Knowing this was book that was so popular it enabled le Carré to turn to writing full-time I thought maybe this would be the one to have a happy ending, a clear and clean victory. You know, for a change. But that wouldn't have been the clear-eyed authenticity people believed they found in his novels, would it?

I was tempted to go back to Call For the Dead and see if there was anything relevant I had missed there. But it is too soon and for now I hold to my belief that those decisions were made retrospectively. If I ever do reread it I am sure the names will remind me to be alert.

On The Spy Who Came in From the Cold itself? - that had to have been on purpose, surely. too bad of a mistake otherwise - could it be? is that what they are doing? surely not! - and it wasn't; it was worse

So I can't really blame Leamas. He did his best.