Talk:The Honourable Schoolboy

Dear anonymous contributor,

Thanks for the article. Please note that it is the consensus policy that we don't sign Wikipedia articles (comments on talk pages should be signed, though). The identity of contributors is logged in the history page if you get an account. --Robert Merkel 04:00, 27 Jul 2004 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:JohnLeCarre TheHonourableSchoolboy.jpg
Image:JohnLeCarre TheHonourableSchoolboy.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Confusing plot summary
The plot summary is confusing; among other things, it introduces characters without identifying them. But the plot itself is almost as bad, so things are about even. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.232.27.169 (talk) 16:43, 10 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Denigrating Le Carré with a cowardly snarky comment is beneath Wikipedia. And what the article lacks more than anything is going beyond a mere vapid plot summary. The book has a point to make, and the summary, with nothing else in place, makes it read like a Fleming novel. Which is probably the level the parent commenter was on.

I agree that the plot summary could be clarified. It would be fine if some more info on who Tiny Ricardo and Charley Martin are and why they are important. But, most importantly, explain why Westerby suddenly switched sides and tried to protect Nelson Ko from arrest. Also explain why Gullam suspected the CIA had a hand in the mess.--129.115.184.33 (talk) 20:10, 31 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Don't bother. This novel simply has to be read in entirety to be understood fully. It's simply beyond the scope of a Wikipedia article. This is one pulp fiction for which Spark notes might be necessary. The style of narrative is a mix of fluid prose and mild stream-of-thought. Made the novel difficult to follow in places, especially when you read it on a screen. That's unique, no? Needs a separate section. Also a lot of ethics discussed in the last chapter. Separate section again.


 * Personally, I'd read the novel again before attempting anything. Oh, one is welcome to try.Iceman87 (talk) 17:12, 3 January 2011 (UTC)

Plot Summary Copied
This section is word for word exactly the same as the page at http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/The_Honourable_Schoolboy#encyclopedia

I don't know whether this article was copied from there, or vice versa. If the former is true, shouldn't the cite and author get credit?--AlRonnfeldt (talk) 20:52, 31 August 2009 (UTC)

I'm not sure how this works. The main problem I see with the summary is that it doesn't explain why Nelson Ko is so important. Something like this might be added: Smiley and his chief researchers, Sachs and diSalis, determine that Nelson Ko has become an important Chinese Communist official, with particular expertise in engineering and port facilities. They also decide that Nelson Ko is an agent of Karla, reporting secret information to the Russian secret service. Thus, if they can capture Nelson, the Circus will gain valuable insights into not only the Chinese government infrastructure, but Karla's methods and knowledge of the Chinese target, as well. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.160.202.156 (talk) 05:28, 17 November 2012 (UTC)

″ In Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, casting Joss Ackland in the minor role of Jerry Westerby was logical, if the original intent was retaining him as the protagonist of a television adaptation of The Honourable Schoolboy novel." I can't see anything logical about this. As an actor I am sure he is fine but he was far too old for the part or for playing Westerby in The Honourable Schoolboy. Westerby is supposed to be fairly young . He runs around Hong Kong, he disarms people. He is young enough to be able to attract women such as Liese. This actor was 51 when he made Tinker. Obviously he would have been even older if he had made The Honourable Schoolboy, far too old. In the 2011 film adaptation, he was played by Stephen Graham who was 37/38 at the time. A bit more the correct age.Khasab (talk) 13:11, 16 August 2015 (UTC)

Error in Plot Summary
The article says Sam Collins becomes temporary Chief of the Circus at the end of the novel. This is not correct; Saul Enderby becomes Chief. Collins is rewarded for his role in sharing information with the Americans (and facilitating Enderby's maneuvering to become Chief) by becoming head of Operations at the Circus. 2601:14C:8300:3437:2C64:D34F:21B8:7613 (talk) 04:21, 18 August 2019 (UTC)