Call for the Dead: A George Smiley Novel | 
pickAfter reading Karla‘s Choice, I had to go back to the original Smiley stories, starting with this first one. It‘s definitely more murder mystery than espionage story, but it introduces a character who will become significant in later Smiley books (and I‘d totally forgotten about that!). This is at least my 3rd time reading this one. It‘s safe to say I love it still.
pickMy spy-kick from last year shows every sign of continuing into 2024. This 1st George Smiley novel started off strong but seemed to lose focus toward the end-It's a bit of a detective novel with spies in it,and could have used more spies lol-but I'm glad I read it and not just as a prelude to le carré's more famous novels. Smiley is an interesting character already, & I really liked Mendel and hope to see him in later books.
Read for #auldlangspine
Finally put together January's #Bookspin and #BookspinBingo! It's been a long week, haha. I'm working my way through the tagged #AuldLangSpine pick, though, and enjoying it so far!
Le Carré's first novel, and the first George Smiley novel. I think, prior to this, the earliest I'd read was The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (his 3rd). It's a little clunky in places, compared to his assured later works, and a little generic – it's a more run of the mill spy-themed murder mystery type thing. However, enjoyable, very nicely read by Michael Jayston (as usual), and interesting to see the master learning the ropes.
pickI read these rather out of order, starting with the third in the series “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold” and then No. 9 “A Legacy of Spies”. To be quite frank, they read so well independent of total series, one need not read them in order. But it was nice being introduced to these characters from the beginnings, as in a modern-day prequel.
About halfway through, and the situation is tense.
#books #WritingCommunity #author #authors #amreading #amwriting #amediting #writers #BookTwitter #BookWorm #bookstagram #GeorgeSmiley #JohnLeCarre
pickNot sure where the 4AM coffee & Carré came from, but not a bad way to start the day 🤷🏻♂️.
pickThis is the first of John le Carre's series featuring spymaster George Smiley. In this one Smiley investigates the suicide of a foreign service agent who had no apparent reason to kill himself. It's a tight little mystery introducing the character and le Carre's world of perverse incentives, unintended consequences, and human failings. I'd forgotten what a sharp writer and keen observer le Carre was, and am looking forward to continuing the series
When Lady Ann Sercomb married George Smiley towards the end of the war she described him to her astonished Mayfair friends as breathtakingly ordinary.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickThe first Smiley novel is also one of the shortest, but don‘t let the length fool you. It‘s as easy to underestimate the depth in the book as it is to underestimate Smiley himself. A Foreign Office employee commits suicide after being accused of espionage, but did he really kill himself, or is something else at play? Part mystery, part spy novel - intricately plotted and exquisitely written. Welcome to the Cold War as only Le Carré can write it.
“They dreamed of peace and freedom. Now they‘re murderers and spies.”
“He knew how intelligent men could be broken by the stupidity of their superiors, how weeks of patient work night and day could be cast aside by such a man.”
All other reading plans are canceled. I‘m mourning the death of and celebrating the life of the master of the espionage novel, John le Carré, by (re)reading his novels. His works are responsible for my deep love of the genre and are the standard to which all other spy novels are held. RIP Mr. Cornwell. You will be sorely missed, sir.
#7days7books #Day3 is another cheat and is more an author that has had an impact on my life, rather than a book. The tagged book is the first spy novel I remember reading, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold taught me a slow burn can = great reward, & Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy lit the fire of my obsession with Cold War spy thrillers. Espionage novels are some of my favorites and Le Carre is the standard all others are measured against.
pickLoved the suspenseful scene development, and the characters, particularly Inspector Mendel. Some killer lines as well, clearly heartfelt and lived through...”He knew how intelligent men could be broken by the stupidity of their superiors, how weeks of patient work night and day could be cast aside by such a man.” Read in company with my new friend in Perast featured in the photo. Very enjoyable 8/10
pickI really enjoyed listening to this book, so much so that I have borrowed the next in the Smiley series A Murder Of Quality. I love the writing, the character of George Smiley, the Cold War , definitely a 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟read #audiosewer
The weather is kind enough now for #litsywalking and I have a wonderful voice narrating John Le Carre‘s tagged book. Some cloud about so hoping for more rain🙏🏼. Love Le Carre‘s British formality and vivid descriptions, and George Smiley is a favourite character😍 #audiowalk #englishliterature
pickAs much a murder mystery as a spy novel. The plot is not as complex as in other le Carre novels, but it is an enjoyable read. I liked finding out more about Smiley's past.
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pickOnce I get my library pile under control again, I‘ll definitely be reading more of Le Carré‘s work; this was quickly-paced and crisply-written, and even though it took me longer than I would have liked due to various reasons, I enjoyed it immensely. #callforthedead #johnlecarre
Lots to read, lots of coloring books, and lots of “NCIS” — I‘d say that‘s a recipe for a pretty good day off. #callforthedead #johnlecarre
I‘m hoping to finish this before I leave work tonight, because my pile is getting out of control again! 😂 Chances are good, it‘s only 151 pages. It‘s also eminently readable, so as long as no one bothers me, I should be golden! #callforthedead #johnlecarre
I fell pretty out of rhythm with reading these last few days; I actually ended up being admitted to the hospital Friday night and staying through Sunday. The good news: nothing horrifying is wrong with me. The bad news: the issues that remain are all likely linked to my anxiety, which is much more difficult to wrangle. But maybe getting back to reading and writing and singing will get me back into shape, so here we go. #callforthedead #johnlecarre
pickI fully expected to not like this book. Espionage Thriller is not a genre I usually choose. I did not hate it, I ended up enjoying the fast pace of this book.
We homeschool, when my son reads, I try to read. Today he wants to talk a lot, and the cat wants in my lap.
Starting this today. I can then ✅ espionage thriller off my challenge list.
pickEleanor Wachtel (of CBC Writers & Co podcast) recently interviewed John le Carré about his new novel, A Legacy of Spies, and it piqued my interest. Never having read any of the George Smiley series, I decided to start with the very first one, originally published in 1961. It's excellent; a sort of murder mystery/spy combo. Twisty and clever. The #audiobook is performed by the late Ralph Cosham, who also did many of Louise Penny's books.
pickI enjoyed meeting Smiley for the first time, getting to know his backstory which is only really hinted at in the later, better-known novels. This is more of a crime story with spies than a spy novel proper, and it's a bit clunky and dated, truth be told. Yet even in this early effort Le Carré is capable of wonderful writing. Definitely worth reading if you're a fan.
I can't find anywhere that Le Carre gives a detailed description of George Smiley's faithless wife, beyond stating she was beautiful, but she always struck me as a #blondebombshell type. #character2017
Let's give this a try! Heard Nancy Pearl discussing books she reads every year, and she mentioned the entire George Smiley series, which she revisits in its entirely. #currentlyreading #beachreads
pickMy first review on litsy and the first smiley novel.
For those readers who have read the tinker tailor trilogy this short novel fills in much of the spymasters back story. A very well plotted and atmospheric domestic investigation, loved it.
pickThis was a bit of a revelation to me. Pacy and intelligent and really quite finely written. There were moments when the recapping was slightly overdone but there was always just enough information to keep it from being unnecessary or tedious. I would never have tried it without Litsy but I'll definitely read more! (I know the photo is from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy but it's such a great image)
Last month's photo challenge revealed that I don't own a single spy novel and I don't think I've ever read one either, so I'm starting at the beginning with the first George Smiley. Here we go...
pickMy first le Carré. I found this gorgeous Penguin from 1964 in my local used bookstore and bought it for 20 shekels. I can't imagine the journey it took here but it looked like it had never been read.
It has now. Under 160 pages with George Smiley right at its heart. Spies, agents, murder, Communists, Jews, tradecraft and a fight on a bridge. Absolutely marvelous.
