Smiley’s People concludes the prolonged intellectual duel between George Smiley and his Soviet counterpart, Karla. Smiley, drawn from retirement, is tasked with unraveling the mystery behind the murder of an exiled Soviet general in London. The investigation uncovers layers of espionage and deceit, revealing the lengths to which Karla will go to protect a personal secret.

The Investigation Begins

Called to action by the Circus, the British intelligence service, Smiley dives into a complex web of espionage following the murder of a former Soviet general. The general had been communicating with a Russian woman in Paris, whose daughter was about to be relocated to France by Soviet agents. Smiley speculates that the true purpose behind this relocation is to create a fake identity for a young woman Karla plans to send to France. Driven by this hunch, Smiley embarks on a journey across Europe in pursuit of the truth. His past appearances in John le Carré's novels hint at his prowess, but Smiley’s People showcases his expertise in espionage to its fullest. Despite the threat to his life from Karla’s global network of operatives, Smiley remains undeterred in his mission.

Karla’s Secret

Central to the plot is Tatiana, Karla’s illegitimate daughter, who suffers from schizophrenia. Hidden away in a Swiss sanatorium, her existence is unknown to most, including the staff who care for her. The funds for her treatment are sent covertly through Grigoriev, a minor Soviet official. Karla's high-stakes secret, if discovered, could lead to his downfall at the hands of his Kremlin rivals. Smiley, adept at exploiting weaknesses, uncovers Grigoriev's infidelities and coerces him into becoming a double agent, offering refuge in Australia as leverage. Through Grigoriev, Smiley extends a daring ultimatum to Karla: defect to the West in exchange for asylum and continued care for Tatiana, or face exposure and ruin. The stakes are high as Karla faces execution, and his daughter risks losing her identity and financial support.

The Climactic Confrontation

In the fog-enshrouded setting of Berlin, Smiley waits, his plan hanging in the balance. Should Karla choose to cross the bridge into West Berlin, it would mark a monumental victory for the Circus, granting them unprecedented insight into Soviet operations. As tension builds with each passing second, Karla finally appears, disguised as an ordinary laborer. In a moment of quiet surrender, he steps into British custody, marking a significant, albeit morally ambiguous, success for Smiley.

Reflections on Victory

Despite the operational success, Smiley is far from jubilant. He grapples with the ethical implications of exploiting Karla's profound love for his daughter to defeat him. This moral quandary reflects le Carré’s recurring theme of ideological conflict eroding fundamental human values. Smiley’s victory feels hollow, as he acknowledges that he has not truly demonstrated the superiority of Western ideals over Communism. Furthermore, Smiley is haunted by the personal cost of this victory. He is reminded of how Karla had once manipulated his life, leading to the dissolution of his marriage with Ann, leaving him isolated and emotionally scarred long before Smiley managed to reciprocate the damage.