LE CARRé, John.

John le Carré Autograph Letter Signed. [with] Autograph Research Notebook for Absolute Friends.

Rare Autograph Letter Signed by John LE CARRÉ; with his Research Notebook for his bestselling espionage novel Absolute Friends

$12,500.00

In Stock Item Number: RRB-148921

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Autograph letter signed by British author John le Carré, with his original notebook while researching Absolute Friends. Octavo, two pages, the letter reads in full, "23 Nov '06 Dear Adrienne, This really is too much! Of course I have copies, but none in the original format, and now you have most generously and sweetly provided me with one. How can I thank you? I came upon this little notebook that I kept - then ignored, I suppose - while I was researching 'Absolute Friends'. It dates from when I was in Hamburg, being shown the mosques and informing myself about muslims in Germany. The rest of my papers will go to the Bodleian Library at Oxford, but this is for you, with my thanks and good wishes for a great life! Best David Cornwell (John le Carré)." In fine condition with mail folds. Accompanied by le Carré's personal research notebook written entirely in his own hand for his espionage novel Absolute Friends (2003). Including drafting notes on names, backgrounds, religious structure, languages, and character notes. Such as, "Zara's background: Country girl, arranged marriage with a Turk in Germany who turns out to be a brute", "The religious structure. Does Mundy take instruction? Who from? Does Zara go with him? Do they attend the Mosque together?" and "Language of sermons, introduction - German, Turkish - Arabic?" Duodecimo, original boards. In fine condition. A unique piece of history and insight into one of the great spy writers of all-time.

David John Moore Cornwell, better known by his pen name John le Carré, was a British-Irish author, best known for his espionage novels. During the 1950s and 1960s, he worked for both the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). His third novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963), became an international best-seller and remains one of his best-known works. His other books include The Looking Glass War (1965), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974), Smiley's People (1979), The Little Drummer Girl (1983), The Night Manager (1993), The Tailor of Panama (1996), The Constant Gardener (2001), Absolute Friends (2003), A Most Wanted Man (2008), and Our Kind of Traitor (2010), all of which have been adapted for film or television.