In 2006 Publishers Weekly named “The Spy Who Came in
from the Cold” the best spy novel of all time. My guess is that it’s not
without reason that the book had earned the title. It’s not for me to say since
I’ve only read a few spy novels, maybe two or three. All I can say is that it’s
one of the most gripping books I’ve ever read. It’s that kind of novel that I
didn’t want to end despite my sustained desire to know how it would end. And
when it ended, I couldn’t move right away with so much awe.
Richard Burton in The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965)
I saw the film adaptation of this book early last
year – the one directed by Martin Ritt in 1965. I had to see it again right
after I read the book yesterday. It was then I realized that there were a few
minor changes in the film adaptation (with reference to the book) that I could
forgive. But the film was as riveting as the book. The amorality of the
espionage business has been masterfully depicted in both the book and film.
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