Do I need to read the George Smiley novels in order?

[SpikeWithoutASoul]

Never read any John Le Carre but just read Susan Hill’s glowing praise of him so thought I’d give one a try. Should I start with Call for the Dead or skip to the more famous novels?

I did and I found it very rewarding, it’s a more immersive experience and gave me a real sense of his world and background before his narrative in the more famous novels.
They’re all great, pretty much standalone stories but I appreciated knowing his progression as a character/ the evolution of the service. I didn’t realise what a good writer le Carre was. I’d love to be reading them for the first time again.
Enjoy them in any order

You’ve convinced me! Ordering the first one right now. Thanks.

I started with tinker tailor soldier spy and enjoyed them greatly

Masterful summary, @CentralHQ !

I would only add, the reader will certainly get more out of the big Smiley novels by reading "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and "Smiley's People" in that order.

"The Honourable Schoolboy" comes between them, but although Smiley features significantly he's not the central character.

A thread about spy books has a Previously Banned Poster who is apparently very familiar with them?!

Now that's very Le Carré.

Anyway, here's another guide to reading order – although bizarrely they've managed to miss out "Smiley's People" which comes immediately after "The Honourable Schoolboy" and is the third of the so-called Karla Trilogy.
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/2020/12/where-to-start-reading-john-le-carre-books

Wow! CentralHQ knew too much. 😁

You flushed out the mole, @SpikeWithoutASoul.

Hope this helps, :

Choosing where to start with the George Smiley novels by John le Carré depends on your preferences and reading style. The series is not strictly chronological, and while some readers enjoy starting from the beginning with "Call for the Dead," others prefer jumping into the more famous novels.

Here are a few considerations to help you decide:

Publication Order:
If you enjoy experiencing the evolution of a character and want to witness how John le Carré developed George Smiley over time, starting with "Call for the Dead" is a good choice. This novel introduces Smiley and sets the stage for his future adventures.

Chronological Order of Smiley's Career:
The chronological order of Smiley's career in the novels is different from the publication order. If you're interested in following Smiley's journey in a more sequential manner, you might want to start with "A Murder of Quality" before moving on to "Call for the Dead."

Jumping into Famous Novels:
Alternatively, you can start with one of the more famous novels like "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" or "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." These are widely acclaimed and showcase le Carré's mastery of the spy genre. It's not necessary to read the earlier novels to understand and appreciate these later works.

Stand-Alone Nature:
Each novel in the George Smiley series is somewhat self-contained, with its own plot and set of characters. While there is a broader narrative arc for Smiley throughout the series, you can enjoy many of the novels as stand-alone stories.

Personal Preferences:
Consider your own preferences. If you enjoy a slow build and intricate character development, starting from the beginning might be more satisfying. If you prefer diving into complex plots with high-stakes espionage, beginning with a more famous novel could be your preference.

In conclusion, there's no strict rule on whether you should read the George Smiley novels in order. You can choose based on your interests and reading style. If you're unsure, starting with "Call for the Dead" provides a solid foundation, but don't hesitate to jump to a more famous novel if that's what captures your interest.

@PerkingFaintly reposted for op. hope it helps everyone.