With A Legacy of Spies, John le Carre returns to the scene of the novel that put him on the map. While the much publicised return of George Smiley is making the headlines, the story is set upon the shoulders, in my opinion, of one of his most interesting characters, Smiley’s right hand, Peter Guillam.

John le Carre by Adam Sisman

Literary biography can be a tricky thing. An academic writing about another academic, author or poet, can usually result in a book that is worthy and as dry as the sahara. For some, these are wonderful books, for me, I'd rather eat one than wade through it. In a few cases, the author's life is more interesting than their creations. But, very rarely, do they mesh as well as David Cornwell's.