"Call for the Dead", set in London in the late 1950s, finds George Smiley engaged in the humdrum job of security vetting. But when a Foreign Office civil servant commits suicide after an apparently unproblematic interview, Smiley is baffled. Refusing to believe that Fennan shot himself soon after making a cup of cocoa and asking the exchange to telephone him in the morning, Smiley decides to investigate - only to uncover a murderous conspiracy with its roots in his own secret wartime past. Starring the award-winning Simon Russell Beale as Smiley, and with a distinguished cast including Kenneth Cranham, Eleanor Bron and Anna Chancellor, this tense, thrilling dramatisation perfectly captures the atmosphere of le Carre's masterful debut novel.
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Review
'Brilliant. Realistic. Constant suspense . . . excellent writing'
(Observer )'Intelligent, thrilling, surprising . . . makes most cloak-and-dagger stuff taste of cardboard'
(Sunday Telegraph ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.About the Author
John le Carré was born in 1931 and was educated at the universities of Bern and Oxford. He has written seventeen highly-acclaimed novels. John le Carré lives in Cornwall.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As always, meticulous plotted with some strong observations in terms of character. I wrote this review in disgust at one of the reviewers on here who thought that it was too far fetched that a spy would join an amateur dramatic society to meet with a contact. They should stick to James Bond, which is far removed from the real world of esponiage. Le Carre's spy writing generally does not embellish on the technical wizardry of the CIA, instead relying on character and human nature to sell itself to the reader. It is far more realistic than other novels, showing that spying is more mundane than the stereotypical Hollywood or James Bond image. This is what makes Le Carre's work more humane, and that is true of Call for the Dead, which delves deeply into the pysche of the dead man and his wife. One of the most memorable bits of the book for me is the way that Smiley deals with someone in his house who has been sent to murder him; almost the anti-Bond you might say! Well worth the purchase price.
60 of 61 people found the following review helpful
By Rowena Hoseason
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is the book which started it all; the gripping series of intrigue, betrayal and an examination of human nature which has become the ultimate espionage collection.
This is the first of Le Carre's books and it contains the secret origin of George Smiley AND a rippingly good little espionage mystery. It introduces Mundt, too, who becomes rather more important in later novels. Le Carre set out to provide an antidote to Ian Fleming's James Bond, and Smiley truly is the thinking person's hero; a man who considers everything, fluffs sudden decisions, can be nakedly human when it comes to the woman he loves -- and chillingly calculating in achieving his other goals.
It's also a really taut thriller, not like modern gargantuan monsters of 900-odd pages. Back in 1960-something, Le Carre could cram an encyclopedia of insight into a single sentence. It's also fascinating to find that although written nearly half a century ago, 'Call For The Dead' is just as compelling as modern fiction can be. As a fan of 'period spy stories', the books of Alan Furst being high on that list, I'm delighted to discover that the originals are every bit as good.
Two hours of reading bliss.
9/10
This is the first of Le Carre's books and it contains the secret origin of George Smiley AND a rippingly good little espionage mystery. It introduces Mundt, too, who becomes rather more important in later novels. Le Carre set out to provide an antidote to Ian Fleming's James Bond, and Smiley truly is the thinking person's hero; a man who considers everything, fluffs sudden decisions, can be nakedly human when it comes to the woman he loves -- and chillingly calculating in achieving his other goals.
It's also a really taut thriller, not like modern gargantuan monsters of 900-odd pages. Back in 1960-something, Le Carre could cram an encyclopedia of insight into a single sentence. It's also fascinating to find that although written nearly half a century ago, 'Call For The Dead' is just as compelling as modern fiction can be. As a fan of 'period spy stories', the books of Alan Furst being high on that list, I'm delighted to discover that the originals are every bit as good.
Two hours of reading bliss.
9/10
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Call for the dead - The first George Smiley story, brought vividly to life
17 Mar 2010
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the first of a series of BBC adaptations of all John Le Carre's Smiley books, starring Simon Russell Beale as Smiley. Unlike the other reviewers I've never read the book, so cannot comment on textual accuracy.
The story introduces us to George Smiley, the devious, cunning and ruthless spy who presents an image of bumbling donnish eccentricity to the world. The story centres around the fall out from the suicide of a man who was suspected of being a spy, but cleared by Smiley only hours before his death. An incendiary suicide note raises questions about Smiley's own conduct, he must investigate not only to get to the real truth, but also to clear his own name. Things soon get deep and dark, as layers of obfuscation are peeled back to reveal a conspiracy that has its roots in Smiley's own past activities in pre-war Germany.
This is really a gripping listen. As with all Le Carre novels there is a rich, complex atmosphere of paranoia, coupled with a twisting, turning plot. The actors really give of their best to bring the characters to life, especially Beale, who evokes memories of Alec Guinness, but manages to put his own stamp on the role. Plaudits must also go to Kenneth Cranham as the practical and worldly Mendel, a Special Branch officer who gets drawn into Smiley's investigations.
The sound production is similarly well done, the whole thing really evokes the feeling of clammy foggy London, with the furtive, paranoid world of the protagonists.
There are two hour long episodes, each on a separate disc, in a normal size jewel case. There are limited liner notes with a short essay about Le Carre and a cast list.
This is a quality production, I look forward to hearing the others in the series.
The story introduces us to George Smiley, the devious, cunning and ruthless spy who presents an image of bumbling donnish eccentricity to the world. The story centres around the fall out from the suicide of a man who was suspected of being a spy, but cleared by Smiley only hours before his death. An incendiary suicide note raises questions about Smiley's own conduct, he must investigate not only to get to the real truth, but also to clear his own name. Things soon get deep and dark, as layers of obfuscation are peeled back to reveal a conspiracy that has its roots in Smiley's own past activities in pre-war Germany.
This is really a gripping listen. As with all Le Carre novels there is a rich, complex atmosphere of paranoia, coupled with a twisting, turning plot. The actors really give of their best to bring the characters to life, especially Beale, who evokes memories of Alec Guinness, but manages to put his own stamp on the role. Plaudits must also go to Kenneth Cranham as the practical and worldly Mendel, a Special Branch officer who gets drawn into Smiley's investigations.
The sound production is similarly well done, the whole thing really evokes the feeling of clammy foggy London, with the furtive, paranoid world of the protagonists.
There are two hour long episodes, each on a separate disc, in a normal size jewel case. There are limited liner notes with a short essay about Le Carre and a cast list.
This is a quality production, I look forward to hearing the others in the series.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Introducing Smiley
Published 52 years ago. Excellent - his professionalism makes other writers seem like amateurs.
He makes you want to read more and more.
He makes you want to read more and more.
Published 11 days ago by byer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short and neat!
Been a while since I read a Le Carre and I'd forgotten just how good he is. This is a short tale, set in post war Britain and introduces George Smiley. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Bookie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect!
What else is there to say! Good novel, not to long, a period tale of post war intrigue and spies.
Published 1 month ago by simon payne
4.0 out of 5 stars
good read
Typically Le Carrie
I have read several of these books.
goes around and you have to remember what happens but very good read recommended
I have read several of these books.
goes around and you have to remember what happens but very good read recommended
Published 1 month ago by townie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read
Excellent Read. Keeps you guessing until the end. The ending doesn't disappoint. Written brilliantly. John Le Carre has got me hooked.
Published 1 month ago by Ian
4.0 out of 5 stars
The first smiley
I've read tinker tailor and this is my second le carre.I bought because I enjoyed tinker but also because the kindle edition was free. What a bargain! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. K. L. Hollinshed
4.0 out of 5 stars
Muffled Voices In The London Fog
I have two reservations about this production - firstly, the sound quality generally (it just isn't very clear/audible for long periods - bit of a handicap for an audiobook), and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Roger Risborough
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enter John Le Carre and George Smiley
"Call for the Dead" is writer Le Carre's first spy novel and a very good one it is. The overall style of this short book is quite mature and a worthy predecessor to "The Spy Who... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Blue in Washington
5.0 out of 5 stars
Call for the Dead
This is the first George Smiley novel and introduces us to the characters which, as a reader, you will come to love. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S Riaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Early Smiley tale
This is quite a short story, just 166 pages, however as in all the authors's tales you become drawn in and involved with all the characters. Read more
Published 3 months ago by lynne wells
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