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Quiz about Spy vs Spy The Novels of John Le Carre
Quiz about Spy vs Spy The Novels of John Le Carre

Spy vs. Spy: The Novels of John Le Carre Quiz


John Le Carre is one of the fore-most writers of espionage fiction. This quiz is about his novels.

A multiple-choice quiz by janetgool. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
janetgool
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
272,461
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
448
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 94 (7/10), Craterus (8/10), Guest 92 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. What is John Le Carre's real name? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What was Le Carre's first published novel? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. John Le Carre wrote a trilogy, entitled "The Search for Karla". Which one of the following novels is not part of the trilogy? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Many of Le Carre's novels deal with friction between the Great Britian and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Which statement best describes Le Carre's attitude towards the Cold War and the espionage that took place during that period? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Which of Le Carre's novels is considered to be autobiographical? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which of Le Carre's novels revolves around the Israel-Palestine conflict? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Following the end of the Cold War, some readers feared that Le Carre's career would also come to a close. However, Le Carre found many other subjects for his ingenious tales. Which one of these centers around the pharmaceutical industry? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In the "Acknowlegement" at the close of one of his novels, Le Carre thanks Graham Greene for inspiring him to write a novel about an "intelligence fabricator". Which one of Le Carre novels owes a debt to Greene's "Our Man in Havana"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In Le Carre's 200 novel "The Mission Song", what is the profession of the book's hero, Bruno Salvador? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. With which well-known author did Le Carre carry out a correspondence in the English newspaper "The Sunday Times" during the year 1997? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 26 2024 : Guest 94: 7/10
Mar 19 2024 : Craterus: 8/10
Mar 09 2024 : Guest 92: 9/10
Feb 22 2024 : Guest 174: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What is John Le Carre's real name?

Answer: David Cornwell

David Cornwell, according to the biographical blurbs in his books, was born in 1931. He was educated in Berne and at Oxford University, and worked for the British Foreign Service. It is widely believed that during this time, Cornwell was actually working for the British espionage service.

He published his books under a pseudonym since he was still employed by the Foreign Service when his first book was released, and they would not permit him to use his real name. George Smiley is his most famous character, based partly on Vivian Green, an Oxford don. Peter Wright is a former British Secret Service agent who wrote an expose of the service, called "Spycatcher".
2. What was Le Carre's first published novel?

Answer: A Call for the Dead

"A Call for the Dead" was published in 1961. It is more of a murder mystery than an espionage novel. George Smiley, Le Carre's multi-faceted hero, makes his debut in this novel. "A Call for the Dead" was followed by "A Murder of Quality", and then by "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold", in 1963. Le Carre made his reputation with his third novel, one of many which was also made into a film.
3. John Le Carre wrote a trilogy, entitled "The Search for Karla". Which one of the following novels is not part of the trilogy?

Answer: The Russia House

"The Search for Karla" trilogy revolves around George Smiley's search for a "mole", a highly-placed British agent who is secretly working for the Soviet Union. The trilogy was written after the real-life affair of Kim Philby, a British diplomat and secret agent, who was actually a high-ranking officer in the KGB. According to the Wikepedia article on John Le Carre, Philby betrayed Le Carre while Le Carre was serving with M16 in Germany.
4. Many of Le Carre's novels deal with friction between the Great Britian and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Which statement best describes Le Carre's attitude towards the Cold War and the espionage that took place during that period?

Answer: He does not favor either England or Russia, but describes the loyalty a person may have to another, real, person.

In a number of his novels, including "A Perfect Spy", "Absolute Friends" and "The Russia House", Le Carre's protagonists are motivated more by their devotion to an old friend, or to a woman,rather than by loyalty to a cause or dogma. Barley Blair, the hero of "The Russia House", states this quite clearly: "Their flags were nothing to him.

They could wave in any wind. . . .He knew the battle he had to win and who he had to win it for. He knew the sacrifice he was prepared to make".
5. Which of Le Carre's novels is considered to be autobiographical?

Answer: A Perfect Spy

Le Carre's eleventh novel, "A Perfect Spy", was published in 1986. Without a doubt, it is Le Carre's most autobiographical work. Not only does the basic outline of Le Carre's life parallel that of Magnus Pym, the book's hero, but Pym's father is clearly inspired by Le Carre's own, Ronald Cornwell. Ron Cronwell was a suave con-man and swindler - a convicted felon, just like Rick Pym.

In a 1986 interview with Joseph Leylveld in the "New York Times Magazine", Le Carre talks about his remarkable father. On one occasion, he convinced a Swiss railroad driver to run a private train to a skiing lodge where his son was staying. Tellingly, this was the first novel that Le Carre did not submit for government approval.
6. Which of Le Carre's novels revolves around the Israel-Palestine conflict?

Answer: The Little Drummer Girl

"The Little Drummer Girl" tells the story of Charlie, a struggling English actress, who is recruited by the Mosad in order to help them capture a Palestinian terrorist. In a wider sense, the book examines the way a secret service might exploit an innocent individual for the "greater good". This is one of the many Le Carre novels made into a film, with Diane Keaton in the leading role.
7. Following the end of the Cold War, some readers feared that Le Carre's career would also come to a close. However, Le Carre found many other subjects for his ingenious tales. Which one of these centers around the pharmaceutical industry?

Answer: The Constant Gardener

"The Constant Gardener" was published in 2001, and the movie version came out in 2005. In this novel, Justin Quayle, a British diplomat serving in Kenya, attempts to find the truth behind the rape and murder of his wife, Tess. What he uncovers are terrible abuses by a major pharmaceutical company, and the powers that protect it.
8. In the "Acknowlegement" at the close of one of his novels, Le Carre thanks Graham Greene for inspiring him to write a novel about an "intelligence fabricator". Which one of Le Carre novels owes a debt to Greene's "Our Man in Havana"?

Answer: The Tailor of Panama

"The Tailor of Panama", published in 1996, is one of Le Carre's post Cold War novels, the story of Pendel, the ex-patriat English tailor who has made a name for himself in Panama. Blackmailed by Andrew Osnard, Pendel attempts to save himself by fabricating a revolution.
9. In Le Carre's 200 novel "The Mission Song", what is the profession of the book's hero, Bruno Salvador?

Answer: Translator.

Bruno Salvador is a master translator, or interpreter, with absolutely no experience in espionage. He is asked to take part in a secret conference because of his linguistic ability. Jerry Westerby, in "The Honorable Schoolboy", was a journalist, and Barley Blair, of "The Russia House", was a publisher. Le Carre's novels are peopled with too many diplomats to enumerate.
10. With which well-known author did Le Carre carry out a correspondence in the English newspaper "The Sunday Times" during the year 1997?

Answer: Salman Rushdie.

Salman Rushdie, John Le Carre and Christopher Hitchens carried out a lively correspondence in the British newspaper "The Guardian" in 1997 regarding free speech and religious sensitivities. Le Carre first wrote an article about Rushdie in the "Guardian" in 1989, following the "fatwah" on Rushdie's life, due to his publication of "The Satanic Verses".

In this original article, Le Carre is not entirely sympathetic to his fellow-writer's plight. In 1997 the "The New York Times" accused Le Carre of anti-Semitism in the light of his publication of "The Little Drummer Girl". Rushdie then wrote to the "Guardian", "It would be gracious if he (Le Carre) were to admit that he understands the nature of the Thought Police . . ." Rushdie and Le Carre continued to exchange barbs over some time, and Christopher Hitchins put in a word or two.

Their correspondence can be read at: wwwrjgeib.com/thought/le-carre-vs-rushdie
Source: Author janetgool

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