• Call for the Dead

  • A George Smiley Novel
  • By: John le Carré
  • Narrated by: Michael Jayston
  • Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,815 ratings)

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Call for the Dead  By  cover art

Call for the Dead

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: Michael Jayston
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Publisher's summary

George Smiley is no one's idea of a spy - which is perhaps why he's such a natural. But Smiley apparently made a mistake. After a routine security interview, he concluded that the affable Samuel Fennan had nothing to hide. Why, then, did the man from the Foreign Office shoot himself in the head only hours later? Or did he?

The heart-stopping tale of intrigue that launched both novelist and spy, Call for the Dead is an essential introduction to le Carre's chillingly amoral universe.

©2012 John le Carre (P)2012 Penguin Audio

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What listeners say about Call for the Dead

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It felt like Sherlock Holmes in post WWII,

I did struggle to finish it. it just keep dragging on.
Audible suggested this since I really like James Bond books. Nope I'm sticking with James.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Smiley origins

Having read the more well known Smiley books I'm going back to make sure I read them all. Smiley's brain is at work here as in all the stories - but perhaps this is a little more uncertain man. Thoroughly entertaining for those who like their spy stories to be tense and cerebral.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a story from its time

listening to this I had to remind myself that this book was written decades ago. often through our this book, events from the 1920s to the 1950s are referenced as if they just happened. It helps to remind yourself that for the purposes of this book they just had. so if you're not familiar with some of the European political situations from 1920 to 1950 it wouldn't hurt to understand those walking into this book. But they're not really necessary to fully enjoy this story

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

First of George Smiley But Not Last

When I saw that a new book about George Smiley was to be published in a few days, I decided I'd better catch up and read the first in the series to find out who George Smiley was. I had heard of him from the books and movies, especially "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" but I had not read the books. I am so glad I started with Book #1 and found out about the short, slightly fat George Smiley. And became another smitten fan of John LeCarre'. The descriptions of the people and the character of each is so well written that you can feel like you can touch them. There are lots of good authors but LeCarre' set the measure for spy novels. I listened in audible and enjoyed the voice of the narrator Michael Jayston.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Introduction to George Smiley

This is the first story of George Smiley, British Spy but it’s not the guns and supervillains like James Bond this is true cerebral espionage.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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John leCarre is just a darn good writer

Intriguing plot, very well written. I'm not crazy about spy novels in general, but leCarre is always good.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good. But he needed a editor

This book has been reviewed since 1961 so not much to add but to say it's an early work. Shows some rough edges. A few wondering into the weeds with long winded descriptions of stuff not relevant to the story. Over all a good read and a must read for Smiley fans

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not as good as I had hoped.

This was my first le Carré. I don't think it was really my style. I wasn't really charmed by the main character. Maybe this book that needs to be listened to more than once but this time I wanted it to end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sophisticated writing and well performed

Sophisticated. Written intelligently and thoughtfully. Michael Jayston’s performance is a good match for the novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

as enjoyable as i rememberdd

Le Carre is a beautiful writer. The narration is very good. I enjoyed it as much as I did when it originally came ouy.

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