Spy vs. Spy: The Novels of John Le Carre Quiz

Answer: David Cornwell

David Cornwell, according to the biographical blurbs in his books, was born in 1931. He was educated in Berne and at Oxford University, and worked for the British Foreign Service. It is widely believed that during this time, Cornwell was actually working for the British espionage service.

He published his books under a pseudonym since he was still employed by the Foreign Service when his first book was released, and they would not permit him to use his real name. George Smiley is his most famous character, based partly on Vivian Green, an Oxford don. Peter Wright is a former British Secret Service agent who wrote an expose of the service, called "Spycatcher".

Answer: A Call for the Dead

"A Call for the Dead" was published in 1961. It is more of a murder mystery than an espionage novel. George Smiley, Le Carre's multi-faceted hero, makes his debut in this novel. "A Call for the Dead" was followed by "A Murder of Quality", and then by "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold", in 1963. Le Carre made his reputation with his third novel, one of many which was also made into a film.

Answer: The Russia House

"The Search for Karla" trilogy revolves around George Smiley's search for a "mole", a highly-placed British agent who is secretly working for the Soviet Union. The trilogy was written after the real-life affair of Kim Philby, a British diplomat and secret agent, who was actually a high-ranking officer in the KGB. According to the Wikepedia article on John Le Carre, Philby betrayed Le Carre while Le Carre was serving with M16 in Germany.

Answer: He does not favor either England or Russia, but describes the loyalty a person may have to another, real, person.

In a number of his novels, including "A Perfect Spy", "Absolute Friends" and "The Russia House", Le Carre's protagonists are motivated more by their devotion to an old friend, or to a woman,rather than by loyalty to a cause or dogma. Barley Blair, the hero of "The Russia House", states this quite clearly: "Their flags were nothing to him.

They could wave in any wind. . . .He knew the battle he had to win and who he had to win it for. He knew the sacrifice he was prepared to make".

Answer: A Perfect Spy

Le Carre's eleventh novel, "A Perfect Spy", was published in 1986. Without a doubt, it is Le Carre's most autobiographical work. Not only does the basic outline of Le Carre's life parallel that of Magnus Pym, the book's hero, but Pym's father is clearly inspired by Le Carre's own, Ronald Cornwell. Ron Cronwell was a suave con-man and swindler - a convicted felon, just like Rick Pym.

In a 1986 interview with Joseph Leylveld in the "New York Times Magazine", Le Carre talks about his remarkable father. On one occasion, he convinced a Swiss railroad driver to run a private train to a skiing lodge where his son was staying. Tellingly, this was the first novel that Le Carre did not submit for government approval.

Answer: The Little Drummer Girl

"The Little Drummer Girl" tells the story of Charlie, a struggling English actress, who is recruited by the Mosad in order to help them capture a Palestinian terrorist. In a wider sense, the book examines the way a secret service might exploit an innocent individual for the "greater good". This is one of the many Le Carre novels made into a film, with Diane Keaton in the leading role.

Answer: The Constant Gardener

"The Constant Gardener" was published in 2001, and the movie version came out in 2005. In this novel, Justin Quayle, a British diplomat serving in Kenya, attempts to find the truth behind the rape and murder of his wife, Tess. What he uncovers are terrible abuses by a major pharmaceutical company, and the powers that protect it.

Answer: The Tailor of Panama

"The Tailor of Panama", published in 1996, is one of Le Carre's post Cold War novels, the story of Pendel, the ex-patriat English tailor who has made a name for himself in Panama. Blackmailed by Andrew Osnard, Pendel attempts to save himself by fabricating a revolution.

Answer: Translator.

Bruno Salvador is a master translator, or interpreter, with absolutely no experience in espionage. He is asked to take part in a secret conference because of his linguistic ability. Jerry Westerby, in "The Honorable Schoolboy", was a journalist, and Barley Blair, of "The Russia House", was a publisher. Le Carre's novels are peopled with too many diplomats to enumerate.

Answer: Salman Rushdie.

Salman Rushdie, John Le Carre and Christopher Hitchens carried out a lively correspondence in the British newspaper "The Guardian" in 1997 regarding free speech and religious sensitivities. Le Carre first wrote an article about Rushdie in the "Guardian" in 1989, following the "fatwah" on Rushdie's life, due to his publication of "The Satanic Verses".

In this original article, Le Carre is not entirely sympathetic to his fellow-writer's plight. In 1997 the "The New York Times" accused Le Carre of anti-Semitism in the light of his publication of "The Little Drummer Girl". Rushdie then wrote to the "Guardian", "It would be gracious if he (Le Carre) were to admit that he understands the nature of the Thought Police . . ." Rushdie and Le Carre continued to exchange barbs over some time, and Christopher Hitchins put in a word or two.

Their correspondence can be read at: wwwrjgeib.com/thought/le-carre-vs-rushdie