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A Legacy of Spies
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A Legacy of Spies

novel by le Carré
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Quick Summary

"A Legacy of Spies" is a 2017 novel by John le Carré that revisits characters and events from his earlier work, "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold". The novel delves into the complexities of espionage during the Cold War era, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral compromises made in the name of national security.12

The story centers on George Smiley, a retired British intelligence agent, who is drawn back into the world of spies to confront a past operation. Le Carré is known for his realistic portrayal of espionage, moving away from the glamorous depictions often found in the genre and focusing on the psychological toll and moral ambiguity faced by his characters. "A Legacy of Spies" weaves together past and present, offering a retrospective on the clandestine world le Carré so masterfully depicted.134

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
5 Britannica Sources
  1. John le Carré
  2. George Smiley
  3. Words from the Clandestine World of John le Carré | Cold War
  4. The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
  5. spy story

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