The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
- Narrated by:
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
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- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:09/11/2011
- Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.
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Publisher's Summary
Alec Leamas has ended his time in Berlin. Or his time has ended him. The last of his Eastern agents has been killed, like the others, by the Abteilung. Back at the Circus, Leamas is put on the shelf. He turns to drunkenness and dishonesty and finally disappears from view, a seemingly broken man.
But unknown to anyone except George Smiley and his master, Control, Leamas has been given his toughest mission ever. He will have to be himself but more so. He will have to fight off the inevitable softening of middle age and wait a little more before he can come in from the cold. Not even Leamas can know the plan of which he is the instrument.
©1963 Victor Gollancz Ltd (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.
What the Critics Say
"The best spy story I have ever read." (Graham Greene)
"Le Carré is one of the best novelists - of any kind - we have." (Vanity Fair)
"Written...with a pitiless, elegant clarity, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a first-rate thriller and more." (Time)
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What Members Say
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"The book that came in from the cd."
This isn't my usual choice. Espionage thrillers usually leave me cold - or the thought or them does. However this was a book group choice so I chose the unabridged version and within minutes was hooked.
I'm now embarrassed to think I ignored this for
So long. The writing is so accessible; I was concerned that I would not be able to follow the plot but it's a much more relatable novel than I imagined. Good writing means this novel is a hit across the board and the narrator is amazing with his easy on the ear voice and the way each character is convincingly brought to life. I adored this reading!14 of 14 people found this review helpful -
"Superb and a classic novel"
I first read this book when it was first published. I found it quite difficult but after all these years it is much easier to understand the moral nuances and superb plotting. Hearing it read was a great experience.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful -
Iain Lanark, United Kingdom 24/12/2012 Member Since 2010A post apocalyptic, zombie loving reader with a bit of spy/war thrillers thrown in for good measure.
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 19
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 135
- 9
"Another Gripping Spy Story"
le Carre delivers another gripping tale of the cold war British spy network. Lots of twists and turns to keep the listener guessing until the very end. Up there with the rest of his works.
The narrator delivers the story brilliantly, although in previous purchases where Le Carre has read them himself does take a lot of beating.7 of 7 people found this review helpful -
"Superior Spy Thriller"
This was a gripping, realistic story of morally ambiguous Cold War espionage. Expertly read by Jayston, slipping subtly between distinct characters with ease.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful -
"A great thriller, well read"
One of JLC's classics. The voice was just perfect, conveying the suspense of the thriller.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful -
"A small car with children waving."
If you like your spies drinking Martinis, with glamour and gadgets against egregious supervillains, this is not the book for you. Instead we are drawn into a world of subterfuge and lies, of duplicity where even truth can be turned on it's head, where black and white merges into dirty grey. No heroes here, only ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances trying to stay alive as they keep their form of faith.
One of le Carre's most masterful cold war spy stories, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, is completely gripping from the breath-holding first pages to the dazzling conclusion. Yet the writing itself is elegant enough to be a fine love missive. This was not my first encounter with the book; I had read it many years ago and seen the film version. But the narration by Michael Jayson brought a freshness and poignancy that had me enthralled with each twist and turn, leaving me as eager to listen on as ever I had been with my very first reading.
First class.10 of 11 people found this review helpful -
The_price_of_bottled_water London 04/10/2014 Member Since 2015
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 18
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- REVIEWS
- 29
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"A classic from the cold war"
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?Definitely recommended - particularly for anyone who has spent time in Berlin.
Has The Spy Who Came in from the Cold put you off other books in this genre?I don't know this genre well - but it wasn't what I was expecting, and the quality of the story positively surprised me.
Which character – as performed by Michael Jayston – was your favourite?Very well read by Michael Jayston. Resists the temptation to overdo German accents for the German characters.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful -
G Pire sur SeicheFrance 24/09/2012
Many hours in spring and summer spent sitting on a slow lawn mower is why I listen to stories.
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 44
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"another era"
Easy to listen to, good narration, no particular effort required to follow the story. Written during and taking place in the cold war, and it shows. It all feels a bit dated, but fun nonetheless, if you like "old-fashioned" thrillers.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful -
Paul D 06/10/2016Paul D 06/10/2016
Living in rural tranquility in France. I read everything except readers' l o n g reviews of books.
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 127
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"Brilliant"
Le Carre - always good.
Jayston - a master of narration..
Together - a brilliant team.
The book - one of the best.
Seen the film, read the book, now listened to the book. Just as fresh.1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"Maybe it's me"
I so enjoyed the previous two books so this was such a disappointment. I have seen the movie on tv years ago but I don't really remember it I think Richard Burton was in it but I might be wrong.
No one could call Le Carre writing cheerful and I like to imagine he was a barrel of fun having got his gloom out in his writing. This story drags and seems to reach impasses because all in all the story doesn't really mesh together. Still others may see it differently. Me I can't recommend it but Le Carre for me always has been a bit of a lucky dip.1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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PitaNorth Shore City, New Zealand15/06/12
"Outstanding Novel, Brilliantly Read"
Le Carre's classic spy novel is brought to life by a wonderful reading. Jayston's British voice goes so perfectly with the novel and the character's of "the circus" are brought to life right in front of your ears!
This novel is intricate with great depth of characters and twist and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat guessing till the end. The descriptions of the service, the agents, the "circus" and the enemy brings to life this Cold War classic. Do not go past this novel and this reading!1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
CarolynTharwa, Australia13/03/12
"Gripping Cold War thriller"
Would you consider the audio edition of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold to be better than the print version?I first read 'The Spy Who Came in From the Cold' in print when I was 12 or 13 and it was the best seller everyone was talking about. In print I tended to rush ahead to see what happened, but the audio version slows you down to savour Le Carre's writing.
What other book might you compare The Spy Who Came in from the Cold to and why?Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - a complex story with double-crosses and suspense.
Which scene was your favorite?An early scene, when the double agent crosses the border into West Germany on his bicycle.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?Oh yes - it will keep you sitting in your car listening to the recording, long after you've pulled into the driveway.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
Ian C RobertsonSouth Australia, Australia25/11/14
"Still Chilling"
It has been a long time indeed since I read this title. I recall it being rather dull and somewhat disturbing for a reason I couldn't quite put my finger upon. Now, with the benefit of time, I understand that I was not old enough to appreciate the chilling undertone to a book, where there is so little violence (although a fair number of people die), but an eerie threat permeates the text. That threat is like a fog that I associates with East Berlin, the Wall and all thinks KGB, NKVD and the other counterpoints to MI6 and the CIA. Listening to the narrative now I appreciate the grit, the ugliness and the end justifies everything mendacity that drove people like Smiley, Leamas, Mundt, Control, Fiedler and others. It is the reverse of the superficial sense of fairness of Liz Gold.
This is still a cracker story with a terrific ending. It's not the same as the film (with Richard Burton terrific in the Leamas role) although the core scenes are pretty close. Le Carre had a hand in the screenplay, so I guess that's not so surprising.
As for Michael Jayston's reading, I vacillated between loving it and being frustrated when he dropped the accents. In particular, his Leamas starts with a distinct Burton-like quality, but by the final chapter it had gone completely. I am not sure if that was an intended conceit, but if it was, it did not work for me. In the end I gave it a 3, but overall it is probably about a 3.5.
This was a very enjoyable re-discovery. I am sure it will prompt me to re-read the Karla Trilogy.0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Micah09/08/14
"The opposite of a page turner"
Any additional comments?The narrator was a pro but the story was soooo slllooooowww. Like a movie where you think 'it will get good soon' then realise you just wasted two hours.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
TeetwoAvignon, Vaucluse07/10/13
"a wow book"
Would you consider the audio edition of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold to be better than the print version?one of the best book I read in the past years. I couldn't stop listening.
What did you like best about this story?the intricate story and the connections to the "real" world.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
MackenziePetersham, Australia04/02/13
"A classic"
How refreshing to go back to le Carre's early writing and listen to this. The performance is gripping -- I couldn't listen to the end knowing the outcome as it was too stressful.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
DavidPisa, Italy11/06/12
"Classic Le Carré"
Where does The Spy Who Came in from the Cold rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?This is probably the best spy book ever written. I have read it twice before, but thoroughly enjoyed listening to Jayston's reading. He is perfect for the job.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
RichardMackay, Australia05/03/12
"Cold war and hot action"
John le Carre at the height of his powers transports us back to the troubling days of the Berlin wall, mutually assured destruction and intrigue. Written at a time when Britain was still a power with influence in the world; for those who lived through those times it is a powerful evocation of the past. For readers who live in the world of glasnost and Putin there is still plenty to keep you listening.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful