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The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Dramatised)

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale
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Publisher's summary

Simon Russell Beale stars in this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of John le Carré's novel, which introduced his most famous character, George Smiley.

It is 1962: the height of the Cold War and only months after the building of the Berlin Wall. Alec Leamas is a hard-working, hard-drinking British intelligence officer whose East Berlin network is in tatters. His agents are either on the run or dead, victims of the ruthlessly efficient East German counter-intelligence officer Hans-Dieter Mundt.

Leamas is recalled to London where, to his surprise, instead of being washed up and consigned to a desk he's offered a chance to have his revenge by becoming a pawn in a brilliantly-conceived plot to destroy Mundt. But in order to do so he has to stay out in the cold a little longer...

Starring the award-winning Simon Russell Beale as Smiley, and with a distinguished cast including Brian Cox as Alec Leamas, this tense, compelling dramatisation perfectly captures the atmosphere of le Carré's taut, intricate thriller.

©2009 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2009 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
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What listeners say about The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Dramatised)

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Best Cold War Spy Novel Ever!

I've watched it, I've read it and I've listened to it...several times each...and now this dramatization which I really enjoyed. I think I have it figured out too, lol. Excellent!

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Great Story

I love this version of le Carre's book. The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is a great addition to the Smiley series. I love dramatized versions because it's like a play than a book. Similar to the HGTTG series. Great acting and a thrilling story.


AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

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Wonderful dramatization

What did you love best about The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Dramatised)?

Excellent acting - intricate plot.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The surprising ending ( don't want to spoil it) . Also, the characters are engaging - you care what happens to them.

What does Simon Russell Beale bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great voice - very human character yet supreme spy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but can't say for risk of revealing too much!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Smashing spy story with a surprising twist!

Loved listening to this spy thriller. It was Very addictive listening to the twists and turns. The actors were fantastic. It was like listening to a movie!

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astounding script

a plot cleverly devised by British intelligence in order to cover (and save) the position of a nazi whose allegiance is UK inside the Abteilung that went OK but at a brutal cost.

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Superb in Every Way

I cannot praise this production enough. Originally I thought I had made a mistake by ordering a dramatisation instead of the whole novel, but within a half-hour I was enthralled by the extraordinary vocalisations, dramatic yet subtle radio-like sound-effects, and of course the complex realism of Le Carre's writing. Highly recommended if you do not want to read the entire novel. Listening to this abridgement, you may want to read the entire novel!

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Great Read, times gone by

Where does The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (Dramatised) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best Audibles. Rapid moving, short story. Timeless story of political history, murder mystery. A wonderful intorduction to the Audible books.

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Gripping and consistently surprising

Terrific performance by an ensemble cast, incredible and intriguing plot, and the perfect length for a quick road trip. Highly recommended.

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Excellent

Wonderful acting from Brian Cox et Al. An exciting spy thriller with unexpected twists and ending


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Still gripping after 53 years

I read the novel in English class junior year of high school. Very well acted and a worthwhile trip back to the Cold War.

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