Call for the Dead

A George Smiley Novel

By: John le Carré

Narrated by: Michael Jayston

Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins

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

what a Joy!!!

What a brilliant writer. I could not stop listening. He handled a difficult subject masterfully...politics. The only problem about the book was that it ended too soon.

Good start for le Carre's Smiley

Would you listen to Call for the Dead again? Why?

Yes, George Smiley is introduced! Anyone who is a fan of George should read Call for the Dead.

What did you like best about this story?

George Smiley's skepticism and his out of the box methodology.

What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?

The narrator was brilliant.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, it was bold for what takes place in the theater.

Any additional comments?

I got what I wanted from Call for the Dead. I had not read le Carre and was familiar from movie and television adaptations. I will try each of the Smiley novel as I enjoy good espionage.

Often confusing - don't give up

The story was read perfectly without overacting the characters which often the case with dramatizations of books, which this is not. It is however a bit confusing with plot and characters if you are not paying %close attention. This may not be the case if reading the book but it almost seems like the author assumes you already know 30% of the background story.

In any case it is summed up well at the end and I wasn't disappointed.

Spies Never Retire

Wonderful descriptions of the beginnings of the cold war. The supposed suicide of a spy sets in motion the discovery and downfall of a spy ring. They're elimination of members only points the finger directly at them. George Smiley is more realistic than James Bond.

Interesting Story

I am not a big fan of spy stuff, but I actually have listened to this book twice. Didn't plan to but I was into it before I recognized it. I can see how readers/listeners who ARE into spy stuff would find George Smiley/s story and personality irresistible.

It's never going to be my genre, but this is a great representative of that genre. And those who favor this genre would be well served by this book.

great book wonderfully read

loved this narration. this is a little gem of a book and quite miniature compared to Le Carre's later novels. but like miniature positions it's attention to detail and nuance is brilliant. the narrator does it full justice

Incredibly narration and great prose!

Incredibly narration and great prose. I have avoided John le Carré novels for some unknown reason and after listening to "Call for the Dead" I'll be listening to all of them in short order. I can not recommend this audible version enough.

rare skill to tell an interesting story in 4 hours

this was my third or fourth lacarre title. Great story teller. love the unassuming lead character in a complex spy thriller. also that he can paint a detailed picture and plot succinctly

Masterful

This is my first time listening to a John le Carre novel and I came away seriously impressed and impacted by the experience. These are the treasures that keep me coming back to audiobooks. There is that feeling I get sometimes, listening to the perfect marriage of a storyteller and narrator both at the height of their talents, which bring such pleasure that I sigh aloud. I don't believe that I've ever listened to something from Michael Jayston before, but I will certainly look for his work in the future. And as for le Carre, I haven't read something this intelligent in the thriller genre - he bests Ian Fleming, in my opinion.

nice opening to series

i have read a couple of le carre's novels and liked them, (Constant Gardiner & From the Cold being excellent) and thought i'd start Smiley series and see how far i wanted to go, at least to Tinker, Tailor & then watch the film. I like the mystery aspect of this one, but I really like how convoluted the spy motive aspect of these get. I may like Le Carre more than i thought, maybe I waited too long to keep up with him. Narrator is good and I think the writing style is in general better from european authors.