It incorporates flashbacks to Pym's childhood with his father, the enterprising charismatic rogue and con-man, Rick; to his early years at school and university; to his amorous adventures, to his introduction to espionage and state secrets; and to his encounters with long-time friend and Czech spy Axel.

Like Magnus, le Carré lost his mother at an early age, was sent to an abusive prep school, studied languages at the University of Berne in Switzerland, in the 1950s worked for the Intelligence Corps of the British Army in Austria interrogating Czech defectors, and at the University of Oxford spied on far-left student groups for MI5, the British security service.

[2][3][4] Ronnie was "an epic con man of little education, immense charm, extravagant tastes, but no social value",[2] and associate of the Kray twins, London organised crime figures.

In 2017, a radio adaptation of the same name was produced by BBC Scotland, directed by Bruce Young, starring Julian Rhind-Tutt, Bill Paterson, and Michael Maloney.

[12] In an audiobook recording of John le Carré reading aloud an abridged version of this book, he introduces the work as "THE Perfect Spy".