Call For The Dead by and read by John Le Carré

Call for the Dead (1961) is the first of the popular spy series featuring George Smiley who works for British SIS (Secret Intelligence Service). It's also the first of the John Le Carré books to be published. The story takes place during the Cold War, and involves east German spying and marital intrigue. The most famous of this series is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, also here on GBOT. Call for the Dead introduces the world to George Smiley and his clandestine life. It was made into a movie titled The Deadly Affair (1967) starring the legendary James Mason. This audiobook version is read by the author himself John Le Carré. Enjoy!
John Le Carré (1931- 2020) is the pen name for David John Moore Corwell. He was born an Englishman but died an Irishman. He worked for MI5 and later MI6, the British domestic and foreign intelligence agencies respectively. His career ended when his cover was blown by a British/Soviet mole in the intelligence service. John Le Carré’s experiences gave him great insight into the spying game on which most of his books are based. An interesting man, good biography on Wikipedia.
Off topic - If your spirits could use lifting, check out the short and uniquely animated film, The man who planted trees here on YT. It’s a favorite of mine.
100th upload!
Just realized this is the 100th upload to the channel. Hooray! I'm glad so many people have enjoyed it. The first upload is a favorite of mine, Goodbye Mr. Chips read by Christopher Plummer. If you haven't listen to it, the story is humorous and sentimental with a valuable message to hear when you feel that you're life doesn't amount too much. In short, little by little the good you do all adds up and spreads to places you'll never know.

[@PaulWherry]

Grateful for you putting this on KZbin , thanks so much whoever you are

[@lizmcgee1862]

At the 2:00 mark I am commited to listening way past my bedtime. Likely to awaken with an accent now. Thank you sincerely and BRAVO

[@hermajesty52]

Outstanding

[@harringtonvo]

Great voice for an author… that’s rare

[@Johnconno]

He wasn't an author, he was an errand boy for his owners.

[@davidgladstone6588]

Outstanding! Best reading yet.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Beautiful voice - not at all surprised.

[@chuckcassel5417]

P😊

[@berylwhitehouse5208]

Enjoyed hearing story as much as I did reading it wish others were as good

[@James-n2t4w]

This was the first book by John le Carre. It, along with his second book, A MURDER OF QUALITY, were hardly noticed by the book buying public, until his third book, THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, exploded across the world and, suddenly, an army of John le Carre fans wanted to own and read everything he'd ever published. It's sad to think that if le Carre had stopped writing after his first two books failed to make him rich and famous, virtually no one would remember this book or who John le Carre even was. He died 12th Dec, 2020, and there's no one out there capable of filling the shoes he left empty. He was always more than just a 'genre' writer.

[@starryeyes2067]

His son is doing a very commendable job of continuing the story of George Smiley in his recent book

[@rhobot75]

Excellent! Really grateful for this, thank you. Too often, the audio readings are abridged into nonsensicality. This was nice.

[@howard1beale]

Thanks!🎉

[@howard1beale]

This is seriously abridged. The original introduces Smiley.

[@movingpicutres99]

Thank you. Wonderful. Slightly abridged?

[@pakde8002]

Yes. It's really well done condensed version. The full audiobook version is four and a half hours.

[@charlessmyth]

He read this well :-)

[@markrossow6303]

heard a different version before -- this one is awesome ! (read other print novels by him during high school, but not this one)

[@peterkiedron8949]

I think I saw the movie but Smiley had a different name for some contractual reasons.

[@James-n2t4w]

THE DEADLY AFFAIR, 1966. I had no idea it existed until I read your comment and googled for answers. It was directed by Sidney Lumet with James Mason as Charles Dobbs (the Smiley character). He's still married to a woman called Ann - ironically the name of the wife he no longer has in the book. Paramount Pictures got the rights to the George Smiley name/character when they bought THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, in 1965. I recently read a 670 page biography of le Carre, by Adam Sisman, 2015, I don't recall THE DEADLY AFFAIR ever being mentioned - despite much detail about book & film deals.

[@James-n2t4w]

It is mentioned in the Sisman biography. And the reasons behind the name change.

[@BryinWillis-e8g]

Friday

[@eleanorrae7378]

What difference is there from advancing the thought of taking all the advantages money gives those that have it? Then we can all be equal.