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Chuck Mitchell's avatar

We’ll be reading against the backdrop of another agonizing presidential election. Wonder if, based on Harkaway’s description, the contemporary context will influence the reading. One of JLC’s strong points in his fiction, even the later stuff which for me is generally less effective

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

we are on the same page!

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Bill Burke's avatar

I’ll also second your love of Roz Chast! I read an interview with her years ago where she said when The New Yorker first started publishing her work it was so different from the other cartoonists that she figured they all thought William Shawn, the then editor, must owe her parents money!

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

love it

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Chuck Mitchell's avatar

I might add that Nick “Harkaway” Cornwell is a fine author in his own right, so I’m keeping an open mind.

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

I guess...but from one angle that's almost worse?. He has a literary career already, so why muddy the waters this way? Well, I should read the book before commenting further....

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Chuck Mitchell's avatar

Having just reread the Karla trilogy for--what-- the sixth or seventh time, I share your concern about another Smiley story. The whole point of Smiley is that he’s the anti-James Bond, who has suffered all manner of inadequate sequels over the years. In fact, if I didn’t revere LeCarre’s work as much as I do, I might suggest that his final Smiley tale, A Legacy Of Spies, is in fact superfluous. I prefer to leave George with his “victory” at the end of Smiley’s People. Cheers, Ethan!

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

Yes I agree totally. There's one more you didn't mention, THE SECRET PILGRIM, which is far better than A LEGACY OF SPIES but also IMHO superfluous. The ending of SMILEY'S PEOPLE is perfect.

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Bill Burke's avatar

I will second Paul Hecht’s comment! How do you have time to read so much? It’s amazing.

Regarding Braxton, that cartoon brought back memories of seeing Braxton with Dave Holland and Barry Altschul in 1978 at Keystone Korner in S.F. He had so many reed instruments it was mind blowing, but none more so than the bass saxophone. I was in my mid-20s and went four nights in a row! I fell asleep in the club the last night.

It was a double bill with Randy Weston playing solo, which is insane to think about given the size of that place. I didn’t know about Randy at that point. I have to admit I fell in love with his music and kind of lost track of Braxton’s later work.

I wish I could see more live music. I need a ‘Star Trek’ transporter to get to NYC. Recordings are wonderful snapshots, but live performances tell you more!

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

I wish I coulda been there in '78 at the Keystone Korner for that double-bill!

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Paul J. Hecht's avatar

Your interests are bracingly various Mr. Iverson! Gratitude!

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ETHAN IVERSON's avatar

aw thank you!

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