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The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

The le Carre Cast
John Le Carré
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Cold War
The Honourable Schoolboy
Espionage
A Most Wanted Man
Hong Kong
George Smiley
Sarah Gainham
Audio Drama
Radio Drama
1970's London
BBC Radio 4
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
A Murder Of Quality
Vietnam War
1970s London
Deep State
Mac Rogers

Exploring the works of John le Carré, each episode looks at a specific novel or an unexplored aspect of his life and work. Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of espionage John le Carré has revealed.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes70Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The le Carré Cast

Latest Episodes

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 Je... more

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 som... more

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, th... more

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 Col... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Tiffany Babb
Writer about comics and pop culture, previously worked as deputy editor at Popverse
Episode: Queer Betrayal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Michael Idov
Author of the new spy novel, The Collaborators, screenwriter and director, and former editor-in-chief of GQ Russia.
GQ Russia
Episode: Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
Scott O'Connor
A creative writing teacher and writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine and other prominent publications
Episode: The Constant Gardener by John le Carré Explored – Part 1
Mark Meynell
Author and speaker; working on a novel set in the Cold War.
Episode: A Legacy of Spies by John le Carre Explored – Part 2
Tod Hoffman
Former intelligence officer for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Episode: Tod Hoffman on le Carré’s Landscape
Ben H. Winters
Edgar Award-winning author of novels including The Last Policeman trilogy and Underground Airlines
Episode: Ben H. Winters on reading John le Carre
Dominic Sandbrook
Historian and co-presenter of The Rest Is History
The Rest Is History
Episode: The le Carre Cast 2024 recap
Mac Rodgers
Playwright and audio dramatist
N/A
Episode: The le Carre Cast 2024 recap
Sean McKenna
Adaptation expert for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
N/A
Episode: The le Carre Cast 2024 recap

Host

Jeff
Host of The le Carré Cast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 125 ratings
  • Badly needed podcast

    Thanks for this podcast, true appreciation of an immense writer

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    s??65834
    United States2 months ago
  • A Most Wanted Pod

    I’m a newer fan of JLC (on book 14 in my first read through of all his books) and really enjoy the podcast for various reasons.

    - I learn something new each episode and it’s great to get a mix of facts about JLC, history, the books, etc. while also hearing various perspectives and interpretations.

    - The podcast also introduced me to all of the awesome information Jeff collected on his website, and it helped me find real life JLC locations on a trip to London

    - For someone who hasn’t read all o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jboucher_art
    United States3 months ago
  • All cherries, all the way

    Some podcasts I’m content to cherry-pick, but this is one simply to binge.

    It’s a marvellous treat for a fan to be invited to hear discussions of this depth and substance. Jeff makes a very good host: quite modest, even sometimes self-effacing, so the experience and expertise of his guests really shines out.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brainypup
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • THE Show for Any Fan - Old or New

    Great podcast for anyone who is an avid le Carre reader or just finished their first novel.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mick Coop
    United States7 months ago
  • If you have ever read a leCarre novel, you will enjoy the discussions on this pod. Definitely worth a listen.

    Audible
    5
    Amazon Customer
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the series appears to attract ardent le Carré enthusiasts and newcomers alike, with many recommending it as essential listening for fans of literary fiction.
The host is praised for his ability to guide discussions thoughtfully and respectfully, making even complex analyses accessible.
Listeners express a strong appreciation for the insightful discussions and depth of analysis regarding John le Carré's works.
Many note that the podcast enriches their understanding of le Carré's novels, providing historical context and engaging conversations with experts.
Critiques are infrequent, but when they do occur, they focus primarily on the desire for expanded exploration of certain works or themes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#96
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#111
Italy/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#201
Italy/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#68
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#149
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#190
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

High Church/Low Church – An explainer
Q: Is that something that's still out there or is that weakened now?
There's definitely residue of it, but I think that legacy is definitely fading.
Queer Betrayal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Q: How do you feel le Carré portrays female characters in his novels?
Le Carré's focus tends to be deeper on male relationships, with criticisms suggesting he doesn't write female characters as well in earlier works.
Queer Betrayal in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Q: What do you think is going on with the queerness of Bill Hayden and how is it portrayed?
Bill Hayden's queerness is framed without demonization, suggesting that his character complexly embodies themes of loyalty and betrayal in the narrative.
Our Game by John le Carré Explored – Part 2
Q: What is the takeaway somebody reading this should have?
The takeaway is that the establishment always betrays the people who believe in them, as depicted in the geopolitics through the narrative.
Interview – Nick Harkaway on Upcoming le Carre Projects
Q: You’ve got a TV adaptation coming up, Kill Jackie? That's so cool. Talk about that.
Harkaway talks about the TV adaptation, expressing excitement and sharing insights into the writing process.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The le Carré Cast

What is The le Carré Cast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the literature of John le Carré, the content revolves around in-depth discussions of his novels, exploring nuanced themes such as betrayal, espionage, and moral ambiguity. The episodes present a blend of literary analysis, historical context, and personal reflections, often featuring guest experts who contribute their insights into the intricacies of le Carré's characters and storytelling techniques. The podcast's unique angle lies in its commitment to connecting le Carré's works to contemporary geopolitical issues and the personal experiences of contributors, making it both a scholarly resource and an engaging conversation for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

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How many listeners does The le Carré Cast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The le Carré Cast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The le Carré Cast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The le Carré Cast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The le Carré Cast:

1. Barbican Station - A Slow Horses Podcast
2. The Rest Is Classified
3. The Rest Is History
4. Backlisted
5. Empire

How many episodes of The le Carré Cast are there?

The le Carré Cast launched 4 years ago and published 70 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The le Carré Cast?

Recent guests on The le Carré Cast include:

1. Tiffany Babb
2. Michael Idov
3. Scott O'Connor
4. Mark Meynell
5. Tod Hoffman
6. Ben H. Winters
7. Dominic Sandbrook
8. Mac Rodgers

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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