Suleika Dawson
The Telegraph Books to Read Autumn 2022
A Times Best Non-fiction Book for Autumn 2022
Suleika Dawson abridged and helped produce all of John le Carré’s Cold War novels as audiobooks, spending many long sessions with the author in sound studios as he recorded his own works for the first time. She was his literary researcher on his most autobiographical novel, A Perfect Spy, entrusted with uncovering long-buried details of his dead father’s errant life, and was also le Carré’s mistress,
twice over. She has a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from Oxford University. She is a novelist, a ghost-writer and still occasionally an audio producer.
She is the author of THE SECRET HEART: John le Carré: An intimate Memoir which was published by HarperCollins in October 2022
A Times Best Non-fiction Book for Autumn 2022
Suleika Dawson abridged and helped produce all of John le Carré’s Cold War novels as audiobooks, spending many long sessions with the author in sound studios as he recorded his own works for the first time. She was his literary researcher on his most autobiographical novel, A Perfect Spy, entrusted with uncovering long-buried details of his dead father’s errant life, and was also le Carré’s mistress,
twice over. She has a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from Oxford University. She is a novelist, a ghost-writer and still occasionally an audio producer.
She is the author of THE SECRET HEART: John le Carré: An intimate Memoir which was published by HarperCollins in October 2022
'Very sharp and funny' Jake Kerridge, The Daily Telegraph
‘A profound character study of a great writer’ The Times
‘A posthumous love-letter to David Cornwell…le Carré’s private life seems to be perfectly aligned to his work.’ The Daily Telegraph
‘Those interested in le Carré will discover much fascinating detail’ – Adam Sisman, Spectator
‘A sly and clever book… [Dawson] is always aware of the complex duplicities Le Carré is indulging in’ – William Boyd, New Statesman
‘A fascinating insight into how the betrayal, infidelity and lies that are at the heart of Le Carré’s spy novels were duplicated with exhausting precision in his private life’ Daily Mail
'Dawson’s tell-all never once claims victimhood, yet hints at the cost… it’s unmistakably sad by the end.' The Guardian
‘A profound character study of a great writer’ The Times
‘A posthumous love-letter to David Cornwell…le Carré’s private life seems to be perfectly aligned to his work.’ The Daily Telegraph
‘Those interested in le Carré will discover much fascinating detail’ – Adam Sisman, Spectator
‘A sly and clever book… [Dawson] is always aware of the complex duplicities Le Carré is indulging in’ – William Boyd, New Statesman
‘A fascinating insight into how the betrayal, infidelity and lies that are at the heart of Le Carré’s spy novels were duplicated with exhausting precision in his private life’ Daily Mail
'Dawson’s tell-all never once claims victimhood, yet hints at the cost… it’s unmistakably sad by the end.' The Guardian