Podcast Summary: The Book Review – "What It's Like to Write a New John le Carré Novel"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Book Review
• Host/Author: The New York Times
• Episode: What It's Like to Write a New John le Carré Novel
• Release Date: November 8, 2024
• Guest: Nick Harkaway, author of Carla's Choice

1. Introduction to the Episode

Host: Gilbert Cruz
Guest: Nick Harkaway

Gilbert Cruz opens the episode by highlighting the significance of John le Carré’s works in the thriller genre, particularly focusing on the beloved character George Smiley. He introduces Nick Harkaway, a renowned science fiction author, who has undertaken the challenging task of continuing the legacy by writing a new George Smiley novel titled Carla's Choice.

2. Taking Up the Le Carré Torch

Gilbert Cruz (00:33):
"Nick Parkaway set out for himself. A writer of multiple well-received science fiction novels, Parkaway picked up the torch from Le Carre..."

Nick explains the motivation behind writing Carla's Choice, emphasizing the ten-year gap between le Carré's novels. This gap provided ample space to craft new stories within the George Smiley universe without merely filling in existing narratives.

Nick Harkaway (02:12):
"...enough space in that 10 years that you can tell new stories with new arcs, new joy and new sorrows and so on so that you feel you're working into a rich world rather than essentially just doing infill."

3. George Smiley’s Career and Carla's Choice

Gilbert Cruz (03:04):
"Can you just set up very briefly, where is Smiley at this point in his career?"

Nick delves into the complexities of George Smiley's career, noting inconsistencies in the continuity of le Carré's novels. He outlines Smiley’s rise within British Intelligence during the 1960s and his subsequent disillusionment leading to retirement, setting the stage for the events in Carla's Choice.

Nick Harkaway (04:00):
"...he is looking to reestablish his sense of who he is and why he does what he does."

4. Personal Connection and Legacy

Gilbert Cruz (07:06):
"You wrote in the afterword to your father's book, Silverview, that before he passed away, there was a moment when you were walking on Hampstead Heath and he asked you to, as you write, 'carry the flame'."

Nick shares the poignant moment his father, John le Carré, entrusted him with continuing the Smiley legacy. Initially resistant, Nick embraced the responsibility after a family discussion emphasized the importance of keeping his father’s work alive.

Nick Harkaway (07:26):
"...the implication of him saying, will you finish a book I leave unfinished? Is the belief that I was capable of writing into his world."

5. Crafting the Voice and Tone

Nick emphasizes the importance of maintaining the authentic voice and tone of George Smiley. He immersed himself in the original novels to internalize the character's essence, aiming for an instinctive rather than a conscious replication.

Nick Harkaway (11:33):
"I wanted to swallow the tone. I wanted to immerse myself in the tone. I wanted the act of writing Smiley to be instinctive rather than cognitive."

6. Character Analysis: George Smiley and Control

George Smiley vs. Modern Spies:
Nick contrasts George Smiley with modern fictional spies like James Bond and Jason Bourne, highlighting Smiley's depth, vulnerability, and methodical approach to espionage.

Nick Harkaway (13:56):
"Smiley himself is several things. First of all, he's the guy who has the ability to put the pieces of the broken world back together..."

Control – The Antagonist:
Discussion about the enigmatic character Control, the central antagonist in the Smiley universe, who embodies the moral ambiguities of espionage.

Nick Harkaway (24:09):
"Control is a real monster. He does terrible things... he should be inaccessible. He should be slightly imponderable."

7. Impact of Actor Portrayals

Nick reflects on how various actors’ portrayals of George Smiley, notably Alec Guinness and Gary Oldman, influenced his father’s depiction of the character and subsequently his own writing.

Nick Harkaway (17:01):
"...his dad saw Guinness do this extraordinary performance as Smiley overwhelmed his ability to hear the character."

He discusses the challenge of blending different interpretations to create a cohesive voice for Smiley in Carla's Choice.

8. Managing the Smiley Universe and Future Projects

Gilbert Cruz (31:11):
"Is that the actual name of the company or was that it?"

Nick explains the familial management of the John le Carré estate through John Le Carré Limited, overseen by his wife Clare. This includes handling film adaptations and future literary works.

Nick Harkaway (32:35):
"Before the review coverage... I have to say, yeah, I'd really like to. ... I have notes towards two more."

He expresses his intentions to continue writing within the Smiley universe, balancing it with his original works.

9. Nick’s Personal Experiences and Other Works

Nick shares anecdotes from his diverse career, including his stint as a production assistant on the 1995 film Hackers. He humorously recounts the challenges and surreal experiences of working on the film set.

Nick Harkaway (34:09):
"I made a lot of cups of coffee. I did a lot of photocopying... I remember going out to my car at three in the morning... I went straight back into the production office and went to sleep under the desk."

He also touches upon his ongoing projects outside the Smiley series, highlighting his passion for blending technology and human narratives.

10. Technology in Spy Fiction

Nick discusses the integral role of technology in spy narratives, paralleling the Cold War era's technological dynamics with today’s digital advancements. He emphasizes that technology is a constant influencer in human interactions, regardless of the era.

Nick Harkaway (36:07):
"...we are nothing if not our society is nothing if not the product of our interaction with our tools."

He elaborates on how he navigates the technological landscape of the 1960s to maintain narrative authenticity in Carla's Choice.

11. Conclusion and Future Directions

As the conversation wraps up, Nick expresses excitement about the positive reception of Carla's Choice and the possibility of future contributions to the Smiley series. He reflects on the delicate balance of honoring his father's legacy while carving out his own creative path.

Nick Harkaway (38:36):
"That is exactly my plan... I have notes towards another book."

Gilbert Cruz (39:12):
"Thank you for being on the Book Review podcast."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nick Harkaway (02:12):
  "...enough space in that 10 years that you can tell new stories with new arcs, new joy and new sorrows and so on..."

• Nick Harkaway (04:00):
  "...he is looking to reestablish his sense of who he is and why he does what he does."

• Nick Harkaway (07:26):
  "...the implication of him saying, will you finish a book I leave unfinished? Is the belief that I was capable of writing into his world."

• Nick Harkaway (11:33):
  "I wanted to swallow the tone. I wanted to immerse myself in the tone..."

• Nick Harkaway (13:56):
  "Smiley himself is several things. First of all, he's the guy who has the ability to put the pieces of the broken world back together..."

• Nick Harkaway (17:01):
  "...his dad saw Guinness do this extraordinary performance as Smiley overwhelmed his ability to hear the character."

• Nick Harkaway (24:09):
  "Control is a real monster. He does terrible things... he should be inaccessible. He should be slightly imponderable."

• Nick Harkaway (36:07):
  "...we are nothing if not our society is nothing if not the product of our interaction with our tools."

Key Takeaways

1. Legacy and Continuity: Nick Harkaway embraces the responsibility of continuing John le Carré’s legacy, navigating the complexities of maintaining character continuity while infusing his unique narrative style.

2. Character Depth: The discussion highlights George Smiley’s nuanced characterization as a thoughtful, vulnerable spy, contrasting with more action-oriented fictional spies.

3. Personal Connection: Nick’s relationship with his father deeply influences his approach to writing within the Smiley universe, balancing personal feelings with professional responsibilities.

4. Technological Influence: Technology remains a pivotal element in spy fiction, shaping narratives across different eras, from the Cold War to the digital age.

5. Future Endeavors: Nick plans to continue contributing to the Smiley series while also pursuing his original projects, striving to honor his father’s work while establishing his own literary voice.

This episode offers a profound exploration of literary legacy, character development, and the intricate balance between honoring past creations and forging new narratives. Nick Harkaway's insights provide a unique perspective on continuing a beloved series while navigating personal and professional landscapes.