As I’ve mentioned so often, my favourite writer is John le Carré, and I first properly became interested in his writing when the BBC broadcast their magnificent and almost perfect dramatisation of “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy…” I read the book, and then read it again – since then it has not only become my all-time best as well as favourite novel, but it has become a sort of handbook, a template, as well as an example of great writing. I have read all his other books, including “Silverview” which was published posthumously and about which I have mixed feelings. I have seen films based on his books (which in my opinion have rarely met the high bar set by the books), and very recently an excellent stage production of “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.”
Last night, having no on-going book to read, and not feeling in the mood for any of the new books I’d bought while away with my writing chums, I picked up “The Pigeon Tunnel” subtitled “Stories from my life“, and do you know, I think I’ve not read it before! How could this have happened? It was published in 2016, and I remember reading reviews, but somehow I never got a copy to actually read.
I am only a few pages in, and I am gripped and in awe. With his other books, they are so familiar to me that I almost absorb them, but this, fresh and new to me is startling. I mentioned yesterday about our writing group, and how we are becoming more honestly critical with each other (in a supportive, kindly way) and how this has made me more aware as a writer, and not just dashing down any old thing – I think it’s pushing me to be a better reader as well. I think being an e-book reader has made me lazy – too easy for my eyes to dash across the words because I’m gripped by the story, and in my gallop accidentally miss whole chunks!
The image of the pigeon tunnel is explained in the preface, but before it there is a context given in the introduction. I’m tempted to share the pigeon tunnel and its context, but I think that would spoil the enjoyment of anyone reading it for the first time. I don’t think sharing the blurb would spoil anything though, so here it is:
From his years serving in British Intelligence during the Cold War to a career as a writer, John le Carré has lived a unique life. In this, his first memoir, le Carré is as funny as he is incisive – reading into the events he witnesses the same moral ambiguity with which he imbues his novels. Whether he’s interviewing a German terrorist in her desert prison or watching Alec Guinness preparing for his role as George Smiley, this book invites us to think anew about events and people we believed we understood. Best of all, le Carré gives us a glimpse of a writer’s journey over more than six decades, and his own hunt for the human spark that has given so much life and heart to his fictional characters.
I have now discovered there is a film about it – but I’m not sure I can access it. However, if I do, I will share my thoughts here.
Lois Elsden 