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The Pigeon Tunnel

Stories from My Life

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The Pigeon Tunnel

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: John le Carré
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About this listen

'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.

©2016 John le Carré (P)2016 Penguin Audio Art & Literature Authors Inspiring Heartfelt Imperialism

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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)

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I enjoyed this tremendously. Beautifully read in David Cornwell's distinctive voice and the insight into his inspiration for his characters and plots was fascinating. I will listen to this again as there was almost too much to take in first time around.

Excellent on all levels

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Ever been cajoled, slowly but surely by a novelists' series? Very late and reluctantly, I began listening to the le Carré novels, believing them to be antithetical to many of my closely held beliefs. Well- I am a "colonial," a woman and not trusting of "stories for boys." Not to be so. I loved them all- noting the author's amazing development as an engrossing teller of stories with importance and relevance even if there were flaws which have no place to be aired here.
To then chance on this memoir, spoken by the man himself, was such good fortune.
Here I was, being cajoled all over again with something far, far bigger than a "back story" for all the fiction I had listened to.
Over and over, the specific character from the novel leapt back into 3D in my imagination and again, the mysterious conjunction between writer and reader happened..with even more feeling.

Do read or listen to his books first.
Then listen to this book and be entranced anew.
How complex human beings can really be.

Words fail me.

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Do you know that if you close your eyes, John sounds just like Stan Laurel...

unputdownable.

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I listened and I adored!

JLC delivery was impeccable. Just perfect.

It really was like sitting at the knee of the very best 20th century historian, sharing news about his life and travels in a scene where you already know a lot of the main players!

Some fun, some absolute horror...but all expertly delivered.

Personally it was not long enough, I needed more and more.

Gutted I can only give 5/5 - genius at work, master story teller, definitely up there with someone to invite to the 'very best dinner party ever'

It's like peeking behind the curtain,...

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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.

Amazing stories, beautifully told

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