Character · The other side · 3 books
Karla
Karla is the head of Moscow Centre’s secret department, Smiley’s great adversary.
Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Character facts
- First appearance
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974)
- Latest appearance
- Smiley’s People (1979)
- Books
- 3 (3 major)
- Series
- Karla trilogy
- Author
- John le Carré
- Circle
- The other side
Where to meet Karla
Karla first appears in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974), in a major role, book 1 of the Karla trilogy series.
Every book with Karla
In publication order, with the size of their role in each.
- 1974MTinker Tailor Soldier Spymajor role · Karla trilogySmiley’s unseen opponentBuy
- 1977MThe Honourable Schoolboymajor role · Karla trilogyBuy
- 1979MSmiley’s Peoplemajor role · Karla trilogyComes in from the coldBuy
Appears most often with
| Character | Books together |
|---|---|
| Connie SachsThe Circus’s memory on Soviet matters | 3 |
| George SmileyIntelligence officer of the Circus | 3 |
| Peter GuillamSmiley’s loyal lieutenant | 3 |
| Ann SmileySmiley’s unfaithful wife | 2 |
| Jerry WesterbyJournalist and part-time agent | 2 |
| Toby EsterhaseHungarian-born Circus officer | 2 |