The Spy Who Came In From the Cold

by John Le Carré

Paperback

English language

Published Aug. 8, 2001 by Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc..

ISBN:: 978-0-7434-4253-4

(66 reviews)

In this classic, John le Carré's third novel and the first to earn him international acclaim, he created a world unlike any previously experienced in suspense fiction. With unsurpassed knowledge culled from his years in British Intelligence, le Carré brings to light the shadowy dealings of international espionage in the tale of a British agent who longs to end his careeer but undertakes one final, bone-chilling assignment. When the last agent under his command is killed and Alec Leamas is called back to London, he hopes to come in from the cold for good. His spymaster, Control, however, has other plans. Determined to bring down the head of East German Intelligence and topple his organization, Control once more sends Leamas into the fray -- this time to play the part of the dishonored spy and lure the enemy to his ultimate defeat. - Back cover.

1 edition

jsatk@sfba.club reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In from the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

At times borders on cynicism, but then you have to remember the cynicism of the whole Berlin Wall.

A bit dry and dragging in the middle once Alec begins the 50 pages or so of interviews by Fielder. But man… wow… that ending. The last 30 or so pages really made me go “oh this is why this is so highly regarded”. The conversation in the car between Liz and Alec that, to put it poorly, is about the two sides of the same coin of capitalism and communism is one for the ages. I worried it’d be a little dumb but he never gives in to simple answers and considers how complex people and ideologies in practice are. The disgustingness of working with a Nazi for the greater good doesn’t sit right with anyone, particularly you, the reader.

What a book.

Bridgman reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I've heard for years that [a:John le Carré|1411964|John le Carré|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1606816199p2/1411964.jpg] was the best example of a writer whose spy novels were the most literary, and after reading [b:The Spy Who Came In from the Cold|19494|The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (George Smiley, #3)|John le Carré|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327719782l/19494.SY75.jpg|1177001], I agree.
The problem with this kind of book for me is me; I'm can't follow intricate plots. It's a failing. The kind of friend I'd give or recommend this book to would be the kind who's good at chess and understands philosophy. I'm not saying you need to be good at those to appreciate it, but it would help.
Excerpt:

A man who lives a part, not to others but alone, is exposed to obvious psychological dangers. In itself, the practice of deception is not particularly exacting; it is a matter of experience, of professional expertise, it is a facility …

A man who lives a part, not to others but alone, is exposed to obvious psychological dangers. In itself, the practice of deception is not particularly exacting; it is a matter of experience, of professional expertise, it is a facility most of us can acquire. But while a confidence trickster, a play-actor or a gambler can return from his performance to the ranks of his admirers, the secret agent enjoys no such relief. For him, deception is first a matter of self-defense. He must protect himself not only from without but from within, and against the most natural of impulses: though he earn a fortune, his role may forbid him the purchase of a razor; though he be erudite, it can befall him to mumble nothing but banalities; though he be an affectionate husband and father, he must under all circumstances withhold himself from those in whom he should naturally confide.

(8:30)

martattack reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Spies!!!!!

This was a nice read considering that John Le Carré (pseudonym) worked for actual British Intelligence. Crazy to think about how this wretched chess game has played out all throughout the 20th century, so many lives, so much money, all in the name of two silly little ideologies.

On another note I wonder how spy work must be happening in the digital era? There's something romantic about the spy who does things analogically, as is depicted in this book (I guess I romanticize the analog in general).

I must end saying that it's written in the 60s and it shows! Clearly a book by a man for men. As a ~~woke postmodern I just cringe at classic depictions of the tough, stoic man who protects the confused, naïve ingenue. But hey.... The zeitgeist!

Anyhoo,

Spies!!!!!

hunterowens reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

classic

5 stars

great "goes to berlin" book

georgewhatup reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Listened to on audiobook.

A large chunk of this book I thought it was an enjoyable time but a little standard and predictable and then the ending added a delightful thematic twist to everything that came before.

Great read.

nex3 reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

None

3 stars

of all the Le Carré I've read, this one dives most deeply into the political mind of the British cold warrior. I may not like that mind but I certainly find it fascinating

Jonathan Zacsh reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'GoodReads'

4 stars

Definitely not the ending I expected. Good twist.

Matto reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'GoodReads'

4 stars

After all these years, the suspense is still there. A very enjoyable book!

Bryan Fordham reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I'm not sure why I've never read this before, and now I'm sad I hadn't read it sooner. Hands down, the best spy novel I've ever read. I totally understand why this is a classic.

Funny thing is, I had sort of figured out the final plot twist, but then became convinced I was wrong. I was still surprised in the end.

Had started this last week, but had a gap because of Irma.

(Audible audiobook)

Sharyl reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This was a dated, yet intriging read. Somber, and sadly cyclical. I suppose I saw that coming, though. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is an historical novel as well as a spy novel.

matt reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Utilitarian, sparse prose, but a solid spy thriller. Good summer read - couldn't put it down in the final stretch. Bit of a downer though.

Lynn reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I was looking for intelligent fiction, and this was. Pretty good.

David B. reviewed The Spy Who Came In From the Cold by John Le Carré

Review of 'The Spy Who Came In From the Cold' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This one is great. The seedy, angry Alec Leamas in tension with the cold, ironic world of espionage. A heartbreaker.

Incidentally, the copy editing in the edition I read was terrible. It's Alec Leamas, not Alex Leamas or Alec Leamus.

I mistakenly thought this was Le Carre's second book, but it turns out that was A Murder of Quality, so I guess I'll be doubling back now.