Book Group: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre

A modern classic, le Carre’s 1974 novel is the first outing for spymaster George Smiley in his attempts to outwit Karla, the head of Soviet intelligence. At the start of the novel, Smiley has been forced into retirement after the failure of an operation, but he’s brought back into service in order to locate a mole bringing the Circus into disrepute. A sophisticated thriller full of social commentary this is also a novel that paints a vivid picture of 1970s London and speaks to anxieties about British decline after the Second World War.

The London Archives Book Group, an online discussion group, meets monthly and welcomes all even if you haven’t read the book - although spoilers may arise! We have a broad remit, covering fiction and non-fiction for all periods in London history. Each session focuses on a different book and includes an online presentation of original archive material to enrich the discussion.