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Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Anniversary)
Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Anniversary) | John le Carre
"The Pigeon Tunnel, "John le Carre'sfirst work of non-fiction, will be available from Viking in September 2016 The 50th-anniversary edition of the bestselling novel that launched John le Carre s career worldwide In the shadow of the newly erected Berlin Wall, Alec Leamas watches as his last agent is shot dead by East German sentries. For Leamas, the head of Berlin Station, the Cold War is over. As he faces the prospect of retirement or worse a desk job Control offers him a unique opportunity for revenge. Assuming the guise of an embittered and dissolute ex-agent, Leamas is set up to trap Mundt, the deputy director of the East German Intelligence Service with himself as the bait. In the background is George Smiley, ready to make the game play out just as Control wants. Setting a standard that has never been surpassed, "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" is a devastating tale of duplicity and espionage. John le Carre s"Our Kind of Traitor"is soon to be a major motion picture starring Ewan McGregor."
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TheSpineView
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Movie: The Bourne Identity

Klou Perfect!! 10mo
45 likes2 comments
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Larkken
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I keep finding new books to be excited about on your #auldlangspine list, @vivastory ! I have been on a spy kick lately and have never read le carre, so may take your lead to pick up a George Smiley book (but may indulge my idiosyncracies by reading Call for the Dead first). But the other covers pictured here are also speaking to me, so we'll see. I hope you also find something that speaks to you. A big thanks to @monalyisha for organizing 🥰

monalyisha The tagged is one of my favorite books ever! 10mo
Larkken @monalyisha Shirley Jackson is always great, I agree!! 10mo
vivastory I am very excited by the selections on your list 👏 👏 That was my first experience with Le Carre & I immediately ordered The Looking Glass War as soon as I had finished. 10mo
DGRachel This list is amazing. Le Carre is incredible and so is Cormac McCarthy. George Smiley is my favorite fictional spy. 10mo
Billypar So much good stuff on this @vivastory I read Lexicon last year too - that was really fun. I think Child of God is hands down the creepiest work from McCarthy. Almost like if you spent all of Blood Meridean in the Judge's company 😨😨😨 10mo
39 likes5 comments
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rachelk
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My first John le Carré book and it was excellent — beyond the smart plot twists of good spy fiction it read like great literature. This has probably been on my tbr longer than any other book. Thanks to my November #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks I finally read it!

dabbe It's excellent, isn't it? That ending! 😱 10mo
rachelk @dabbe Yes! Of all the endings I‘d imagined, that one took me aback. 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 10mo
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marleed
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Pickpick

I read the first chapter - twice, stopped for inspiration to YouTube a fascinating interview with the author about the book and subsequent movie. Then I read a synopsis on the book and downloaded the distinguished English accent audiobook for a stereo read/listen experience. Sometimes I just need to treat a book like a play with a playbill detailing the acts. It was great!

#BookSpin Cat: Pub 20th Century

julesG 🙈🙈🙈 I just wondered why you had a giant edition of the book since it's larger than the fireplace. Only then it clicked. 🥴🤣🤣🤣 1y
Cuilin I love this. My reading takes me off on little side quests too. (edited) 1y
dabbe I loved this book! What an ending! 🤩😍🤗 1y
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marleed @julesG haha. My quest for that mini malm (to honor my upbringing) is now a funny family story with my own kids. It actually burns incense-like little logs! 1y
marleed @Cuilin @dabbe I‘m glad I stepped back and did some research before continuing on. It‘s just so good! 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 1y
74 likes6 comments
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AlizaApp
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Pickpick

This Cold War espionage novel is a classic for a reason - every scheme and double-cross has a reason and a plan behind it. Every action has consequences and everyone is playing the long game. Absolutely loved this one.

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dabbe
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Pickpick

Wow! What a book. I couldn't put it down. The story reminded me of ATOMIC BLONDE in many ways, but obviously, the book is better! le Carre doesn't flinch from the brutal reality of the spy business and the atrocity that was the Berlin Wall, and both sides are equally to blame. What an excellent book to teach point-of-view. Author Graham Greene said of this 1963 novel, that it was “the best spy story I have ever read.“ I have to agree.

Ruthiella I also agree with Greene. This book blew me away. 2y
Leftcoastzen I need to get to it ! It‘s been on my TBR forever , and I found a copy awhile back , now if I can find it again!😁 2y
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dabbe
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“Leamas said nothing, just stared through the window of the checkpoint, along the empty street.“

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Therewillbebooks
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Another potential spy book for our book club.

Ruthiella This one I highly recommend. If you only read one Le Carre, make it this one! 2y
55 likes1 comment
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Sabinaaaaaa
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Mehso-so

My little spy 🤭

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Ididsoidid
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Pickpick

A brilliant spy thriller which constantly had me second guessing who was double crossing whom. Leamas is sent on one last assignment in the shadow of the recently constructed Berlin Wall that leaves him questioning the politics and morality of both sides. A great book cover as well. 8/10

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The_Book_Ninja
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Pickpick

A tightly plotted gem of a novel. 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 8/10 bikes

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The_Penniless_Author
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Pickpick

Saw this at B&N and couldn't resist the impulse buy. I rarely re-read books, but made an exception in this case. Somehow I left this one off my top 21 of 21 list, which is unforgivable given how good it is. About as perfect as a novel gets; not a word is wasted, and the twist ending is both devastating and wholly earned, so rooted in the characters' particular psychologies that in retrospect it was inevitable, which are the best "twists" of all.

TH3F4LC0N I read that book last year and really liked it! So gray, so duplicitous. A far cry from James Bond, that‘s for sure! 😅 3y
Kammbia1 The best spy novel I have ever read. Rest in Love, John Le Carre. 3y
truthinfiction Is it necessary to have read the previous novels in series to be able to appreciate this one? 3y
The_Penniless_Author @truthinfiction Not at all. I think it was le Carre's third novel, and while it references characters who appeared in the first two books (and would continue appearing in future books) all the context you need is right there. It's a standalone book, not a proper sequel. 3y
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Leftcoastzen
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#weremember #JohnLeCarré A worn book club edition of his first book , & a Franklin Library First I found at a yard sale. I have yet to read him .

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 📚 3y
The_Penniless_Author The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is just about a perfect novel. I read it last year for the first time and was blown away. 3y
Leftcoastzen @The_Penniless_Author wow , that‘s good to know , I‘m hoping to get to it soon. 3y
Eggs Great pick!! 3y
55 likes4 comments
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kam01
Pickpick

I liked the very human representation of the spy with all his foibles. This made for a refreshing change from the James bond films.

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TheSpineView
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Eggs Well done 👍🏼🕵️‍♂️🥶 3y
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llcoolnate

has to be the longest someone has taken to read this book 😭

the cpa exams are taking up too much reading time 🤬

kspenmoll Best of luck with exams!!! 3y
llcoolnate @kspenmoll thank you!! 3y
Ruthiella Good luck on your exam! Understandable that studying sucks up your reading time. 3y
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bthegood good luck with the exam! 3y
Reggie Good luck on your exams! 3y
Jari-chan Good luck 🤞 3y
SolaRaynor Such a good book! 3y
51 likes8 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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As famous as Le Carré is , I haven‘t read him. Found this old book club edition at a thrift store , couldn‘t resist.

KCofKaysville @Leftcoastzen I really liked Le Carre' when I used to read him back in the late '80s and early '90s. Especially Tinker, Tailor ... 3y
plemmdog I enjoyed it, although a little hard to follow. 3y
The_Penniless_Author I think this might be my favorite of his books. Smiley is just an ancillary character here, but Leamas is an interesting MC, and it provides good background for the later Smiley books. 3y
59 likes3 comments
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Awk_Word_Smith
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Pickpick

Leamas is probably my favorite spy character ever written. He‘s at the end of his career and holds no illusion about the ugliness of his profession. He‘s no ideologue. At least, he is no longer one. This is perhaps the most le Carré novel that le Carré ever wrote, written with an insider‘s knowledge of espionage along with a tightly coordinated plot of traps within traps. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Awk_Word_Smith
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Ok. I admit. I‘m obsessed with le Carré spy novels.

Awk_Word_Smith Yes. I‘m reading it again for like the billionth time. 3y
13 likes1 comment
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rwmg
Mehso-so

Spy fiction isn't really my thing, so I doubt I would have picked this up if hadn't been a book club choice. I can recognise that it was groundbreaking at the time, and the supplementary material in this edition was interesting but the book still left me feeling rather meh. I'm certainly not running out to get any of his other books.

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rwmg
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tpixie Yum! And black and white photo is perfect ambiance for Le Carré 4y
rwmg @tpixie Yes, it felt right even though I've never read any of his books before 4y
tpixie @rwmg 🖤🤍🖤 4y
20 likes3 comments
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swynn
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Pickpick

The bestselling novel in the U.S. in 1964 was the third of Le Carré's George Smiley novels, though Smiley's role is minor here as his colleague Alec Leamas goes undercover to target an East German counterintelligence agent. It's tight, twisty, and morally ambiguous. A terrific spy story, though I'm conflicted about some casual racism and homophobia: I know it's 1963 and we're not expected to admire these guys anyway, but still.

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plemmdog
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Pickpick

Embarrassed to admit I‘ve never read LeCarre until now, as spy and espionage books have never been my cup of tea. But I‘m hooked. Terrific suspense and impeccable prose, and much is coming out now about how LeCarre‘s spouse was crucial to shaping and crafting his narratives. I found this first American edition cheap(!) on Biblio.

Leftcoastzen Nice copy ! I haven‘t read him either. Need to change that. 4y
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The_Penniless_Author
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Pickpick

I don't know what I appreciate most about le Carre's novels - the meticulous, insider's knowledge of the spy trade; the tightly constructed plots that seem to slowly close in on you like a net; or the characters themselves, extremely capable yet emotionally stunted, isolated, and paranoid, doing sometimes awful things for reasons they don't always understand, but which every once in a while might legitimately save the world.

plemmdog I‘m looking forward to this one. It‘s my March book club pick, and new copies a bit hard to find at the moment. Embarrassed to say I‘ve never read LeCarre... 4y
The_Penniless_Author @plemmdog I never had either until a couple months ago. This is my second book of his, and so far they've lived up to the hype. You won't be disappointed! 4y
andrew61 I love this book and the film is great as well. 4y
swynn This one is coming up in a couple of months in my bestseller challenge. I haven't read it since I was in high school and am looking forward to revisiting it. 4y
The_Penniless_Author @swynn Not only was it an enjoyable read, but it went by like nothing. It's deceptively short (only about 250 pages), and I finished it in two days, but it felt much more substantive than that makes it sound. Just received Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy from the library, so looking forward to starting that. 4y
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The_Penniless_Author
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What do you think spies are: priests, saints and martyrs? They're a squalid procession of vain fools, traitors too, yes; pansies, saints and drunkards, people who play cowboys and Indians to brighten their rotten lives.

Vansa People who play cowboys and Indians is what LeChiffre tells Bond in Casino Royale. 4y
The_Penniless_Author @Vansa It's a good quote, and I think it captures the childlike fascination a lot of people on the outside have with spies and spy craft. The thing I like so much about the few le Carre books I've read is that he still includes the suspense that makes other spy novels thrilling while also capturing the distasteful- and humdrum- aspects of the job. How petty so much of it is. 4y
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The_Penniless_Author
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Sometimes she thought Alec was right - you believed in things because you needed to; what you believed in had no value of its own, no function. What did he say? "A dog scratches where it itches. Different dogs itch in different places."

"Some people keep canaries, some people join the Party," he'd said once, and it was true.

susurran His recent death absolutely devastated me, he was such a giant in the field. If you've never heard him speak - or better yet, narrating his own novels - seek it out, he had the most beautiful voice, and such a wonderful flare for narration. 4y
The_Penniless_Author @susurran I'm only getting acquainted with his work now. I knew of him, of course, and I'd been meaning to read him forever, but it's only in the last couple months that I finally did. This is the second book of his I've read now, and I'm well impressed. 4y
susurran TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY will probably always be his magnum opus, the one that casts the longest shadow (le Carre is credited with coining the term "mole" in its espionage context, that blows my mind), but THE NIGHT MANAGER and THE SECRET PILGRIM are the two le Carre books I'd have to take to a desert island with me. Hope you enjoy! 4y
The_Penniless_Author @susurran Thanks! Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is next up on my library hold list. I'll try the other two after that. 4y
37 likes4 comments
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

The third Smiley novel, this is the book that solidified Le Carré as a master of espionage fiction. Full of twists, clever plots, and unforgettable characters, this is a slow burn that draws you in then pushes you to the heart-stopping, heartbreaking conclusion. Like several of the Smiley novels, George plays a background role - unassuming, but critical, just like Smiley himself.

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DGRachel
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Next up... I‘m watching the classic film before rereading the third Smiley novel - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. I love Richard Burton almost as much as I love George Smiley. ☺️

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jenniferw88
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Pickpick
BarbaraBB Such a coincidence, this #bookspin at this moment! 4y
jenniferw88 @BarbaraBB I know, when I heard on Sunday I knew this would be added to my #weeklyforecast! 4y
Librarybelle Very timely for sure 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4y
49 likes4 comments
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veritysalter
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One of my favourite authors. RIP

Catherine_Willoughby Just saw this on my news app 😔 4y
jenniferw88 I have this book as my #doublespin - I think it might be next! 4y
CaroPi 😩 4y
38 likes3 comments
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Litsi
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Pickpick

The story is easy to follow - which says a lot about a book that features duplicitous people with facile agendas. You feel like you know everything that‘s happening in a scene, but it turns out that you don‘t. Even the characters don‘t. He does all this while using an omniscient narrator. That‘s the literary equivalent of a magic trick. The climactic scene is a treat -imagine Perry Mason and Mrs. Marple going at it. The ending was perfect.

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Ruthiella
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#ThankfulThursday

1. I like to surprise others by giving them presents when I think of it and not waiting for Christmas or a birthday. I recently sent my sister a pillow case, just because it was cute and she likes hedgehogs.

2. This week I am thankful for my home and family. I live near where some of the wildfires are and I feel for those folk who lose everything in these times.

Thanks for the tag @ABooksyGirl 😀 . Wanna play @Tanisha_A ? 😃

Cosmos_Moon_River Wishing you all the best out there ❤️ 4y
Ruthiella @Cosmos_Moon Thanks. My home is not threatened, luckily. I live far enough away. The biggest issue is poor air quality. 4y
CaffeineAndCandy 🙃😉 4y
Tanisha_A ❤️ 4y
21 likes4 comments
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AshleyHoss820
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Pickpick

This was a good one! Who can you trust, what pieces go where!? The end was so good! Pretty sure this book was made for folks like me who dig espionage, intrigue, & treachery! 😊 174/1,001 #1001Books

ManyWordsLater Just watched this movie! So great! 4y
AshleyHoss820 @ManyWordsLater Now that I‘ve read the book, the movie is on my must-watch list! 4y
40 likes2 comments
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larah17
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Pickpick

I read this after seeing it was highly recommended by some authors I like, but I'm still not sure I understand what it's about 🤣 I like John LeCarre's writing a lot, but I might need to reread this one to actually get the twists. 3.5⭐

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Querencia
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Pickpick

It took me 2 months to slog through the first 200 pages, but just an hour to finish the remaining 150 odd pages. The pieces were carefully placed, sophisticated yet painstakingly dragged along, but the ending was more than worth it ❤
And that proves why it is an all time classic! Exploring moral choices is something I always love, and the perspective shown here is gut punching. Stick to it and you won't regret it 💯👍
#litsy #quarantine #read

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Aimeesue
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Book haul from the Book Sorting today. Somebody only got about 20 pages into The Topeka School before they bailed, leaving a lovely tree bookmark.
Lucky me!

Tamra So fun! 5y
Aimeesue @Tamra It's the best volunteer gig EVER! 😁 5y
LatrelWhite Pax is a great story! 5y
vivastory I want to read literally every single one of these. Great haul! 5y
40 likes4 comments
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jenniferw88
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These two #smile books are on my tbr for this year! Tagged book features George SMILEY & works for #readingeurope2020, whereas the Oscar Wilde one is for #covercrush on #booked2020. #reallyrandomfebruary @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen (Oscar would work for Victorian!) @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Cinfhen Lovely cover 💜 5y
Librarybelle I like the covers of the Oscar Wilde books! 5y
BarbaraBB Clever! 5y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻📚❤️ 5y
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚😊 5y
adesr16 I love the John LeCarre book 5y
76 likes6 comments
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jenniferw88
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ValPenny I really loved that book. John le Carré is a brilliant writer. 5y
veritysalter I love John le Carré and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold in particular. The Movie is mine and Roo‘s Christmas Eve tradition. 5y
adesr16 One of my faves! 5y
StayCurious Excellent +2! 5y
29 likes4 comments
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Sweettartlaura
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Mehso-so

I keep trying... I even keep trying with novels by Le Carre ... but spy novels might not be for me. You‘d think they would be an easy transition from mystery & thriller. But they‘re just not. And I‘m always left thinking, “All that? For nothing?” pretty much after each one, no matter how well it was written 🤷🏻‍♀️

Caroline2 I know what you mean, I can‘t get into spy novels either! 🤷‍♀️ 5y
35 likes1 comment
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veritysalter
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#NamasteNovember #WinterTheme For some reason ‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold‘ has become our Christmas Eve film (for at least the last five years): I first read the book when I was having a break in Berlin (I like to theme my holiday reading), it was snowy and freezing.

Eggs Great choice 5y
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Petelord
Pickpick

My all time favourite spy novel. Outstanding

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Petelord
Pickpick

Best spy novel I‘ve read

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DylanT
Pickpick

Great book! I need another like it! East Europe, an operative alone and unafraid, surrounded by adversaries. Suggestions?

booklahoma You might try the Night Soldiers series by Alan Furst. I prefer the classic Ambler, Le Carre, and Graham Greene espionage novels but most of them don't quite fit criteria you mentioned. Two excellent works about solo agents in Europe (but not Eastern Europe) are Eye Of The Needle (Follett) and Day Of The Jackal (Forsyth). And Demi Bom's new book (tagged) is set primarily in Bulgaria. (edited) 6y
DylanT Thanks. I will check these out! I just bought King of Pawns and Night Soldiers. Will let you know how it goes. Great recommendations. 6y
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IReadThereforeIBlog
Pickpick

The third in John Le Carré‘s GEORGE SMILEY SERIES (a follow-up to CALL FOR THE DEAD) has Smiley very must in a minor (albeit critical) supporting role but that doesn‘t matter as this ice-cold, ruthless, brutal spy thriller novel is an exquisitely plotted affair about treachery and counter-espionage and how lives become disposable to those in power when it suits their interests in what is commonly viewed as a classic spy novel.

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Pedrocamacho
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Pickpick

This is a fun little read with twist. It is a classic Cold War spy thriller.

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andrew61
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#winterwonderland #December1963
According to my search the berlin wall opened briefly in December 63 for visits between relatives.
This is one of my favourite books written in 1963 and also one of my favourite films which has richard burton in his best form and an ending centred on the wall.

Cathythoughts I must have seen this over the years ... would love to see this film now ♥️👍🏻 6y
batsy Nice one... I need to read this! (Le Carre in general!) 6y
31 likes2 comments
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Billypar
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#babyitscoldoutside #winterwonderland
" 'It's bad out there', my contact assured me as the fireplace roared. 'You're much safer here with us.' I wanted to agree, hoping the dizzy spell would pass. Instead, it intensified, as the holiday scene around me blurred and shifted. 'Say, whatsssin this drnkk?' I slurred, at the same time the answer came to me, as clear as silver bells. Poison.
@TrishB @Cinfhen

TrishB Clever one 👍🏻 6y
jmofo 🖤 Smiley et al 6y
Cathythoughts Very good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

A pick for the tight plotting and elegant writing. Still not crazy about Liz's role though.

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LauraBeth
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This is a normal for a dining room, right?

TrishB 😂😂👍🏻 6y
squirrelbrain Yes, it‘s perfectly fine! 6y
Lindy I like it. 6y
See All 40 Comments
bookandcat Oooh I spy some good books! 6y
erzascarletbookgasm Oops! 😄👍 6y
Cathythoughts Ofcorse !! 👍🏻 6y
MicheleinPhilly J would KILL me. “You have a room for those, you know.” 6y
Schlinkles For my dining room for sure! 6y
Shvonne Perfectly normal 6y
Tamra Yep, any surface will do. 6y
emilyhaldi LOL 6y
kyraleseberg Looks cozy & inviting to me ☺️ 6y
SilversReviews YES...LOVE IT!! 😊 6y
BarbaraBB Looks perfect to me 😍😘 6y
aeeklund Most definitely! 6y
saresmoore Absolutely. I think it‘s especially inviting for guests—reading at the dinner table is encouraged! 6y
Mimi28 Do the cats ever jump up there and mess up everything? Mine would, lol 6y
Redwritinghood Why would you even ask that question?🤣🤣 (edited) 6y
LauraBeth Tell me I‘m not the only one who lives like this! @TrishB 😂 6y
LauraBeth I thought so! 😀 @squirrelbrain 6y
LauraBeth @bookandcat I need to sort through it - I have no idea what all is in there! 6y
LauraBeth @MicheleinPhilly oh my J wants to kill me for this! 😂 6y
LauraBeth @Schlinkles y‘all are clearly my people 😀 6y
LauraBeth @Shvonne I was hoping so 😂 6y
LauraBeth @Tamra that‘s a great motto 😂 6y
LauraBeth @emilyhaldi it‘s getting a little bit out of hand...😀 6y
LauraBeth @SilversReviews Littens get it 😊 6y
LauraBeth @BarbaraBB 😊😘 6y
LauraBeth @aeeklund I was hoping Litsy would understand 😂 6y
LauraBeth @saresmoore 😊 I just need some good shelves in there! 6y
LauraBeth @Mimi28 surprisingly, they don‘t! That‘s because they‘re too busy lounging on their bed right next to this pile of books - aka - the dining room table 😝 (edited) 6y
LauraBeth @Redwritinghood sometimes I need an “Am I normal here...” check 😂 6y
LeahBergen What? The artwork? 😉 6y
Mimi28 Lol, not even the kitten? That‘s awesome!! Lol My Mogwai is 11 and she still gets into everything 6y
133 likes40 comments