I was amazed that such an intelligent well-read bloke could be so dim.
Unlike many of the foolish souls who signed on to that witch-denouncing campaign, he wasn't confused or bewildered; he's an ex-intelligence officer who in 1954 at Oxford secretly informed the authorities about the activities of his left wing friends.
I share your view of The Little Drummer Girl. I tried to read it earlier this year and found it dull.