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John le Carré fans can exhale.
Silverview, the master storyteller’s 26th and final novel, has arrived and it’s cause for celebration.
With the book reportedly shelved a number of times over the past few years, there’s been some concern that it might not be up to the exacting standards of the esteemed British author (once a British spy named David Cornwell), who passed away last year at age 89.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth: Silverview is a propulsive and elegantly written tale about the turbulent life and times of Edward Avon, a mysterious stranger in a small English seaside town who enters a bookshop minutes before closing time. What follows is a fully formed thriller that provides a stinging look at the British Secret Service operating under crisis. Less labyrinthine than some of le Carré’s early work, it has all the grand themes of his best novels — love and betrayal, loyalty and morality — fully on display.
For those new to le Carré, a ranking of his best:
10. The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories From My Life (2016)
In le Carré’s enthralling memoir, the world-class raconteur recounts the fascinating moments of his life, with storytelling of the highest order.
9. Absolute Friends (2003)
Friendship, love and betrayal are writ large in this decade-spanning story of two politically minded friends. It’s a devastating and under-appreciated gem set in the post 9/11 world.
