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John le Carré dies at 89, Internet pays tribute to 'the perfect spy' and bestselling author of Cold War novels

'The world has no idea what has been lost. John le Carré lead a life Bond himself would envy. You want adventure? Read about the life of this incredibly courageous man,' wrote a fan

British spy novelist, John le Carré who is known for his novels like, 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' and 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' died on Saturday, December 12, at the age of 89. The news was confirmed by the literary agency, according to which he died after suffering from a "short illness" reportedly unrelated to Covid-19.

Born as David John Moore Cornwell, Le Carré was an actual spy, in addition to just writing about them. After completing his studies in foreign languages, he got a job in the British Military where he used to interrogate people who had crossed from the East into the West. At the time when the cold war was in full swing, he started working with MI5.

In MI5 he investigated far left Soviet sympathizers at a college in Oxford. During the 1950s and 1960s, he worked for both the Security Service (MI5) and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).

His novel, 'The Spy Who Came In from the Cold', was released in 1963 and became an international bestseller after which he left MI6 to become a full-time author. Almost all of his work has been used in film and tv shows adaptation.

 His 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), 'A Most Wanted Man' (2008) and 'Our Kind of Traitor' (2010). 

A lot of respect was paid online as soon as the news of his death made its way to social media. One Internet user wrote, "John Le Carre was an immensely entertaining novelist who was most likely a great spy — but I guess we’ll never know." Another said, "Wonderful writer who always honored his characters with complex moral compasses and imperfections. His post-9/11 books casting a critical eye on the 'war on terror' are courageous and brilliant."

Blaming the year, "2020", one wrote, "2020 has been a bad year for well-known people passing away but I still think 2016 was worse for that. RIP John." Another one said, "He gave us so much pleasure. He will be remembered."

A fan remembered him and said, "The world has no idea what has been lost tonight. John le Carré lead a life Bond himself would envie. The secrets that died with this man will now never be revealed. You want adventure? Read about the life of this incredibly courageous man. RIP Mr. Cornwell #JohnLeCarre." A user noted, "Damn.. he was The Perfect Spy."

A fan gave recommendations of his best work and said, "Wrote many books of my youth that made me wiser for reading. I suggest the excellent AMC 'Night Manager' with Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston at their best. I'll re-read 'The Honerable Schoolboy' and finally sit down and watch the BBC 'Smileys People' with Alec Guinness."

Honoring his work, another tweeted, "Wow, this year won't quit. Le Carre wrote top-shelf spy novels. Not Bond stuff, his work portrayed actual espionage work."