After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 1

08/19/24 • 46 min

The le Carré Cast - A podcast on John le Carré novels

Discovering Sarah Gainham: Unveiling the Overlooked Cold War Novelist

In this episode of the le Carré Cast, we introduce a new feature – ‘After le Carré,’ spotlighting authors beyond John le Carré. Jeff welcomes back Jeremy Duns, writer and spy fiction enthusiast, to discuss Sarah Gainham, a lesser-known but richly talented spy novelist. They delve into the essential elements of le Carré’s works, Gainham’s life and career, and especially her novel The Tiger, Life.

The discussion explores Gainham’s intricate plotting, authentic depictions of Cold War espionage, and her personal experiences that shaped her stories. The episode wraps up with intriguing insights into the realities of spy life and the dynamic between Gainham and her contemporaries.

All that and more in this episode.

00:00 Welcome to the le Carré Cast

00:38 Introducing ‘After le Carré’

00:48 Guest Introduction: Jeremy Duns

01:01 Defining a le Carré Novel

03:21 Spotlight on Sarah Gainham

06:24 Sarah Gainham’s Life and Career

09:30 Exploring Gainham’s Spy Novels

16:22 The Tiger, Life: Gainham’s Masterpiece

23:41 Debating Book Titles and Their Impact

26:33 Exploring the Novel’s Setting and Characters

28:23 Autobiographical Elements and Espionage

30:02 Complex Relationships and Character Analysis

39:38 Real-Life Inspirations and Historical Context

44:29 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Title Fight! The Good, the Bad and Ugly of Spy Book Titles with Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest. (102)

Jeremy’s twitter – @JeremyDuns

Jeremy’s Website – Jeremy-Duns.com

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed

Discovering Sarah Gainham: Unveiling the Overlooked Cold War Novelist

All that and more in this episode.

00:00 Welcome to the le Carré Cast

00:38 Introducing ‘After le Carré’

00:48 Guest Introduction: Jeremy Duns

01:01 Defining a le Carré Novel

03:21 Spotlight on Sarah Gainham

06:24 Sarah Gainham’s Life and Career

09:30 Exploring Gainham’s Spy Novels

16:22 The Tiger, Life: Gainham’s Masterpiece

23:41 Debating Book Titles and Their Impact

26:33 Exploring the Novel’s Setting and Characters

28:23 Autobiographical Elements and Espionage

30:02 Complex Relationships and Character Analysis

39:38 Real-Life Inspirations and Historical Context

44:29 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Title Fight! The Good, the Bad and Ugly of Spy Book Titles with Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest. (102)

Jeremy’s twitter – @JeremyDuns

Jeremy’s Website – Jeremy-Duns.com

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed

Previous Episode

In Depth with Shaun McKenna: Adapting John le Carré for Radio

In this episode of The le Carré Cast, I interview acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Shaun McKenna. Sean discusses his journey into writing, his collaboration process for bringing le Carré’s complex characters to life on BBC Radio 4, and the challenges of adapting intricate novels for audio. about his adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Looking Glass War while highlighting Shaun’s eclectic career, including his involvement in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ musical. Sean also shares insights on the enduring appeal of audio drama in the UK and his current and upcoming projects.

Our previous look at The Smiley Radio Dramas can be found here –

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

00:46 Meet Shaun McKenna: The Adaptation Maestro

02:37 Shaun’s Journey into Audio Drama

04:13 The Smiley Radio Dramas: A Deep Dive

06:13 Challenges and Triumphs in Adaptation

08:39 The Art of Radio Drama

16:06 Capturing the Essence of le Carré

23:56 The Joys and Challenges of Radio Drama

26:11 The Decline of Radio Drama in the UK

28:48 A Writer’s Journey: From Actor to Adaptation Specialist

33:12 The Legacy of John le Carré’s Smiley Series

38:56 Reviving The Lord of the Rings Musical

41:20 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

Shaun McKenna’s Website – ShaunMcKenna.me

The Lord of the Rings World Tour

The Lord of the Rings in Chicago

The Forsyte Saga

Homefront Radio Drama

Jeff’s site – SpyWrite.com

Jeff’s twitter – @spywrite

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Spotify RSS Feed

Next Episode

After le Carré: Sarah Gainham Explored Part 2

Part 1 can be found here.

We are back with part 2 of this look at the novelist Sarah Gainham. I continue to be joined in the discussion with writer Jeremy Duns.

The episode begins with a recounting of a passage from ‘The Stone Roses,’ one of Gainham’s novels. We then discuss several of Gainham’s works, including ‘Time Right Deadly,’ ‘The Cold Dark Night,’ and ‘The Silent Hostage,’ exploring themes like politics, espionage, and deep human character studies.

We also have an upcoming interview with Jonathan Ray, Gainham’s godson, to gain more insights into the author’s life and inspirations.

All that and more in this episode.

01:41 Exploring Sarah Gainham’s Novels

02:05 Time Right Deadly: A Deep Dive

05:57 The Myth Maker: Kit Quest’s Adventure

11:37 The Stone Roses: A Recognizable Title

16:23 The Cold Dark Night: Berlin’s Espionage

25:25 Silent Hostage: Romance and Espionage 3

0:54 Ranking Sarah Gainham’s Novels

33:44 Upcoming Interview with Jonathan Ray

35:15 Closing Remarks and Other Podcasts

Title Fight! The Good, the Bad and Ugly of Spy Book Titles with Jeremy Duns and Jeff Quest. (102)