He was known to the world as John le Carre, but his real name was David Cornwell.
And now a collection of letters from John le Carre, one of the greatest British novelists of our time, and a fabulous letter writer, spanning decades from his childhood to the Cold War to his final years has been released.
A former real life spy, he spent decades writing about the subterfuge and espionage of the trade, some of which was turned into films and television series including The Night Manager.
The spy master burst on the scene with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 1974.
The author, who perfected the Cold War spy genre, had a career that spanned 60 years.
Forgive this long scribe, but sometimes letters are more fun.
- John le Carre to his stepmother Jean Cornwell
John le Carre also had an extraordinary life. From his involvement in the Cold War, time in Berlin, travels to Vietnam and engagement with world leaders, his experiences were truly remarkable.
A Private Spy: The Letters of John le Carre (Viking, $39.99) is the story of that life told through the voice of this masterful and passionate letter writer and was released in Australia on November 1.
It was edited by le Carre's late son Tim Cornwell.
Featuring letters never before published, A Private Spy spans close to eight decades, including letters sent to his family and friends as well as to film stars, politicians, spies, fans, writers and publishers including Hugh Laurie, Ralph Fiennes and Tom Stoppard.
It includes letters to Stephen Fry about late prime minister Margaret Thatcher and correspondence with actor Alec Guinness and a ten-year-old aspiring spy.
It's the most intimate portrait of le Carre that will ever be published, with the collected letters showcasing his wry wit, political insight, rage and compassion all expressed through his clear voice.
This collection of letters reveals le Carre - the man, the writer and his world - for the first time and most intimately.
It's a magnificent and tender portrait for le Carre's many millions of fans around the world.
John le Carre was born in 1931. The son of a con man, he spent his childhood between boarding school and the London underworld.
At 16 he found refuge at the university of Bern, then later at Oxford. A spell of teaching at Eton led him to a short career in British Intelligence (MI5 and MI6).
He published his debut novel, Call for the Dead, in 1961 while still a secret servant.
His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, secured him a worldwide reputation, which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley's People.
At the end of the Cold War, le Carre widened his scope to explore an international landscape including the arms trade and the War on Terror.
His memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel, was published in 2016 and the last George Smiley novel, A Legacy of Spies, appeared in 2017.
He died on December 12, 2020. His posthumous novel Silverview was published in 2021.
Therese Murray
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
Wordsmith. Senior journalist. Editor. I have a proven track record in helping people and communities solve their problems. My career is all about telling stories.
