John le Carr‪é‬

The definitive biography of the renowned spy novelist—a "highly readable portrait of a writer . . . as elusive and enigmatic as his fictional heroes" (Michiko Kakutani, New York Times).

In this authorized biography, Adam Sisman reveals the man behind John le Carré's bestselling persona. Looking behind the pseudonym, Sisman shines a spotlight on David Cornwell, an expert at hiding in plain sight—"born to lying," he wrote in 2002, "bred to it, trained to it by an industry that lies for a living, practiced in it as a novelist."


Sisman probes Cornwell's unusual upbringing, abandoned by his mother at the age of only five and raised by his con man father (when not in prison). He explores Cornwell's background in British intelligence, as well as his personal life and struggle to become a writer. Sisman has benefited from unfettered access to le Carré's private archive, talked to the most important people in his life, and interviewed the man himself at length.


Who is John le Carré? Intriguing, thorough, and packed with entertaining detail, this biography is essential reading for fans of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Nigh Manager, and his many other internationally acclaimed novels.