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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

By John le Carré
Series: Penguin Essentials
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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
In The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré, readers are drawn into a gripping Cold War espionage narrative. The story follows British agent Alec Leamas, who is nearing the end of his career, as he navigates a complex plan to infiltrate East Germany. The novel masterfully explores themes of betrayal, moral ambiguity, and the intricate world of intelligence operations.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy tense Cold War espionage tales filled with moral complexities and intricate plots. Set against a bleak and atmospheric backdrop, it delves into the murky world of double agents and deceit, offering a gripping narrative that keeps you guessing. Perfect for readers who appreciate psychological depth and a realistic portrayal of espionage.

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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

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

The classic Cold War thriller, available as a Penguin Essential for the first time.

The Cold War is at its most chill. Alec Leamas, a seasoned British Intelligence officer whose entire East German network has been arrested or shot, leaves West Berlin for London, believing his career is over. But his master, Control, knows that Leamas is good for a last mission—one that will allow him to take his revenge on the ruthless East German counterintelligence chief who has killed or imprisoned his agents. And lurking discreetly in the background, George Smiley will be pulling the operational strings.

Series: Penguin Essentials

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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?

John le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold garners high praise, with reviewers describing it as passionate, intense, and a remarkable masterpiece in espionage literature. Renowned authors like David Nicholls and Graham Greene regard it as an exceptional spy story, while John Banville and Robert Harris highlight its timelessness and quality.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241978955

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 August 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 180.0mm

Weight: 152g

Pages: 272

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction John le Carré Penguin Books Series: Penguin Essentials Spy & Espionage Thriller

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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