THE SECRET PILGRIM

Near the end of his own career as a cold-war spy, the narrator invites his mentor, George Smiley, to address his students as they complete their spy training. Seeing Smiley again evokes for him a series of memories, some involving Smiley, all marvelously written vintage le Carré. Loosely linked stories may not have the drive of a coherent long-form narrative, but the device offers different pleasures, allowing for reflection on how the service has changed since Smiley’s day, making room for narrative gems that don’t fit in a novel but are far too good to waste. Michael Jayston could not be better, giving a wry, elegant wide-ranging performance that brings Smiley, Toby Esterhazy, and many other old friends from the Smiley novels back to vivid life. B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2012]