I'm loving John Le Carré's book. There is something about a good spy thriller that just makes me excited to read it. I need to read them all.

Second installation of Smiley's adventure! They got rid of the mole but reputation of the Secret Service was on the floor. Now it was up to Smiley to find what Moscow was hiding and call it even,

John Le Carre and Simon Vance are an unbeatable pair. I read all of Le Carre's books as they were published and plan a reread. Wouldn't it be heaven if they were all available as audiobooks with a top reader like Vance! Oh, wait they are!

I was thrilled to listen to “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” by John Le Carre and then, lo and behold, NetGalley also approved me to listen to Le Carre’s Smiley sequel “The Honourable Schoolboy.” I marinated in the George Smiley books as a young, voracious reader just out of college with my English Literature degree. It was easy to see that Le Carre wrote at an elevated level compared to most authors and it was a treat not only to follow the suspense/mystery of the late Cold War espionage tales but the sheer delight in reading beautifully constructed sentences and paragraphs. And now as an elder statesman to return to these stories with the added joy of listening to a master audio performer Simon Vance!
I think I’ll give this…hmmm…5 stars.

This is a common review for both Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Honourable Schoolboy. I read the books years ago and I think that Le Carrè was a master storyteller delivering complex and intriguing novel.
As it happened with books I read and love the audiobooks added layers and the voice of Smiley will always be the one of the narrator. A voice that changed some of my ideas on Smiley and I enjoyed.
Well done, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Honourable Schoolboy by John Le Carré and narrated by Simon Vance is a brilliant audiobook and the narration is utterly spectacular! What a fantastic performance!

A stunning continuation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, I am really getting into the genre of intrigue and espionage thanks to this author. Highly compelling and intricate with everything you could ask for. Highly recommend

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, John Le Carré and narrator Simon Vance for this ALC. My review is left vountarily and all opinions are my own

George Smiley may have uncovered a Soviet mole but grave damage has been done to the the British Intelligence Agency known as the Circus.. Now, Smiley must reconstruct an intelligence service in order to run a successful offensive espionage operation to save the service before it is dismantled by the government.

If you have read anything by Le Carre you do not need me to tell you that he is a writer of unparalleled ability. Carrying on from the events in his previous book, Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Le Carre weaves together multiple full storylines and subplots. And while the story is masterfully written, the real strength here is in the characterizations. Whether it be a major protagonist or a minor player, every one of them serves a purpose in the story, and all are superbly drawn.

Having read The Honourable Schoolboy many years ago I was eager to revisit it as an audiobook. While this novel is one of Le Carre’s longer works (and I’ll admit I did struggle with that in the written version), I found myself captivated by Simon Vance’s narration, and the chapters just flew by. English public school, Australian and Chinese to name just a few, Mr. Vance’s renderings of the numerous characters are individualized, realistic and add a great deal of complexity and depth to the story.

In short, this is not just an excellent spy tale, it is an excellent piece of writing. The audio version is wonderfully done and I cannot recommend it enough.

This was a fantastic version of the classic story. Having read the book several times over the year, listening to it on audiobook was a great new way to experience Le Carre's masterpiece.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in audiobook format.

In The Honourable Schoolboy, John Le Carré masterfully continues the intricate saga of George Smiley, the quintessential British intelligence officer. This audiobook, narrated by the talented Simon Vance, brings to life the shadowy world of espionage with a richness that only Le Carré can conjure.

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the story picks up after the events of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. George Smiley, now at the helm of the British Secret Service (the Circus), is determined to rebuild the agency’s shattered reputation. His mission: to outmaneuver his Soviet counterpart, Karla. Enter Jerry Westerby, the “Honourable Schoolboy,” a journalist-turned-spy dispatched to the Far East. Westerby’s journey through Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Vietnam is a thrilling blend of danger, deception, and moral ambiguity.

Le Carré’s characters are deeply human, each grappling with their own demons. Smiley’s quiet determination contrasts sharply with Westerby’s reckless bravery, creating a dynamic interplay that drives the narrative forward. The supporting cast, from the enigmatic Karla to the various operatives and informants, adds layers of complexity and intrigue.

Simon Vance’s narration is nothing short of spectacular. His ability to differentiate characters through subtle changes in tone and accent enhances the listening experience. Vance captures the essence of Le Carré’s prose, delivering each line with the perfect balance of tension and emotion. His portrayal of Smiley is particularly noteworthy, embodying the character’s quiet strength and relentless pursuit of justice.

The Honourable Schoolboy delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities of espionage. Le Carré’s exploration of the human cost of intelligence work is both poignant and thought-provoking. The novel also offers a vivid portrayal of the geopolitical landscape of the 1970s, highlighting the shifting allegiances and power struggles that defined the era.

This audiobook is a must-listen for fans of espionage thrillers and literary fiction alike. Le Carré’s storytelling, combined with Vance’s exceptional narration, creates an immersive experience that is intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. The Honourable Schoolboy is a testament to Le Carré’s genius, offering a gripping tale that lingers long after the story is completed.

I always love a good John Le Carré adventures, better if Smiley is in! Love this character so much! This book is not disappointed me, I liked it very much. It’s was fun and tense like always and the narrator was incredible!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

This is a good old fashion Smiley tale. I enjoyed it and it was a well done audiobook. I do get lost sometimes in the intrigue but good job.

The Honorable Schoolboy is the 6th novel to feature spymaster George Smiley by John Le Carré. Originally released in 1977, this reformat and re-release in audiobook format from Dreamscape is due out 9th July 2024.

This is one of a handful of truly iconic spy thrillers from an author who literally shaped the entire genre. Smiley has taken over after removing the mole from the last book, and is building up the agency again. He's on a mission to root out all external influences. The trail soon leads to Hong Kong and points beyond.

Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original publications, this unabridged audiobook has a run time of 20 hours 31 minutes and is beautifully read by Simon Vance. He has a classically trained voice with well modulated RP accent and delineates the various characters and a range of ages very well. He's easy to listen to and does credit to the read. Sound and production quality are high throughout.

Four and a half stars. Classic literature, very well done. The actual book does show its age somewhat with social attitudes of the time period, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a remarkably well crafted story with compelling characters. Additionally, the narration on this audiobook edition is outstanding.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Honourable Schoolboy (1977) is a spy novel by British writer John le Carre. The 6th George Smiley is transformed and narrated by Simon Vance. Great adaptation of a book read several years ago, I can now enjoy as an audible option.

The well known character George Smiley must reconstruct an intelligence service in order to run a successful offensive espionage operation to save the service from being dismantled by the government. CIA Russian Intelligence, the Circus all become involved to solve the murder and expose the riff raff.

Check out the other releases of this amazing author and his intricate stories of spy craft.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and John le Carre’ for this advanced copy.

Second book in the exciting Karla trilogy, following Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in which the damage done by the mole that had infiltrated the circus needs to be assessed and Smiley pits his wits against his arch nemesis Karla. thanks a million to NetGalley for the arc/audiobook - the narrator is a dream!