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The Pigeon Tunnel
- Stories from My Life
- Narrated by: John le Carré
- Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
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The Pigeon Tunnel
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Summary
'Out of the secret world I once knew, I have tried to make a theatre for the larger worlds we inhabit. First comes the imagining, then the search for reality. Then back to the imagining, and to the desk where I'm sitting now.'
The Pigeon Tunnel, John le Carré's memoir and his first work of nonfiction, is a thrilling journey into the worlds of his 'secret sharers' - the men and women who inspired some of his most enthralling novels - and a testament to the author's extraordinary engagement with the last half century. The listener is swept along not just by the chilling winds of the Cold War or by the author's frightening journeys into places of terrible violence but, most importantly, by the author's inimitable voice.In this astonishing work, we see our world, both public and private, through the eyes of one of this country's greatest writers.
Critic reviews
"No other writer has charted - pitilessly for politicians but thrillingly for readers - the public and secret histories of his times." (Guardian)
"John le Carré is as recognisable a writer as Dickens or Austen." (Financial Times)
"When I was under house arrest I was helped by the books of John le Carré...they were a journey into the wider world.... These were the journeys that made me feel that I was not really cut off from the rest of humankind." (Aung San Suu Kyi)
What listeners say about The Pigeon Tunnel
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Crawford jamieson
- 18-09-16
A wonderful memoir, intelligent, nuanced and beautifully read
Remarkable, even after Sisman's biography which covers of course many of the same events. As Cornwall explains in his introduction the nuance is everything. Listening to this read by the author not only made me reflect on the obvious autobiographical nature of A perfect spy but also how many of his own unanswered questions were explored in The secret pilgrim. Intellectual and passionate in equal measure, and asking more questions than it answers, just as George Smiley might have reflected after a long and complicated life..
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-12-19
Amazing
What an amazing life led and the experiences used as basis for extraordinary tales I loved it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rupert M
- 16-12-20
In memory of a great raconteur
I purchased this some time ago on recommendation of a Le Carré fan. After the sad announcement of his death, I went back to the audiobook and was so glad that I had bought it.
David Cornwell’s deep sonorous voice is hypnotic. Imagine a dinner guest who (reluctantly) tells you of his meeting with Margaret Thatcher or the a retired (Old Etonian and camp) MI5 agent with all the seductive detail of what the food was like and the atmosphere in the room. Imagine that same storyteller keeping your attention with superb mimicry and an uncannily accurate recall of the actual words used. This book delivers that and more and is the best tribute I can think of to one of England’s finest storytellers.
RIP John Le Carré
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mrs.d
- 01-04-21
Loved this
He is a brilliant writer anyway and I have never been so fascinated by an insight into an author’s world- just a genius mash up of political and spy anecdotes, characters; insights into how they ended up in his books and the properly thorough, sometimes life threatening research he undertook - and then, somehow, running through all that an autobiography. I’m not great at concentrating on non fiction but this book is just as listenable to as any spy thriller. Oh - and the final para is just priceless.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 17-09-20
Fascinating.
So interesting to hear described the links between le Carré's life experiences and the characters and events in his novels. The section about his father Ronnie is disturbing, touching and revelatory.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- louise@krupski.demon.co.uk
- 29-09-16
A man still struggling with his childhood
An excellent book read with great aplomb by the author. There are glimpses of the real man, great moment of pure raconteur and scathing stacks on politicians of all flavours. It is his continued struggle with his childhood and the scars it has left that are the most fascinating
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- I. M. Forrest
- 25-04-19
Excellent
Like lifting a curtain to reveal the life of a very private man and one of my favourite authors.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr Lee Rudd
- 17-11-16
Enjoyable and Interesting life story
Enjoyable read through stories from the authors life in its different guises - Intelligence, Author - and how life inspired fiction. And where it didn’t.
Written as a series of short - and not so short - chapters capturing a particular period or aspect of his life. This format worked quite well for me, and was easier to digest in small chunks.
The audiobook is read by the author. In this case it works as it sound like he is telling the listener about the particular episode in his life, and with his voice adds emphasis to the personal nature of the story.
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13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jim
- 22-04-17
Loved it!
This is as engaging as his novels! What a life! Am listening to it for the second time!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alex Wilks
- 01-03-18
Amazing stories, beautifully told
Have loved his novels for years, but had no idea what a fascinating life he’s lived. As a spy, to research new books in places like Palestine and Panama, and as a celeb author who ministers and others long to meet.
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