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John Le Carré, 89, the great author of espionage novels
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mig73alle...@yahoo.co.uk
2020-12-13 22:17:46 UTC
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The literary world has paid tribute to John Le Carré after the legendary spy author died following a short battle with pneumonia.

Sharing news of Le Carré's death on Sunday night, Dec 13, 2020, literary agent Jonny Geller said: 'His like will never be seen again.'

Confirming the death was not Covid-19 related, Mr Geller said: 'Our hearts go out to his four sons, their families and to his dear wife, Jane.

For six decades, John le Carré dominated the bestseller lists and review pages with his monumental body of work.

'His dramatic launch onto the global scene began with the publication of his third novel in 1963, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, and the public revelation of his secret life working with the British Intelligence Services.

'Devoting his life to writing, he went on to define the Cold War era with the help of his character, George Smiley, and through his complex plots and beautiful prose, beamed a harsh light at the injustices of our world.

'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy came in the 1970s and its accompanying landmark TV series with Alec Guinness.

'The 1980s brought the novel that is often heralded as his masterpiece: A Perfect Spy.

'With the fall of the Berlin Wall, David’s focus extended beyond the Soviet/UK/US relations to arms dealing with The Night Manager.

'The first decade of the new millennium brought us The Constant Gardener, a passionate critique of Big Pharma and this current decade brought back his favourite creation, George Smiley, in A Legacy of Spies.

'His last novel, Agent Running in the Field, was published in October 2019.David wrote twenty-five novels and one volume of memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel (2016), and has sold more than sixty million copies of his work worldwide.

'His like will never be seen again, and his loss will be felt by every book lover, everyone interested in the human condition.We have lost a great figure of English literature, a man of great wit, kindness, humour and intelligence.

'I have lost a friend, a mentor and an inspiration.'

In a statement, the late author's family said: 'It is with great sadness that we must confirm that David Cornwell – John le Carré – passed away from pneumonia last Saturday night after a short battle with the illness. David is survived by his beloved wife of almost fifty years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon. We all grieve deeply his passing.

'Our thanks go to the wonderful NHS team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for the care and compassion that he was shown throughout his stay. We know they share our sadness.'

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mig73alle...@yahoo.co.uk
2020-12-13 22:26:32 UTC
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British author John le Carré, writer of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Night Manager, has died aged 89, his literary agent has said.

The literary great, whose real name was David Cornwell, passed away after a short battle with pneumonia that was not COVID-19 related.

Jonny Gellar, chief executive of the Curtis Brown Group, announced the news in a tweet on Sunday night.

"With much sadness, I must announce the passing of one the world's great writers - John le Carré," the post read.

A statement shared on behalf of the espionage author's family confirmed he died of pneumonia.


"It is with great sadness that we must confirm that David Cornwell - John le Carre - passed away from pneumonia last Saturday night after a short battle with the illness," the statement said.


"David is survived by his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon.

"We all grieve deeply his passing. Our thanks go to the wonderful NHS team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for the care and compassion that he was shown throughout his stay. We know they share our sadness."
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