Description
Book SynopsisA Telegraph Book to Read for Autumn 2022A Times Best Non-fiction Book for Autumn 2022A Daily Mail Book of the Year 2022A Waterstones Best Book of 2022: BiographyThe astonishing new portrait of the master of spy fiction, by the woman he kept secret for almost half his lifeJohn le Carré led a life entirely constructed of secrets. First as a British spook' during the Cold War, then as a world-renowned writer of espionage fiction, but also in his personal involvements. He guarded his private life with fierce determination, so that even when he finally permitted his life story to be written, there was still one element he insisted be excluded: the women.Married with children for virtually all his adult life, le Carré David Cornwell had a number of secret affairs, usually conducted abroad with women encountered by chance on his travels. These relationships were always intense, dramatic, even tragic, yet each was destined to last no more than a few months. But there was one love affair that
Trade Review.‘A posthumous love-letter to David Cornwell…le Carré’s private life seems to be perfectly aligned to his work.’The Daily Telegraph
‘Dawson is always aware of the complex duplicities le Carré is indulging in (she’s no fool) … A sly and clever book’
William Boyd, New Statesman
‘A fascinating insight into how the betrayal, infidelity and lies that are at the heart of Le Carré’s spy novels were duplicated with exhausting precision in his private life’ Daily Mail
‘Those interested in le Carré will discover much fascinating detail … intelligent and perceptive’
Adam Sisman, Spectator
‘A profound character study of a great writer’ The Times
‘Very sharp and funny’ Daily Telegraph
