Smiley's Circus by David Monaghan - 1986

Published by Orbis, London; 1986. 8vo. 205pp. First edition, first impression. Condition: Fine/Fine.

Bound in original binding with title to the spine. The binding is square and tight and in excellent condition, with a hint of bumping to the spine ends and one small indent to the rear board. Inside, the pages are clean and bright and free from signs of wear or blemishes.

The book is housed in its original first issue dust jacket, which is in equally smart condition. It is vibrant and smart, with just a small indent to the rear, corresponding to that on he binding.

In all, this is a beautiful example of Monaghan's analysis of le Carré's seven circus novels, in which he digs deep into the psychology and motives behind le Carré's work. He follows its history from the end of World War I to the defection of Smiley's arch-nemesis Karla of the Thirteenth Directorate of Moscow Centre in the late 1970s. It provides the inside story of this most intricate of espionage networks.