As with [b:Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy|2541343|Dame, König, As, Spion Roman|John le Carré|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|2491780] I first heard the radio drama of this one. Recently re-dramatised with a new cast, the differences between the 2 dramas and the book interested me, so I picked it up and dived right in.

the story is of course gripping, and le Carré plays Smily and karla to perfection. Age creeps up on everyone, and George has never seemed more Human than in this book, I think.

It's weird contrasting the dramas, too - the new one is very much In Smiley's head, taking words from other characters and the narrative and fitting them in so we are in his mind as much as we can be. Ann is used almost as Smiley's inner voice.

Contrast this with the old drama where George is played very quietly and powerfully by Hepton and where the demons are not so easily in evidence, and you have 2 very different interpretations of a most excellent work. I was leaning toward at least tolerating the newer version, until they slapped a scene after the fateful "Yes. Yes, well I suppose I did." where George, Peter and Mendel are having an after-action drink. This strikes me as such an unnecessary pretentious way of ending a masterpiece, and when I eventually get around to watching the TV version made so long ago I only hope it ends the way it's supposed to.