Preview
  • Call for the Dead

  • George Smiley, Book 1
  • By: John Le Carré
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (34 ratings)

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Call for the Dead

By: John Le Carré
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's summary

After an unremarkable interview, Circus agent George Smiley determines the subject of a standard security check—a civil servant in the Foreign Office named Samuel Fennan—poses no threat, nor presents any reason for suspicion of espionage.

Hours later, Samuel Fennan is found dead by suicide. Suddenly finding himself under intense scrutiny, Smiley realizes the Circus intends to blame him for Fennan's death. Rather than remain idle, Smiley begins his own investigation into the nature of the man's demise. What he finds is a tangled web of secrets that connects not only to East German activity in Britain, but also his own past.

The beginning of a body of work that The New York Times calls extraordinary in its breadth, consistency, generosity and wit, John le Carré's 1961 debut introduces one of the most esteemed and iconic spies in the literary canon: George Smiley.

©2012 John Le Carré (P)2024 Dreamscape Media
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What listeners say about Call for the Dead

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An Understated Adventure that keeps you wondering.

I really appreciate Lecarre’s conversational style of weaving a tale. His descriptions are captivating and make me feel like I am right there in the milieu.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Good, short, intrigue and mystery from the beginnings of the modern era of espionage.

I decided to start on the writings of one of the creators of the modern spy genre. I was not disappointed. Being old enough to remember the cold war at its height and having learned enough history to understand the context, I found it a strong plot and good storytelling. LeCarre is clearly at the beginning of his career with this book, but already on solid footing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not anywhere near as good as Karla trilogy but fun to see how Le Carré started.

Not anywhere near as good as Karla trilogy but fun to see how Le Carré started.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Help

Some chapters are being skipped. How do I fix this? I is so very annoying and I can’t not figure out how to reach customer support.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Meh LeCarre is Still Really Good

Wonderfully read average story by LeCarre. Great characters and atmosphere. The plot moves along briskly but not my favorite by LeCarre.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Narration is the only upside

I don't get all the adulation for Le Carre. His books are boring, the plots ranging from simplistic to, well, more simplistic. And nothing else to say, to be hohest.

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