New Le Carré Novel Sets George Smiley in 1965 California
Nick Harkaway’s ‘The Taper Man’ returns to the Cold War era, contrasting British caution with American aggression.
By Victoria Hayes ·
British readers received “The Taper Man” this week, while U.S. customers can buy the book from Viking on Nov. 17. The novel marks the second time Nick Harkaway has written into the universe created by his late father, John le Carré, after releasing “Karla’s Choice” in 2024.
The story follows George Smiley, the head of the fictional British intelligence agency known as the Circus, into the United States in 1965. Smiley travels to California to track a Soviet agent. The plot positions the character against The Cousins, a fictionalized version of the CIA.
Harkaway describes the 1965 setting as a mirror for the present day. He told The Associated Press that the current global situation is “weirdly the same in some slightly alarming ways” and “weirdly different in some alarming ways.” The narrative highlights the cultural friction between the two nations.
The title refers to a deep-cover agent left behind after a spy ring is busted. This character waits for instructions while the main operation collapses. The book was set in 1965, two years after the events of le Carré’s breakthrough novel, “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.”
Harkaway, whose real name is Nicholas Cornwell, grew up hearing Smiley’s voice. His father read passages from works in progress aloud to the children. Harkaway said he received “90 minutes, 2 hours a day” of Smiley dialogue while acquiring language as a child. He writes in a small office in north London, sitting in his father’s “very uncomfortable” chair.
The novel contrasts the passive, listening style of British intelligence with the aggressive approach of The Cousins. Harkaway notes that the American agents are “warriors in this Cold War, not shadows.” This perspective aligns with le Carré’s later criticism of U.S. foreign policy.
The book features returning characters from the original series, including the spy chief Control. It also expands the role of Roy Bland, a left-wing firebrand who appeared in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” Harkaway said he benefited from his father’s habit of giving every character an interior life.
Edward Kirke, Harkaway’s editor at Viking, described the book as “profoundly intelligent” with “beautiful moral murkiness.” Harkaway said he expects to write “at least one more” Smiley book set in the 1960s. He also noted that family members are having “internal discussions” about inviting other writers to continue the series.
