John le Carré, the pen name of David Cornwell, 89, who wrote The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, A Perfect Spy, Tinker, Tailer, Solidier Spy, and many more, died of pneumonia December 12, in Cornwall, England. Johnny Geller, his longtime agent at Curtis Brown UK, said in an announcement on Sunday night, “John le Carré was an undisputed giant of English literature. He defined the Cold War era and fearlessly spoke truth to power in the decades that followed.”
Brian Tart, president & publisher of Viking Penguin, said, “It has been an honor to be John le Carré’s publisher in the US. He was a true master storyteller, and was as important to culture and politics as he was to literature. He will be greatly missed.”
The author’s family wrote in a statement, “David is survived by his beloved wife of almost fifty years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon. We all grieve deeply his passing. Our thanks go to the wonderful NHS team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for the care and compassion that he was shown throughout his stay. We know they share our sadness.”
At Klutz, Netta Rabin has been named vp, publisher & head of product development and Hannah Rogge executive director. At Scholastic Press, Ben Gartenberg and Maya Marlette each become associate editor. Jess Harold has been promoted to assistant editor at Scholastic Press and Orchard Books.
Baroness Lola Young will join the board of Bloomsbury as a non-executive director, starting January 1. Young will also become a member of the nomination committee.
Corporate
While Vivendi eyes claiming at least part of Lagardere Publishing and bids on book publishing assets in the US, the acquisitive media conglomerate is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Gruner + Jahr/Bertelsmann’s French magazine group, Prisma Media.