Spy fiction

Thriller writer most famous for stories of complex cold war intrigue began his career as a real-life spy in postwar Europe

British best-selling author David Cornwell, better known as John le Carre whose Cold War-era spy novels transformed the espionage genre, died over the weekend, his literary agent said. He was 89 years old.

His family said le Carre died Saturday night in Cornwall, Britain, from pneumonia after a short battle with the illness.

John le Carre, a spy turned novelist who became the preeminent writer of espionage fiction in English, has died at age 89.

Le Carre's literary agency, Curtis Brown, said on Dec. 13 that he died in Cornwall, southwest England on Saturday after a short illness. The death was not related to COVID-19.

A great deal has changed since Matt Damon played Jason Bourne in “The Bourne Ultimatum” eight years ago. World developments such as Edward Snowden’s exposition of NSA’s surveillance practises and Greece’s financial meltdown inspired Damon and director Paul Greengrass to create the latest chapter in the film series.

It’s the photo-shoot that cost one of Iran’s most famous film stars permanent exile from the Islamic Republic. The reason? Nude pics, and ones of nubile actress Golshifteh Farahani no less.
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