The spy novels of John le Carré
Subtitle: balancing ethics and politics
By: Myron J. Aronoff.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 1999
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 316
Subjects: Le Carré, John, 1931- -- Criticism and interpretation.; Le Carré, John, 1931- -- Political and social views.; Le Carré, John, 1931- -- Ethics.; Politics and literature -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century.; Political fiction, English -- History and criticism.; Didactic fiction, English -- History and criticism.; Spy stories, English -- History and criticism.; Smiley, George (Fictitious character); Espionage in literature.; Spies in literature.
Description: A prolific author with millions of fans, and novels that routinely climb the bestseller charts, John le Carre is more than simply a genre writer. Myron J. Aronoff contends that le Carre's spy novels grapple with one of the most pressing political issues facing the world community today: what extreme - and often undemocratic - means are justifiable to protect democracy in this post-Cold War era?

As such, Aronoff demonstrates that le Carre's novels use espionage as a metaphor for politics, and his unforgettable characters dramatize the classic conflict between individual sovereignty and governmental loyalty and power.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [283]-298) and indexes.