers a narrative that respects the original works while expanding the Cold War espionage universe.

    An accomplished homage that skillfully captures the atmosphere of John le Carré’s originals.

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