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

Better late than never, for sure

Several decades late, this is my first le Carre. It feels awkward reviewing this master of the Cold War genre. We are fortunate to have a writer with an inside view chronicle those years and their cost with such a masterful use of language & detail. Deeply moving.

One of the greats

No one does espionage like LeCarre, and this is one of the best. As enjoyable as Tinker, Tailor, but less of a slow burn, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is loaded with tension.

Another Great

Loved it! This was another great book in the George Smiley line. Cannot wait to start the next novel!

Great Spy Story-The One All Others Get Compared

This was Book 3 for me in the enduring spy novels by le Carre' and it didn't disappoint. If you blinked you might miss a key word or phrase but until the last line is read or listened to you won't know what the Cold War spies endured. George Smiley is still around but where is he? Alec Leamas is the key character in this story. It is hard to determine the twists and turns and who is the good guy or who the bad and that was how it was between spies. One side was always working to turn one of the spies from the other side. In this case London vs East Germany. Alec and Liz were doomed from the beginning but the reader doesn't realize that until Smiley shows up and leaves her his card. Alec meanwhile has been cooped by Control (Head of MI-6 in London) to lead the other side on a merry chase. It must have been hard for leCarre' to remain on point while writing this novel because all of the conflicting events that occurred. Was Mundt a bad guy? Did he hate Jews? Was Leamus expendable. This novel is excellent and serves as the expert spy novel from its publication in 1963 to today. Richard Burton was the perfect Leamus in the movie. Now I'll read the latest book, 'Legacy of a Spy' but this one had to be read first since Legacy continues and end the story. Smiley must be 90 plus years old by now. I listened to this book in audible. The narrator, Michael Jayston did the first 8 books. He was terrific.

Intriguing Read/Listen

I stumbled upon a Le Carre' book, "A Legacy of Spies" due to a special offer by Audible. I enjoyed that book so much that I searched out more Le Carre' books. I settled upon "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." Once I started listening to the book, I couldn't really stop listening. the narrator did an outstanding job. The story is engaging. The story so WELL written.

I highly recommend this book (and "A Legacy of Spies"). You may want to read this one BEFORE you read the "Legacy" one, however.

intense

Kept my interest throughout. Very good writing. I enjoy spy novels and found this intriguing

A story of twists and turns

Hearing this so long after the wall came down was an interesting perspective. It was a reminder of past ‘enemies’.
I enjoyed it

Top notch

The best in the genre- each piece of information revealed makes you reconsider everything you know up to that point, until the pieces all fall into place at the end. Must read if you like espionage.

Great characters!

Great dialogue and characters. Fiddler and Peters were great! On to the next Smiley novel

Good reading!

Liked the plot !! Le Carré’s writing at his best in spite of the now dated circumstances. Excellent reader!