All of this, yes. The thing about his characters is they all have this complex interiority that you're privy to, or semi-privy to: it makes stuff feel real. In

All of this, yes. The thing about his characters is they all have this complex interiority that you're privy to, or semi-privy to: it makes stuff feel real. In particular if you came out of a dysfunctional family (like Le Carre did) then your tendency to dig into situations for secrets and threats? It's always rewarded with the unfolding of story and character. He writes characters SO well. They're really interesting and complicated, and the complications matter. Barley in The Russia House and his handler… there's just a lot going on, and when he throws a twist at you it's justified and supported and rings true. He's very, very good.