A Perfect Spy

John Le Carre

What genre does John le Carré write?

He is best known for espionage and spy fiction. His novels are literary thrillers that examine intelligence work, betrayal, loyalty and moral complexity, often in Cold War and post-Cold War settings.

Is John le Carré a pen name?

Yes. John le Carré is the nom de plume of David John Moore Cornwell, who served in the British Foreign Service before becoming a novelist.

What is the recommended reading order for the George Smiley novels?

A common reading order follows the Smiley sequence: Call for the Dead (Book 1), A Murder of Quality (Book 2), The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (Book 3), The Looking Glass War (Book 4), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Book 5), The Honourable Schoolboy (Book 6), Smiley's People (Book 7), The Secret Pilgrim (Book 8), A Legacy of Spies (Book 9).

Where should I start if I'm new to his work?

For a standalone Cold War classic try The Spy Who Came In From the Cold. If you prefer a series beginning, start the Smiley arc with Call for the Dead and continue through the Smiley novels.

When did he start writing and how many books has he published?

He began writing novels in 1961 and, according to the source text, has published twenty-one titles.