Book
The Honourable Schoolboy
First published 1977
After the mole's exposure, George Smiley becomes temporary chief of the Circus and tries to rebuild its credibility by finding a financial trail connected to Soviet intelligence. Journalist and occasional agent Jerry Westerby is sent to Hong Kong to follow the money through banks, shipping interests and a powerful Chinese family.
Westerby's reporting draws him into the final years of the Vietnam War and into a relationship that conflicts with the operation's demands. Smiley's attempt to recover institutional power becomes another example of intelligence services sacrificing individuals to strategic alliances.
Historical Periods
More from this period
5 more top-rated novels about Vietnam War
Ranked by rating and voting volume; books already shown on this page are omitted.
More from this period
3 more top-rated novels about Cold War Hong Kong
Ranked by rating and voting volume; books already shown on this page are omitted.
More by the author
Other books by John le Carré
Discover more
Authors similar to John le Carré
Recommended from shared genres and periods.
Len Deighton
27 books
Graham Greene
17 books
Frederick Forsyth
8 books
William Boyd
20 books
Ken Follett
16 books