Call for the Dead: A George Smiley Novel

A great story. The question is "why do people betray?" The great irony is that the traitors are, in important ways, better than victims of their betrayal. And, betrayers may betray their nation, while maintaining loyalty to their friends. George Smiley comes to some of the same conclusions about all this that are reached by Stephen Maturin in the Patrick O' Brian novels I have enjoyed so much.

Reads like a murder mystery more than a spy thriller. It is obviously one of Le Carre's earlier works. Easy read, but easily solved--long before Smiley catches on. The later books in the series are more challenging.

Knowing Smiley only from some of his later adventures, I was pleased and charmed to see him come to life here for the first time. -- the flawed Everyman both tormented by and devoted to the bureaucracy of the British security services. He's no James Bond, but that's what makes him such a special hero in this clean, smart spy thriller. I wish all the books of this genre could be so readable and well plotted.

I've read all of the subsequent Smiley books, but this one describes him quite differently than the others. Maybe I have Alec Guinness in my mind, who I believe fits Georg Smiley much better. I love second guessing authors. It reads well and was worth the time.

One of the very early George Smiley novels. It is interesting to see how much the character and the intelligence world settings have evolved in le Carre from this beginning. A worthwhile and enjoyable read but lacking the dark complexity of his later work.

J. Le Carre has been my favorite authors for years. Though I have never read this tale. What fun to find the roots of this most famous spy. True, it may not be the author's best but when read the promise of decades of fantastic adventures spring from the pages. If you are a fan of G.S. you will want to meet him again.

Going back to fill in my reading on George Smiley then will go on to read legacy loved tinker Taylor and smiley’s people spy who came in from the colmas along time ago as were th others. Left off many years back.

George Smiley and John le Carre you are so fantastic. I thought no one could beat Smiley's People but this one sure comes close. I didn't guess where it was going so loved the trip. I intend to get every single le Carre book and specially his George Smiley series.

The emergence of Smiley as the protagonist in the le Carre series reveals someone that connects with all readers. He is human above all and ever searching for a return to rewards of a lover - with all of Ann's shortcomings - for the feeling of belonging and appreciation. The story is captivating, brilliantly constructed and resolves in a way reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes narratives. Very entertaining and sends you off to find the second in the series.

Having read many spy and detective novels, Le Carre is one of the best of these storytellers....when one can't figure out the essential villain, it's a good book! Written with real life characters who aren't superheroes, but who can figure out the intricacies of intrigue is the sign of good writing in this genre...

For loves of Le Carre;s more famous George Smiley - finding this one is like going back in time Not as complex as some of the others, but you get to know lovable fascinating george in the days when h e first joins the circus,,,

Unfortunately I read the later Smiley Novels before this one. However, this did not spoil my enjoyment but gave me a greater insight into the character and his roots.
Excellent read as always with LeCarre

As usual, le Carre comes through for the reader. He has a wonderful style of jumping from situation to situation that seem at first to be unrelated, but in a short time they tie together seamlessly. Also, as long as George Smiley's in it, I'm there!

Although Le Carre's world view is bitter and fatalistic, and Smiley's personal life is framed in failure, I somehow feel hopeful as I go alongside Smiley, warmed by his intellectual mastery of that world.

One of his best books. Excellent plot, great style. Development of characters is one of the best: There is urgency, energy, mystery in his characters descriptions. The plot is well developed. The reader does not know which way the story is heading to. There is not a boring page in this book. As always Le Carre's books are the best of spy thrillers.

I probably judge le Carré a bit more harshly, because you
expect more from him. The characters seem a bit
simplistic, the plot was credible, and the conclusions
rather depressing. But I did almost read it through without
pausing.

Le Carre's George Smiley, the perfect spy, solves another breach of British security with style and grace. This time he's dealing with a suicide that doesnn't look right and a wife who behaves strangely.