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The Spy Who Came In from the Cold

novel by le Carré

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The Spy Who Came In from the Cold is a 1963 novel by John le Carré. It is a realistic spy novel that centers on Alec Leamas, an aging British intelligence agent tasked with discrediting an East German official. Unlike the glamorous spies often depicted in fiction, Leamas is portrayed as a lonely and alienated individual. The novel was a significant success, adapted into a popular film in 1965. The term "in from the cold" has come to mean returning to normal life after a challenging period, such as an undercover assignment.123

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