Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

For September, the Mystery & Suspense Classics sub-folder is reading John le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.

Summary from Wikipedia:

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold is a 1963 Cold War spy novel by the British author John le Carré. It depicts Alec Leamas, a British agent, being sent to East Germany as a faux defector to sow disinformation about a powerful East German intelligence officer. It serves as a sequel to le Carré's previous novels Call for the Dead and A Murder of Quality, which also featured the fictitious British intelligence organization, "The Circus", and its agents George Smiley and Peter Guillam.

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold portrays Western espionage methods as morally inconsistent with Western democracy and values. The novel received critical acclaim at the time of its publication and became an international best-seller; it was selected as one of the All-Time 100 Novels by Time magazine.

I'm really excited to read - I've read the preceding two books this year and enjoyed them, but this is the book that catapulted John le Carré to superstar status when it comes to authors of spy fiction.

I read this recently, but do love Le Carre so I am listening to the audio for a refresher as I wanted to join in the discussion.

I'm picking up things I missed the first time around, now knowing what happens. But still find the book exciting, even just having recently read it. So this should be a good discussion!

I read this recently too, but gave my copy away so someone else could enjoy it. A real cracker!

I will join this read too.

I read this a few months ago. I liked the treatment of the moral ambiguity and the (view spoiler)[conflict between stated ends and revealed means (hide spoiler)].

I'm hoping to get to this one over the three day weekend. I'm in the middle of a couple of books now, so once I finish those, I'll be starting this one!

Did you know 17 year old Christian Bale was in a television adaption of A Murder of Quality?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQFjh...

Jazzy wrote: "Did you know 17 year old Christian Bale was in a television adaption of A Murder of Quality?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQFjh..."

I had no idea!

I just barely started this one after finishing a golden age mystery by George Bellairs. I read the introduction by the author, which I found very interesting. I'm excited to read it!

I finished this afternoon - it was very good, but such a bleak story. I can't say I was surprised by the ending, but it was still a gut punch. I can understand why this was John le Carré's breakthrough book.

Le Carre claims that the book is fiction from start to finish, and I believe him. But the way that we are left wondering who the good guys are, the cynicism and utilitarian approach to the lives of the characters feels very realistic to me. Certainly it seems fundamentally true that the individuals who are engaged in that particular activity - spies and spy masters - are likely untroubled by the moral questions that would give the rest of us pause. The true north of their moral compass points in a different direction.

Smiley appears very little in this one. The next book in the "series" is The Looking Glass War. I have that on hold at the library, but I'm not sure if I'll get to it this month.

Wow that was quick!

Jazzy wrote: "Wow that was quick!"

I'm not quite at your speed, Jazzy, but I'm a pretty fast reader. :)

I’m glad this was chosen. Since I’ve read it recently, I knew the plot but started listening on audio for the discussion. Now seeing all the nuances of how LeCarré set it up I think it is pretty brilliant. I was absolutely fooled. I went straight down the path LeCarré intended.

For a factual view of Smiley's world, see Spycatcher by Peter Wright. It was initially banned for breaking the Official Secrets Act.

There is a movie version starring Richard Burton.

Rosemarie wrote: "There is a movie version starring Richard Burton."

I might watch it - I've heard it's really good. But the ending is so grim, I'm not sure I want to.

Brenda wrote: "I’m glad this was chosen. Since I’ve read it recently, I knew the plot but started listening on audio for the discussion. Now seeing all the nuances of how LeCarré set it up I think it is pretty br..."

I was suspicious, so I wasn't exactly fooled, but he definitely kept me guessing.

How is everyone doing with the book? Sorry that I've been away - I live in the area of Oregon that has been affected by the fires, so I had to evacuate my home for several days, and work has been really crazy.

I'll check back in a few more days and post a few questions to try to get the discussion going a bit, but still give anyone who might still plan to pick the book up this month a chance to finish it!

I just finished the book. It was brilliant!! I was so surprised at the way it ended. Neither did I see through the plot. Great read!

This was my second read of this book. It’s ok, but I had hoped I would enjoy it more this time.

Trisha wrote: "This was my second read of this book. It’s ok, but I had hoped I would enjoy it more this time."

Where did you think it was lacking?

Has anyone watched the 1965 movie with Richard Burton? I was hoping to get a chance to watch it and I haven't had the time.

I haven't seen the film, but will have a look around for it now.

I'm not that fast of a reader either Christine :)

I watched the movie in the 60s when I had a big crush on Richard Burton. I remember the movie having an authentic, black and white intensity to it.

I did not have a crush on Richard Burton, but the film did have a compelling atmosphere.