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Call for the Dead cover art

Call for the Dead

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: Michael Jayston
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Publisher's Summary

An unabridged reading by Michael Jayston of John le Carré’s first novel, which introduced his most famous character, George Smiley.

Smiley is one of the most brilliantly realised characters in British fiction. Bespectacled, tubby, eternally middle-aged, and deceptively ordinary, he has a mind like a steel trap and is said to possess ‘the cunning of Satan and the conscience of a virgin’.

This novel, set in London in the late 1950s, finds Smiley engaged in the humdrum job of security vetting. But when a Foreign Office civil servant commits suicide after an apparently unproblematic interview, Smiley is baffled. Refusing to believe that Fennan shot himself soon after making a cup of cocoa and asking the exchange to telephone him in the morning, Smiley decides to investigate – only to uncover a murderous conspiracy with its roots in his own secret wartime past.

©1962 David Cornwell (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

What listeners say about Call for the Dead

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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable first book in the series

John Le Carre's deftly drawn characters and well informed books on the world of espionage should need no introduction. Yet despite watching the two BBC miniseries based on the George Smiley character I hadn't read any until I listened to this, the first book in the eight featuring George. Smiley is a fascinating character, quite opaque, quiet and undemonstrative. He is the polar opposite of James Bond yet is a superb protagonist. Le Carre's first book is well plotted and paced, gently ambling towards a conclusion. I did anticipate a couple of plot points but it was still a pleasure to seem them play out.
The audio book is excellently narrated with the characters easily distinguished and full of drama.

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10 people found this helpful

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excellent

the original and one of his best, if you havent listened to or read this, do so and then have the rest

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4 people found this helpful

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Call for the Dead

Oh Le Carre. The best of story tellers. The cynical funny clever tugger of heart strings. The best. Just the best. Jaystons fabulous reading complements the narrative superbly. We understand why Ann loves Smiley. We all love him. He is beautiful.

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3 people found this helpful

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Clarity

Excellent narrative and although the plot is somewhat predictable it had enough to keep me interested. The move at the end to write a report is a brilliant way to fill in those annoying but almost missable little gaps.

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3 people found this helpful

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Wonderful author, flawless narrator.

Le Carré & Jayston are a dream combination. Fantastic plots, wonderful writing, engaging characters - and Jayston’s rich voice and understanding of the material make him a master. Could not be better.

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2 people found this helpful

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A budding series

Ive been following the Smiley series as many people have from the middle, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy then Honorable Schoolboy, and finally Smileys People. I was so consumed by the work that I had to go back to the start. This is a very good book and demonstrates Smileys perspectives and philosophies very well but the author at this point is clearly still perfecting his craft. unlike his later works this feels a bit meandering and the dialogue stilted at times but a worthy beginning and an investment into a fantastic series. Michael Jayston as ever delivers superb narration and keeps my attention and investment at all times with his cadence, impressions and accents to breath some additional life into the characters of the work. as a side note I was delighted to learn that Michael Jayston starred in the BBC show of Tinker Tailor in the role of Peter Guillam. I shall eagerly dive into A Murder of Quality which is again narrated by Michael Jayston

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It’s lecarre

It’s lecarre at his thrilling best, the performance is just amazing and brings that post world war era to life with the looming spectre of communism ever present in the background. Easily 5 stars and worth your credit for sure.

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wonderful story and performance.

I was engrosed it the tale from beginning to end, and spoken in a wonderful voice.

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Great story

This book is beautifully read in great sympathy to the main character George Smiley. The mystery at the heart of the novel unwinds in a very satisfying manner.

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Great Le Carre shorter story

Well read and fantastic listening Will be looking out for more Le Carre on audible and for stories through the same reader.

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