The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

A George Smiley Novel, Book 3

By: John le Carré

Narrated by: Michael Jayston

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

A number-one New York Times best seller for 34 weeks and the book that launched John le Carré'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.

©1963; 1991 le Carre Productions; David Cornwell (P)2012 Penguin Audio

What a classic.

One of the finest of Le Carre's books wonderfully read. One of his darkest and most grim stories yet deeply moving and deeply thoughtful.

Perfection in writing meets perfection in presentation

This classical spy-novel is probably the best in the genre. It combines a suspenseful and twisted plot with deep insights on the profession of espionage and on loyalty and patriotism in general. Michael Jayston adds to this literary perfection with his impeccable narration and dramatic presentation. Together they create an auditory masterpiece.

His Best Book

I believe this to be the best of Le Carres' George Smiley books. Jayston was an excellent narrator

The Best Spy Novel Ever Written

Some say its the best spy novel ever written. Others say that John Le Carre's next novel, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is the best ever written, but this book, Le Carre's third novel, put the writer on the map and in league with the best of the spytellers.

It's on the New York Times lists of the best 100 novels ever written. It was turned into a damned fine movie in 1965, starring Richard Burton as the main character, Alec Leamas.

It's about to be turned into a TV mini-series by the same people who made recent mini-series out of Le Carre's other novels, The Night Manager and The Little Drummer Girl.

I saw the 1965 movie and loved it. I put it up there with Three Days of the Condor and Spy Game as the best spy movies I've ever seen.

I read the book about thirty years ago and loved it.

I listened to the BBC radio dramatization, and loved that.

Now, I'm listening to the unabridged novel for the first time--and loving it.

I suspect that you'll love it, too.

Huh?

I didn’t understand a lick of the plot and I never thought I would but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narrator was stellar and I certainly understood enough to know we were dealing with high espionage in Cold War Europe. I lived through those times, which were awful while they lasted. It’s taken me this long to actually enjoy visiting there. Nostalgia, of sorts.

Great Smiley

This is another great Smiley book, though George does not play a large part in it. Le Carre continues to paint beautiful pictures with his words. well worth the listen.

one of the best Spy stories I have ever read

Excellent plot and great narration! I could not stop listening! going for the other John Le Carre books.

Exceptional Writer

What did you love best about The Spy Who Came in from the Cold?

The mood and tone reflects the deceptive lives of the spy world. It comes across as believable.

Amazing book.

Very entertaining book. Narrated very well considering all the accents. This book is a classic for a reason.

Great story. Great commentary.

Great commentary, gets you right to the year when story takes place. The story is definitely top class.