The latest book by John Le Carré, considered the master of the international spy story, was published posthumously in the United Kingdom. 'Silverview' is the title of the 26 / o novel by the English author who died last December at the age of 89, and tells of an unusual friendship between a former banker from the City and a Polish immigrant in a town by the sea. However, the quiet is soon broken by the arrival of a British spy.
The volume, published by Penguin Viking (in Italy by Mondadori in 2022), is destined to climb the charts quickly and the UK press has already published enthusiastic reviews, such as that of the Guardian, which speaks of "a clear prose, a well-structured plot "and reiterates that there are all the ingredients for yet another success.
Le Carré, whose real name is David Cornwell, left an indelible mark on English literature, recreated the British spy novel in his own image, mixing the Tory spy with raw realism. The former intelligence officer perhaps with 'Silverview' wanted to leave a further and emblematic sign of his style with a small enigma. In fact, as his agent, Jonny Geller revealed, it remains a "mystery" that the writer wanted the volume to be released in bookstores only after his death. Geller had received in 2014 a letter from Le Carré warning him of his choice: "I have decided that this is not the time, but if you wish to publish it after my death, with the permission of my children, you have my blessing". L'authorization of the children arrived and among other things they hinted that other unpublished material by the author could be published.