John le Carré

Since 1995 John le Carré has produced some truly excellent novels.

In earlier years he wrote what was in essence a number of great spy novels, which I also read with pleasure, but hey were spy novels, not more. Then with The Little Drummer Girl there was suddenly a different le Carré. He had somehow stopped writing bestselling spy thrillers and had started writing literature.

Although still mostly set in the shadow world of espionage, his novels have become darker, more complex, more human, and much more interesting. His characters evolve, are conflicted, and are mostly deeply tragic figures. And don't hope for anything even resembling a happy ending.

In my humble opinion John le Carré is underrated by many. His reputation is still that of "just" a thriller writer, but in my view he has evolved to become a great novellist. Read The Constant Gardener, Single & Single, A Most Wanted Man, or The Tailor of Panama and judge yourselves.