Smiley's Circus: A Guide to the Secret World of John Lecarre

The first time I read John le Carre's novel 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', I had to make a chart to keep track of who was who. I didn't mind, because the intricacy of his world is part of its beauty. I *did* mind that I couldn't figure out what the spy jargon meant. I've now read the seven Circus novels multiple times, but instead of a chart I keep David Monaghan's fantastic guide next to me when I do. It's indispensable for the jargon definitions alone (but how did he find out what a "mailfist job" is?). More pleasurably, he identifies every character --even unnamed ones like "narcotics agent"-- and captures the personality of each in just a few sympathetic lines from hints sometimes spread out over several books. Monaghan maintains le Carre's own skeptical voice, treating all the information as if it were friendly but not completely reliable office gossip. For example, after noting that Ricki Tarr, though reckless, is nevertheless loyal and competent, Monaghan wonders almost sadly if the boy was hired back after the Haydon case. Going into great depth in the pages on George Smiley, he tries to sort out which crimes can be laid at Smiley's feet (Jerry Westerby's murder--probably) and which can't (Liz Gold's murder--probably). One sees that in le Carre people are largely viewpoints: "Mrs Pope Graham considers Norman to be sensitive but for Smiley he is a grubby little voyeur." Nevertheless facts are facts: Prideaux digs up his gun on Tuesday, not Sunday, no matter what else the novel may say. Readers sometimes complain about le Carre's overly complex plots, especially in the Circus novels. This guidebook can loosen the "very clever knots," but first-time Circus readers must beware. Any entry can contain a monstrous spoiler. Monaghan clearly loves le Carre's work. I do, too, at least through 1980. I doubt I would keep going back to it if not for the help of this meticulously crafted, thoughtful, and well-written book.

This is a genuinely amazing book. It lists and analyzes all the characters in the novels, gives a detailed history of the Circus, and provides absorbing commentary on who did what to whom in the books and what that says about Le Carre's most important themes. I've never seen anything like it, and that includes books about writers who have devoted followings like Conan Doyle or Tolkien. And Monaghan's book is lucid and readable as well. He really should update this to include "The Russia House" and "The Secret Pilgrim."