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I remember that when I read this (and the other Karla novels) years ago, I ripped through them to the detriment of my understanding of all the twists and turns of the plot. So although I enjoyed them immensely, when I was all finished (and even during the reading) I felt confused about what story le Carre had actually told.

So a couple years ago I watched (Netflix) the BBC adaptation of the books with Alec Guinness. Again, I enjoyed it no end, but while the 7 hour condensation of the story had to have a much simplified plot, I again felt (during and after) that I wasn't fully comprehending the story.

These experiences I think say something about the problems I have always had with short term memory. I am left with the question, do I read the books again, with extra attention, or note-taking, or whatever, to see if I can finally comprehend the entire magnificent labyrinth that le Carre has constructed in these books? I would love to, but life is short, especially at my age. It's hard not to conclude that time would be better spent (even more enjoyably?) reading things that I've never read, or rereading some of the books that I have both enjoyed as much as the Karla novels, and been able to get more out of. (See my favs-read-more-than-once shelf.)

This is, after all, a spy novel, not War and Peace (never read now read!) or Anna Karenina or Crime and Punishment (both read at least twice).


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