Episodes

  • The Russia House by John le Carré Explored – Part 1

    The Russia House by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
    Nov 11 2025
    In this episode, writer and podcaster Keir Graff joins to discuss John le Carré’s novel The Russia House. We talk about whether book people would make good spies and le Carré’s eye for local details. We also discuss whether this book has more P.G. Wodehouse than other le Carré novels. Plus, would an editor nowadays […]
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    32 mins
  • Helen Lewis – The Genius Myth

    Helen Lewis – The Genius Myth
    Oct 27 2025
    In this episode, we talk with Helen Lewis and her new book, The Genius Myth. We talk about how to think about artists with problematic pasts, the influence of wives on “geniuses” and how to create a legacy. Plus, what would a le Carré video game look like? All that and more in this episode. […]
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    55 mins
  • Federico Varese on – Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré

    Federico Varese on – Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré
    Oct 13 2025
    In this episode, we welcome Federico Varese to the show. Federico is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive. He also served as editor of Tradecraft: Writers on John le Carré a new collection of […]
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    37 mins
  • Dr. Jessica Douthwaite on the exhibition – John le Carré: Tradecraft

    Dr. Jessica Douthwaite on the exhibition – John le Carré: Tradecraft
    Oct 6 2025
    In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jessica Douthwaite to the show. Jessica is the co-curator of the new exhibition being held by the Bodelian Libraries showing off some of the materials the library has in the John le Carré archive. We talk about how Jessica became involved, what a curator does, and how the exhibition […]
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    44 mins
  • Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 11 to 20

    Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50 years, 50 facts – 11 to 20
    Sep 23 2025
    In this episode we continue to celebrate 50 years of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by counting up to 50 interesting things about the book. For numbers eleven to twenty point five I’m welcoming Matthew Bradford back to the podcast. We talk that about some of our favorite characters in the novel. From Connie Sachs to […]
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Queer Betrayal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

    Queer Betrayal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
    Sep 8 2025
    In this episode, we continue our year long look at Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with Tiffany Babb. We talk about her article “Because He Loved You”: The Queer Betrayal of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. We explore how queerness is portrayed in the novel, the complex relationship between Bill and Jim, and why le Carré’s approach […]
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    48 mins
  • Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 2

    Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 2
    Sep 2 2025
    In this episode, novelist Michael Idov returns to discuss John le Carré’s novel Our Game. Michael has written for numerous publications, was the Editor in chief of GQ Russia, is also a screenwriter and director and author of the new spy novel The Collaborators. We talk about where Our Game should fit in the le […]
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    35 mins
  • Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 1

    Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
    Aug 4 2025
    In this episode, novelist Michael Idov joins me to discuss John le Carré’s novel Our Game. Michael has written for numerous publications, was the Editor in chief of GQ Russia, is also a screenwriter and director and author of the new spy novel The Collaborators. We talk about why we enjoy one of le Carré’s […]
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    41 mins