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Call for the Dead

By John le Carré
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Call for the Dead by John le Carré is a gripping tale of espionage and mystery, where intelligence officer George Smiley is tasked with investigating the apparent suicide of a civil servant. As Smiley delves deeper, he uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal that challenges both his professional and personal life in the shadowy world of Cold War intrigue. This compelling narrative sets the stage for le Carré's exploration of the morally complex world of spies.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you enjoy intricate spy dramas and atmospheric tales of suspense, this story may fascinate you. With its intelligent plotting and intricate character studies, it delves into the shadowy world of espionage, offering a gripping and sophisticated read for fans of crime and thrillers.

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Call for the Dead

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A beautiful 60th anniversary special edition of the novel that introduced the world to George Smiley, now with a new introduction by John le Carré.

After a routine security check by George Smiley, civil servant Samuel Fennan apparently kills himself. When Smiley finds Circus head Maston is trying to blame him for the man's death, he begins his own investigation, meeting with Fennan's widow to find out what could have led him to such desperation. But on the very day that Smiley is ordered off the enquiry, he receives an urgent letter from the dead man. Do the East Germans—and their agents—know more about this man's death than the Circus previously imagined?

Le Carré's debut novel, Call for the Dead, introduced the tenacious and retiring George Smiley in a gripping tale of espionage and deceit.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Call for the Dead by John le Carré is widely praised for its intelligence and thrilling narrative, with engaging twists that elevate it above typical spy novels. It's described as brilliantly realistic with constant suspense, showcasing le Carré’s masterful writing and profound literary contribution to the spy genre. Critics highlight his ability to mix original storytelling with deep insights, ensuring his works endure as essential reads.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241521809

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 06 May 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 205.0mm

Weight: 235g

Pages: 160

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction John le Carré Penguin Books Penguin Classics Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

John le Carre was born in 1931. For six decades, he wrote novels that came to define our age. The son of a confidence trickster, he spent his childhood between boarding school and the London underworld. At sixteen he found refuge at the University of Bern, then later at Oxford. A spell of teaching at Eton led him to a short career in British Intelligence (MI5 & 6). He published his debut novel, Call for the Dead, in 1961 while still a secret servant. His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, secured him a worldwide reputation, which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley's People. At the end of the Cold War, le Carre widened his scope to explore an international landscape including the arms trade and the War on Terror. His memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel, was published in 2016 and the last George Smiley novel, A Legacy of Spies, appeared in 2017. He died on 12 December 2020. His posthumous novel, Silverview, was published in 2021.

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