When I was in high school I read The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and I was bowled over it. I always intended to read more by John LeCarré, so over the years I picked up his books here and there.

I now find myself with five of his titles on my shelf, and another book cull in progress. So I’ve decided to keep one of these listed below, so that I can read another LeCarré before I die. But which of these should I keep? Please help!

I have:
(from the George Smiley series)
#6 The Honourable Schoolboy (published 1977) and
#7 Smiley’s People (published 1979)

Standalone novels:
A Small Town in Germany (1968)
The Night Manager (1993)
The Tailor of Panama (1996)

I think I’d rather read a standalone than items published later in a series that I haven’t followed. But I’m open to one of the Smileys if it does standalone.

So what do you think? Was Le Carré’s earliest work his best? Or did he mature into a knock-out artist? What title do you recommend? I’m open to your thoughts, whether acquired by experience or reputation.

There’s space on my shelf for only one; all others are going the way of the charity store. Please help.

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