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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
 
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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Paperback)

by John Le Carre (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Sceptre; New edition edition (4 Feb 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0340739649
  • ISBN-13: 978-0340739648
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 37,767 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #17 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Authors, A-Z > L > Le Carre, John > Complete List
    #92 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Thrillers > Spy Stories

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Product Description

Review

The quintessential Cold War spy novel (a sub-genre of the thriller as close to the detective story as is possible), still packs in its climactic revelation one of the most powerful plot twists of modern times. The writing, atmosphere, and moral debate are all leanly, ambiguously and thrillingly effective. Only The Third Man and some of Eric Ambler's novels rival le Carre at his best. Spy Alec Leamas has left the Circus, and is loudly expressing his disenchantment with it. Picked up by the East Germans, it looks likely that he will defect, but nothing is quite what it seems, especially when George Smiley is involved. (Kirkus UK)


Guardian

'He is an exceptionally good reader' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (8)
3 star:
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2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Classic Cold War Spy Novel, 19 Mar 2004
By Geoff Chilton (Lincolnshire) - See all my reviews
This book has a ring of authenticity about it. The seedier side of London and Berlin is beautifully described. There are no Bond-like gadgets, car chases or roof-top pursuits, yet I found this to be one of the best novels of the genre I have ever read; more gripping, and in some places faster-paced, than a lot of action-based thrillers. The plot is revealed rather like an onion - sections of skin peeled back to reveal another and yet another. The character of Alec Leamas remains elusive throughout and at the end I felt I still didn't know him; he is secretive, like the Service he works for. Despite this I never felt cheated or disappointed. This is a great read, indeed nothing less than a modern classic.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Calculated Cold War thriller, 24 Nov 2003
By Viddy (Ilford, Essex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
John le Carre's 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' is a precise, calculating thriller following the exploits of a British spy carrying out his final mission for Her Majesty's Secret Service. Written at the height of the Cold War, the book gives an accurate insight into espionage during the 1950s and 60s.

The story is always interesting and everything le Carre describes is for a purpose, some of which is not immediately apparent at the time but makes sense later. The writer paints the scenes he describes with clarity and distinction, and the characters are very believable. The plot itself is a carefully planned one and allows the reader to constantly come up with ideas about what may be happening before blowing them away when you think you have solved.

The fact that the book was written in the early 1960s means that some sections are quite politically incorrect. However at all times this gives an authentic edge to the story, as it accurately describes people of that day and age. The level of thought and detail le Carre has put into the book is impressive.

Overall, this is one of the best spy novels I have read. Although there is little in the way of Bond-style action, the psychological twists and turns in it makes for a more genuine, tense story. If you are looking for an alternative to contemporary Tom Clancy-style tech-spy-thrillers, le Carre's works are a must-read.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Classic of the Genre, 28 April 2003
"The Spy Who Came In From The Cold" is, without doubt, the classic Cold War thriller. It is the novel by which others of the genre have to be judged. Almost all will be found wanting.
For this work Le Carre's prose is lean with not a word wasted. Indeed, some readers may find the style too austere. However, to my mind, it captures the mood of the time. There is not an ounce of fat and every word counts.
The problem which the young reader may encounter (i.e. anybody born after, say, 1985) is that the story is set in a world far removed from today. The knowledge that Le Carre would have assumed even the casual reader had is now lacking. A little bit of background research may be required so that the concepts of "Democratic Germany" and "The Party" can be appreciated.
Nevertheless, this is an excellent introduction to both Le Carre and also the fascinating Cold War era.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
This is probable the best spy thriller you will ever read.... If there is a perfect spy novel, then this is it. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Mr. C. D. Gordon

5.0 out of 5 stars Pawn sacrifice
Having read, and in many cases re-read, everything le Carre has written, including the disappointing and excessively mannered recent work, this is the book I keep coming back to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bill

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but it is rather slow in the middle ...
All in all, this is a good read. It has good twists and a poignant ending. However it lacks pace occasionally, and would have benefited from more action, and fewer lengthy... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Emanon

4.0 out of 5 stars a damn good read
If you are looking for a book to polish off a few evenings this is perfect, a genuine classic. The whole atmosphere belongs to the politer black and white world of of Graham... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gargantua Pantaloon

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping stuff
I recall reading this at school and how it stood out from everything else. I just read it again as a 35 year old and it really does stand up as a classic of it's kind. Read more
Published 4 months ago by G-man

5.0 out of 5 stars a masterclass in thriller writing
Somehow i've managed to avoid reading le Carre - although i seem to remember reading The Russia House and being fairly unimpressed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by P. Perry

5.0 out of 5 stars Can the means justify the end when the end in itself is of dubious value?
The novels of John le Carré, of which The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is one of the best, not only contain blistering plots and precisely crafted characterisation but... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Trevor Coote

3.0 out of 5 stars Classic Le Carre
A cleverly written spy thriller which manages to be exciting whilst still realistic. There's nothing glamorous about the life of the spy in a Le Carre novel. Read more
Published 8 months ago by BookWorm

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever
Although I read this a while ago now I would say it is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a world weary main character and a fantastic plot that twists and turns and keeps you... Read more
Published 13 months ago by S. Dusting

2.0 out of 5 stars This book by John Le Carre was a bit slow in starting
This book by John Le Carre was a bit slow in starting but then the plot quickened and as I read I thought I was on the journey. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Andy Capp

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