I know he isn't a football figure, but surprised not to have seen any threads dedicated to his passing, as I always took him to be a bit of an icon. Maybe I missed them?
Inevitably seen the odd film based on his books, but never read him myself. I have, however, very often read and heard that he was way more than 'just' a writer of spy novels and was a very, very good writer full stop.
My brother was, on the other hand, an avid fan. He'd always have some Le Carré or other lying around when we were both younger. I think he must have read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy at least three or four times.
It's going to be 10 years soon since my brother passed. Funny how some things you never paid much attention to back in the day are stuck in your mind and create fond memories.
RIP
John Le Carré
posted on 14/12/20
posted on 14/12/20
‘It's going to be 10 years soon since my brother passed. Funny how some things you never paid much attention to back in the day are stuck in your mind and create fond memories.’
My brother was a big music fan, and a avid reader of Stephen King novels (amongst others). Always brings a pang of sadness whenever I see one of his favourite bands or authors release something new.
My dad is a fan of Le Carre. Bought him a few of his books over the years. Not just a good writer, but an interesting guy too.
RIP John Le Carre
posted on 14/12/20
An excellent writer and, indeed, one who far transcended the limitations of 'genre'. There's a great quote about his writing by Timothy Garton Ash: “It is the endlessly deceptive maze of human relations: the betrayal that is a kind of love, the lie that is a sort of truth, good men serving bad causes and bad men serving good”. Well worth checking out his novels. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold would be a good starting point.
By the way, I thought the Gary Oldman film adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was incredible, and great at evoking the drab cynicism of Le Carré's world.
posted on 14/12/20
Agreed, RR.
posted on 14/12/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 14/12/20
A true master of the spy genre who you could tell by his writing had lived the life. RIP.
For those who like this kind of book check out Ted Allbeury. He was cut from the same cloth.
Propper spying stuff as opposed to Bond.
posted on 14/12/20
I recall an interview with Le Carré where he was quite frank about the fact that, although he drew on the experiences of his his time in Mi5 and Mi6, his career as a spy had been relatively brief and relatively junior. It bemused him that people assumed he was some kind of master spy in real life, and in particular how at the end of the Cold War, some bigwig from the KGB came to London and insisted on meeting him to talk about spycraft, reminisce, etc, imagining Le Carré to be his counterpart.
posted on 14/12/20
comment by Lexington 125.2 - Give Reiss A Chance (U8879)
posted 14 minutes ago
Always brings a pang of sadness whenever I see one of his favourite bands or authors release something new.
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Same with me whenever I hear a bit of JJ Cale or Tom Waits.
posted on 14/12/20
comment by Constantinople (U11781)
posted 57 minutes ago
Loved The Night Manager when it aired on the BBC back in 2016, was a great series.
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this. Great series. I hadn't even heard he'd died
Only got 2 of his books (Tailor of Panama and A Most Wanted Man).
posted on 14/12/20
I have read every one of his books. The Spy Who Came in from the cold, and Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy were great adaptations.
But I always prefer the book, it takes you to another world for a time.
A great writer, sad to see him go.