Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, SpyTinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Score Classic
What it's about
George Smiley, a quiet, overweight spy forced into retirement, is brought back in secret because there's a Soviet mole at the very top of British intelligence. One of four senior men, whom Smiley's old chief code-named Tinker, Tailor, Soldier and Poorman, has been working for Moscow for years. Smiley must work out which one, without anyone knowing he's looking.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 10 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and is often called the greatest spy novel ever written. It's slow, smart and full of betrayal.
You'll love it if you liked
Smiley's People
The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
The Day of the JackalGood to know
It's complex, told through interviews and files, and takes concentration. The 1979 BBC series and the 2011 film are both excellent.
By the numbers
- Readers56 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller75 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #85 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #273 of the 762 classics we rank
- #885 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by John le Carré
The Spy Who Came in From the ColdSmiley's People
A Perfect Spy
The Honourable SchoolboyIf you like this, read next
The Godfather
The Pillars of the Earth
In Cold Blood
Rebecca
Crime and Punishment
The Name of the RoseExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy worth reading?
Yes. It spent 10 weeks at #1 on the New York Times list and is often called the greatest spy novel ever written. It ranks #885 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy about?
George Smiley, a quiet, overweight spy forced into retirement, is brought back in secret because there's a Soviet mole at the very top of British intelligence. One of four senior men, whom Smiley's old chief code-named Tinker, Tailor, Soldier and Poorman, has been working for Moscow for years. Smiley must work out which one, without anyone knowing he's looking.
How long does it take to read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy?
About 10 hours (381 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy?
If you liked it, try Smiley's People by John le Carré, The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre or The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth.