John le Carré, the author of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has died aged 89 of pneumonia.
In a statement from his literary agency, The Curtis Brown Group, CEO Jonny Geller said “It is with great sadness that I must share the news that David Cornwell, known to the world as John le Carré, passed away after a short illness (not Covid-19 related) in Cornwall on Saturday evening, 12th December, 2020.
CURTIS BROWN GROUP
Author John le Carre has died aged 89.
“He was 89. 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.
READ MORE:
* Porirua: Gears and beers at a burgeoning outdoor capital
* Award-winning Kiwi author Stephanie Johnson writes erotic novel under pseudonym
* Fan imagines what it would be like if Tom Hardy played James Bond
“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.”
The actor Alec Guinness played George Smiley in the 1979 BBC TV series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Le Carré’s last novel, Agent Running in the Field, was published in October 2019.
”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,” Geller said.
A brief family statement paid tribute to the hospital staff in Cornwall who’d looked after le Carré.
“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,” it concluded.
