Call for the Dead

3.5/5. This was my first foray into espionage novels, I've always avoided them because I'm not really one to appreciate a lot of physical action in my books. But maybe it's because Le Carre is a bit more old-school and definitely very English, so the vibe of this one felt almost a bit like the Agatha Christie vibes that I'm very familiar with and I quite enjoyed it overall. It sometimes felt more like a mystery, although there was definitely more of that political thriller element in the background of it.

George Smiley is an interesting protagonist, starting off the entire series already near retirement age, and looking nothing like your usual dashing hero of a spy movie. He's supposedly short and stout, and looks more like a well-to-do freeloader, though he in fact is part of the Secret Service and gets a lot more action in his life than one would expect.

I'd definitely continue, especially since my whole objective is to eventually work my way to reading the two titles that I always hear the most about: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, as well as The Night Manager.

I've always wanted to read John le Carre's George Smiley books, but starting at ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy', I failed to get into the story and given up. Actually starting at the first appearance of Smiley (and le Carre's first book), has made me realize that the background is necessary to (hopefully!) appreciate the later books. I absolutely loved this, and question why this book isn't more well known, as it should be; a rough diamond waiting to discovered by a wider audience. My advice? Don't start with the Karla books, start with this little gem.

Interesting story. More of a murder mystery than a spy story. Will be interested in more of George Smiley.

“Only make no laws, no fine theories, no judgements, and the people may love, but give them one theory, one slogan, and the game begins again.”

Call for the Dead was a very enjoyable read, short and captivating. In equal parts a thought provoking look at ideologies and a delightful mystery, that slowly unravels until all puzzle pieces fit into place, le Carré delivers a compelling story in his debut novel.

A little clunky in places, but still entertaining and suspenseful.

I much prefer this early stuff to his later works.

Short, punchy and bleak.

Fantastic fast paced quick read. Looking forward to readind more Le Carre and more George Smiley. Highly recommended.

“He hated the Press as he hated advertising and television, he hated mass-media, the relentless persuasion of the twentieth century.”This is George Smiley, [a:John le Carré 1411964 John le Carré https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1606816199p2/1411964.jpg]'s indelible creation. A man who would love nothing more than to subsume himself in the world of obscure seventeenth-century German poets but has somehow found himself working for the Security Services i.e. MI5 ferreting out foreign spies at home after having run his own abroad before, during, and after the war. [b:Call for the Dead 18715700 Call for the Dead (George Smiley, #1) John le Carré https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1384805979l/18715700.SY75.jpg 1176737] was Le Carré's first novel and he he's already quite the contender. His prose is clean and precise. With a few perfectly structured sentences he gives us Smiley's world in all its oppressive grey and yet ... A passing familiarity with post WWII European history might not come amiss and I'd also highly recommend the audio by [a:Michael Jayston 599335 Michael Jayston https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325394940p2/599335.jpg]. It was excellent. I've been a fan of film adaptions of this world and going back to the blueprint is a good thing. I'll definitely continue.

Short review: This is the first of John Le Carré's novels and the first of the George Smiley books. It is not a great novel, but if you like Smiley and have read the better known Karla trilogy then it is worth going back to this first book. I don't think I would recommend starting with this first book, but instead starting with either Tinker Tailor or the Spy Who Came in from the Cold and then coming back to this later. Again, this is a slow burn spy novel. Smiley knows something is going on, but not really what. So thing just keep happening until eventually enough occurs that he can put the pieces together. Don't think James Bond action, think Ms Marples, but as a short, somewhat dumpy international spy. I like them, but I can see that they are not for everyone.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/call-for-the-dead/

a classic mystery but with spies. low key loved the ‘report' at the end that summarized all the pieces that could have been worked out earlier in the story

Awfully boring book. The nature of the spy craft was interesting, but it was a lot of “let me tell you what happened” and not much showing. The “action” scene descriptions were rather dull and incoherent

Well written, easy to read. Plot kept my interest throughout. Nothing to write home about, but an enjoyable experience if you just want a nice little mystery.