Call for the Dead
Call for the Dead by John Le Carré, published by Penguin in 2012, is a notable work in the realm of Cold War espionage. This edition spans 168 pages and is presented in English. The novel marks the debut of George Smiley, a character who navigates the complexities of international intrigue. Following a routine security check that leads to the apparent suicide of civil servant Samuel Fennan, Smiley embarks on an investigation that reveals deeper layers of deception and potential involvement from East German agents.
Readers will find a narrative that intricately weaves themes of mystery and suspense, as Smiley confronts the implications of Fennan’s death and the pressures from his superiors. The story unfolds through Smiley’s interactions, including a pivotal meeting with Fennan’s widow, as he seeks to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. Call for the Dead introduces a world of espionage that challenges perceptions of loyalty and betrayal, making it a significant entry in the thriller genre.
Official synopsis Publisher
The first of his peerless novels of Cold War espionage and international intrigue, Call for the Dead is also the debut of John le Carré’s masterful creation George Smiley.
After a routine security check by George Smiley, civil servant Samuel Fennan apparently kills himself. When Smiley finds Circus head Maston is trying to blame him for the man’s death, he begins his own investigation, meeting with Fennan’s widow to find out what could have led him to such desperation. But on the very day that Smiley is ordered off the enquiry he receives an urgent letter from the dead man. Do the East Germans – and their agents – know more about this man’s death than the Circus previously imagined? Le Carré’s first book, Call for the Dead, introduced the tenacious and retiring George Smiley in a gripping tale of espionage and deceit.
If you enjoyed Call for the Dead, you might like le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.
‘Intelligent, thrilling, surprising … makes most cloak-and-dagger stuff taste of cardboard’ Sunday Telegraph
‘Brilliant. Realistic. Constant suspense’ Observer
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