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

Great Read

Le Carre at his best. Classic Cold War thriller. The reading by Michael Jayston was excellent.

Excellent narration!

Excellent narration! Not surprisingly, the book is MUCH better than the film by Richard Burton.

The Tale of Our Time

A Thrilling and sad story of the amorality of the art of espionage. This book is thought provoking and as relevant today as the day it was written.

A Bit Slow

Really 3.5 stars. This is my second le Carre novel. They read too slow to keep me engaged but the writing is solid.

In from the cold.

Rereading this after many years, and it was no disappointment. Can’t write them much better than this. Michael Jayston is the perfect narrator, and it was thoroughly enjoyable listening to his performance. I started this by listening to Mr. Jayston’s reading of Call for the dead. It was a perfect review of George Smiley and the Cold War characters. I highly recommend both John LeCarre books. Great stories with fantastic narration.

A complex and intriguing story

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

The plot was most enjoyable. I envisioned Richard Burton in each scene, since I had previously viewed the movie.

What other book might you compare The Spy Who Came in from the Cold to and why?

Perhaps "The Day of the Jackal." Both books were very thoughtful and precise in articulating the characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

The opening scene with the spy crossing the check point.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

I would state that LeCarre is a thinking person's author.

Quite Solid, worth a Listen

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot kept me guessing. You really get to like the main character and there are twists that seem obvious but you can't quite figure out until the end. The story does end a bit abruptly with an epilogue - I feel like it needed a half a chapter just to tie things up a bit.

What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?

The performance is very good, changing voices even genders, makes it clear who is speaking, even during long conversations.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not easy to turn off, but chapter's are sufficently long that you don't feel ashamed to stop for a period - almost like the end of an episode - not quite cliffhangers, but definately more questions to be answered.

Michael Jayston- exceptional

I was mesmerized by his voice- as rich and resonant and skillful as that of Richard Burton.

A classic. Great to revisit after Legacy of Spies

After reading Le Carre's Legacy of Spies, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold is even more poignant and tragic.

I have no idea

how to review this book without spoiling it, and you really should experience Smiley novels for yourself. It's the closest thing to being a spy most of us will ever experience, unless we move to North Korea, where everyone is a spy.