A collection of letters by John le Carré, the legendary British spy novelist who died in 2020, will be published this fall.
Viking made the announcement in a news release. The press says that the letters in the book, titled A Private Spy, “span close to eight decades, from le Carré’s childhood growing up in wartime Britain to the Cold War and into the close present, with the last letters written just days before le Carré’s death.” The book is edited by Tim Cornwell, one of le Carré’s sons.
Le Carré worked for the British spy agencies MI5 and MI6 before making his literary debut in 1961 with Call for the Dead, the novel that introduced his famous character, the intelligence officer George Smiley.
He would go on to write dozens of novels, including The Spy Who Came in From the Cold; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; and The Constant Gardener. His last novel, Silverview, was published posthumously in October 2021.
Viking says the letters “showcase le Carré’s wry wit, his political insight, rage and compassion.”
“There are wonderfully vivid letters to great actors and great writers,” the publisher says. “There are brilliantly sharp and very funny portraits of politicians and public figures. And throughout the collection there is the clear, inimitable voice of this magnificent writer.”
A Private Spy is scheduled for publication on Nov. 8.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
