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A Legacy of Spies

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A Legacy of Spies

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: Tom Hollander
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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged downloadable audiobook edition of A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré, read by Tom Hollander. This is the first novel in over 25 years to feature George Smiley, le Carré's most beloved character.

Peter Guillam, staunch colleague and disciple of George Smiley of the British Secret Service, otherwise known as the Circus, is living out his old age on the family farmstead on the south coast of Brittany when a letter from his old Service summons him to London. The reason? His Cold War past has come back to claim him. Intelligence operations that were once the toast of secret London and involved such characters as Alec Leamas, Jim Prideaux, George Smiley and Peter Guillam himself are to be scrutinised under disturbing criteria by a generation with no memory of the Cold War and no patience with its justifications.

Interweaving past with present so that each may tell its own intense story, John le Carré has spun a single plot as ingenious and thrilling as the two predecessors on which it looks back: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

©2017 John le Carré (P)2017 Penguin Audio Action & Adventure Crime Fiction Espionage Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Military Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Political Psychological Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense War & Military Exciting Crime England Law Thriller

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All stars
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Would you listen to A Legacy of Spies again? Why?

I would re-read this book in a shot. A lovely, scathing view of England now. Sadly I couldn't bear to hear Mr Hollander's nasal sneer again. Ironically his voice optimises the estate agent cock-of-the-walk that Mr Le Carre finds so distasteful. The only time Tom Hollander did it justice was when inhabiting the terrible, devoid of humanity, Bunny. Where is the heart in this man's voice? He avoids performance so the book reads in a monotone of dreariness. Where is Michael Jayston's deft touch? Sad, it would have been nice to find someone good enough to match the master's words.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Peter, it is through his jaundiced eye the book is told.

How could the performance have been better?

Where to begin? Why did Mr Hollander not attempt to inhabit the different characters? Is he too famous?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I had to savour it. I also felt it was somehow disrespectful to listen when I should be reading it. The words were offered up with such mediocrity it felt treasonous. I escaped back to the written word and then could realise the real beauty of the prose.

Any additional comments?

Far more attention to narration. Tom Hollander remained Tom Hollander throughout the book, did he think 'doing the voices' somehow demeaned him? The narrator should act as a perfect conduit without ego.

Tom Hollander corrupts Le Carre's craft

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A wonderful story enhanced by Tom Hollander 's insightful and entertaining narration of Peter Guillam's actual real memories and his reluctant response to an interrogation at the hands of the new high and mighty people in the Circus. . This book could serve two audiences. Those of us who have read and loved the Smiley stories and a new group of readers who may have been introduced to John Le Carre in the hit TV series The Night Manager . The latter group may enjoy this as a standalone novel but will undoubtedly be enticed to get reading the Smiley novels. What I enjoyed most about this book was the way it explained so many issues that escaped me in Call For The Dead and The Spy That Came In FromThe Cold. Furthermore, it provides us with the foundation for the Carla Trilogy. The narrative is presented in a well constructed manner, weaving the past and the present through Service records and interviews. The highlight for me was the eventual appearance of George and his revelation that it was all about Europe. Such a strong political statement and so relevant for today.

Truly Spooked<br />

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Beautifully crafted as only le Carré can do. He's only gotten better with time and this encore is gives an insight into the legacy of those characters he created all those years ago. Truthful to the world of the Circus, it entails a reminiscence of a one of the darkest times for Smiley's people, in the context of the naive and inpatient modern era, through the mind and memory of Peter Guillam.

Masterfully composed.

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Have been reading Le Carre's work since I was a teenager, over 30 years ago. It was great to meet with old friends and get to know Peter Guillame better. Definitely worth listening to. Tom Hollander reads it beautifully.

Loved it..... Highly recommended.

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A worthy end to the Smiley saga. Beautifully written and superbly read by Tom Hollander, Gripped, couldn't stopped listening. Wonder if they'll make a TV series..........

Wonderful!

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Tom Hollander has an amazingly calm way of story telling. Great twisting story full of believable characters.

the great teller of stories.

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I was not sure whether it would be as good as previous works, but it was. I really enjoyed it.
Tom Hollander's narration fitted well.

Wonderful! Le Carre is as good as ever.

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massive fan of john le carre and I thought this was one of his best

Loved it.

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I was delighted to find a new book in the Smiley series of John le Carre and couldn't stop once I started. I have read and listened to the other books a few times and just love the way they are written. This book is in the same league, actually better because threads and events in the other books are added to and pulled together. I feel like I am discovering more about all the other stories as well as enjoying the strong storyline in this novel.

captivating

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Perhaps it's because I too am old like Peter Guillam? This book draws all of Smileys world together. The prose is exquisite and Tom Hollander is a triumph.

Absolutely wonderful

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