RobboM Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/dec/13/john-le-carre-author-of-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-dies-aged-89 Good innings, terrific writer. I grew up in Cornwall and close to where he lived. I remember my friend's family had a signed copy of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy they said from a nearby neighbour, though that didn't mean much to me for a long time. That family fished out of a local cove and my friend's brother was given a credit on one of Le Carre's books for advice given on walking moorland at night .... mind you the brother also spent time inside for smuggling. I have a very Cornish name and one of the very few times I have seen it was in one of le Carre's books. Apparantly he used to pick names out of the Penzance phone directory. I'm sad not to have any more of his books to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cade Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Probably the best espionage writer there ever was. Having worked for both MI5 and MI6 during the 1950s and 60s, he knew exactly what he was writing about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auld Reekin' Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 I just finished reading a book by him a few days ago: "The Pigeon Tunnel", which is a series of memoirs rather than a novel. Very interesting and enjoyable - he certainly led an amazing, eventful, and full life - and within which he very modestly and unassumingly recounts his encounters with many powerful and influential figures of the past 60-70 years. He was also a very good writer and came across as a decent man, and one who cared deeply about those suffering from oppression and authoritarianism throughout the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted December 13, 2020 Share Posted December 13, 2020 Best writer about the world of espionage but beyond that a great writer full stop. His experience in the secret service was actually surprisingly brief but his novels for decades afterwards rang true however true they actually were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Findlay Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 Superb author, Smiley's people probably one of the best espionage series I've ever watched on television and Alec Guinness for me was George Smiley. Though to be fair, Gary Oldman did do a very reasonable job in the film version of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. A man who definitely knew his subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Pupkin Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 (edited) 😢😢😢 The Smiley books are brilliant. Have read em all. I’m currently half way through “The Night Manager “ RIP John, a true literary great . Edited December 14, 2020 by Rupert Pupkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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