Call for the Dead: A George Smiley Novel (George Smiley Novels Book 1) Kindle Edition

Twisty turny thriller. The writing, the word choice is just so. Throughly enjoyable and quick read. Hard to put down.

After starting Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I recognized my need to begin the George Smiley series from the beginning to avoid missing the subtle implications rooted in Le Carre's earlier works. I was so glad I did, now having completed the whole series, I am better prepared to review each in order and in context of understanding the whole set.This story begins George Smiley's checkered and most eventful life of spying and marital discord, reflecting his uncanny observational skills hidden within his quiet and understated personality. His calm, deliberate ways adds to his lovable character and seemingly unassuming expectations.After completing all the Smiley novels, George will become a beloved member of your family in whom you could trust your life amid the corruption of the intelligence agencies of all nations. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, hoping it would not end, but so grateful for having experienced it and learning so much along the way.John Le Carre seemingly autobiographical tones and impressions fill this and subsequent volumes with wise observations of humanity, bureaucrats, and imperfect individuals trying survive while hoping to accomplish something important---something meaningful.The Audible narrations proved invaluable in creating overtones of the tragic comedy life too often imposes on the unsuspecting.In the end, this path of spycraft, deception, and intrigue will leave you warily suspicious of governments and politicians and their misguided aims for their programmatic impositions on all of us.This first and shorter installment sets the stage for the longer works that follow and is a most rewarding read.

The novels of "John LeCarre" are what real agents of government intelligence agencies read for recreation. They are extremely accurate as the draw on the real life experience of the author as a former employee of the British Secret Service. They are not sensational or Action-packed, but rather wholly based on the real work of intelligence-gathering agencies.

was in a mood for a Le Carré plot when I bought Call for the Dead . What I found out was that, if you have started reading Le Carré at the end, you do not want to go back to the beginning. Let me explain. When I began reading this author, I picked up his more recent work. There, while plotting and characters were presented like an interesting puzzle (rather typical of Le Carré), the pace remained natural, engaging.But not here. Sure, the prose is nice and clean. But I find a stiffness in both action and people. Characters move like pawns at a chess game. They are handled from above, with little life of their own. It gives the impression of being over-plotted, over-planned. It’s as if a very good student had decided to write the perfect little spy novel by following all the rules.There are aspects of the story I should get emotionally involved in. For instance, I should care about George Smiley, Le Carré’s ordinary man yet brilliant spy, and his marital problems. I should care about Smiley’s cheating wife. I actually don’t give a damn. Does that mean this is a bad novel? No, not at all. It is a novel that does engage the left side of the brain. And it does have a couple of surprises, including a coup de théâtre at the end. Last but not least, it does foretell an intriguing, cerebral voice in the world of spy literature.

This was Le Carre's first novel, written while he was still working at MI5. His introduction gives insight into his life at the time and his impressions of the British secret service. Of Le Carre's work, I first read The Spy Who Came In From the Cold and then went on to read the Karla trilogy. Satisfied with what I read, I then decided to go back in time from there and delve more into the history of George Smiley and his operations as part of the British secret service (AKA the circus) in this novel, Call for the Dead. While approaching this book with cautious optimism, I was pleasantly surprised to find Le Carre's gift of storytelling and his astute character development in top form despite the brevity of the novel.The novel underscores the initiation of George Smiley into the secret service and his withered aspirations of being a 17th century German literary academician. It is also a well delivered murder mystery that keeps you turning the pages in anticipation to see how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. The novel's pace is exemplary, its moments of suspense, action, and gloomy introspection are strung together in the right proportions. New readers of Le Carre will find this a very accessible introduction to his work. Overall, this novel delivers the exciting elements of espionage and murder as seen through the venerable and world-weary eyes of fiction's most believable British spy, George Smiley.

It is my first book of Smiley Series and I’m impressed. I love the way the author narrate the story from Smiley’s POV - the feeling he had, his perspectives, and his deduction. His explanation at the final chapter was compelling and the best part of the book as it explains the whole plot slowly.

Maybe, years ago when I first read Smiley, I could have given a review, but years later, as I have decided to reread Deighton and le Carré, all I really can do is appreciate the many years of great companionship these books and characters have given me. Call for the Dead may not hold up to the idea of it 100%, but some passages are amazingly beautiful, and this introduction to our hero is only the entrance to the wonderland that awaits beyond.

This book shows what this great writer could become and did indeed become. A reasonable first effort though the main plot twists were far more obvious than in his later work.

Espionaje en el período de la guerra Fría (nostalgia, ¿qué más?) y la contextualización histórica de la colaboración soviética-GB contra alemanes en la 2daGM. La simpatía de los intelectuales ingleses por la utopía comunista; y, como telón de fondo, la historia de amor y desamor en los viejos matrimonios de espías.

Depois desse autor ser tão bem recomendado em reportagens da The Economist, eu fiquei esperando mais desse obra. Apesar de ser bem interessante, ela não é mais do que isso.

Jag tycker om LeCarres spionromaner. Har läst och sett de flesta men hade av någon anledning missat den här (den första i Smiley serien). Jag uppskattade den på egna meriter men den gav också en insikt och bakgrund till karaktären F. smiley.

As a non-native English speaker, I initially chose "Call for the Dead" to immerse myself in British English and explore the culture. Le Carré's attention to detail and use of British English made the reading experience enjoyable and educational.This captivating story combines murder mystery and spy thriller elements with the Cold War in the background. The protagonist, George Smiley, is a tenacious and introverted character who adds depth to the story. Le Carré's description of Smiley as a unique and memorable hero captivates the reader.The atmosphere of the book, with its melancholic and cerebral elements, kept me engaged throughout. Le Carré's skillful storytelling and complex character relationships added depth and intrigue to the plot."Call for the Dead" is a well-crafted story that feels credible and authentic. The focus on human intelligence rather than gadgets resonates strongly. With its intricate plots and suspense, le Carré keeps readers guessing.The novel captures the complexities of espionage, with understated humor providing moments of lightness. The overall tone contributes to the book's captivating nature.Having enjoyed my first experience with John le Carré's work, I eagerly anticipate reading more of the George Smiley series. I highly recommend "Call for the Dead" to those seeking an immersive and thought-provoking spy novel in the British English tradition.

I love John Le Carré, and this short novel confirms it. Love his style, how the story ends up being so much more complex than anticipated. Fantastic read.