The Mission Song

John le Carre was born in 1931. His third novel, THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD, secured him a wide reputation which was consolidated by the acclaim for his trilogy TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, THE HONOURABLE SCHOOLBOY and SMILEY'S PEOPLE. His other novels include THE CONSTANT GARDENER, A MOST WANTED MAN and OUR KIND OF TRAITOR.

'I imagine this is the first time that le Carre has been mentioned in the same breath as Updike and Roth. They, after all, are Literary Novelists with a capital L and N, whereas Le Carre is ... well, what is he? Actually he is sui generis. Or, rather, he is his own genre. Quite an achievement that.' -- Sunday Telegraph 'THE MISSION SONG is meticulously researched, and the tricks and tactics of being a top interpreter are convincingly rendered. You're left with the uncomfortable feeling that perhaps politicians, journalists, civil servants and the businessmen really are the lying, amoral bastards portrayed here. Perhaps it isn't only in le Carre's world, but in the real world too, that we're unwise to believe what we are told.' -- Independent on Sunday 20060917 'Fast-paced and entertaining' -- Times Literary Supplement 20060917 'Exquisitely crafted' -- Daily Mail 20060917 'Le Carre's eye is undimmed, his passion for his craft as strong as it ever was. He delivers a tale that few could equal and none will surpass.' -- Observer 20060917 'le Carre shows no sign of slowing up or losing touch.' -- Spectator 20060917 'This thriller exhibits his familiar strengths: superbly realised characters; a succession of knockout scenes nobody else could produce; and a distinctive ability to fuse social comedy and moral anger ... Mesmerising.' -- Sunday Times 20060917 'Bold, vigorous and extremely funny.' -- Evening Standard 20060917 'I think it's very good' -- John Sutherland, 'Front Row', BBC Radio 4 20060917 'A formidably sophisticated work of fiction, full of energy, rage and great humour. All the qualities for which le Carre's fiction has been admired - his descriptive powers, his electrifying dialogue, his cynicism in the presence of corporate greed and government power - are visible in THE MISSION SONG. That this great English novelist continues to produce work of this calibre with such frequency is simply astonishing.' -- Charles Cumming, Mail on Sunday 20060917