Stephen Fry, Donald Tusk, Stephen King and more pay tribute to John Le Carré, who has died aged 89

Tributes are pouring in for John Le Carré, following news of his death over the weekend. The novelist, who was 89, died from pneumonia on Saturday.

The English author is best remembered for his novels The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, The Looking Glass War, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Smiley's People, The Little Drummer Girl, The Night Manager, The Tailor of Panama, The Constant Gardener, A Most Wanted Man and Our Kind of Traitor.

Author Stephen King is among those to have paid tribute to John Le Carré, describing him as "a literary giant and a humanitarian spirit."

John le Carre has passed at the age of 89. This terrible year has claimed a literary giant and a humanitarian spirit.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 13, 2020

THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL was one of the best novels I’ve ever read.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) December 14, 2020

"[If] there is a contemporary writer who's given me richer pleasure I can't for the moment name them," Stephen Fry wrote of Le Carré.

John le Carré … if there is a contemporary writer who's given me richer pleasure I can't for the moment name them. I suppose the best one can do to honour his great life & talent is go back to "Call For The Dead" and reread all his books. The very opposite of a chore -

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 13, 2020

See more tributes below:

“I’m not just a Remainer. I’m a European through and through, and the rats have taken over the ship”. RIP John le Carré.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtuskEPP) December 14, 2020

#JohnLeCarre was a brilliant story teller & a master writer. If you haven't read his work, do so & marvel at his ability to marshal the English language. He was more than a spy novelist. He illuminated the fundamental tensions of human interaction. Thank you, David Cornwall. RIP.

— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) December 13, 2020

Very sad to hear the news about #JohnLeCarre A giant of literature who left his mark on #MI6 through his evocative & brilliant novels. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans. Condolences from all at the #RiverHouse. #RIP #DavidCornwell

— Richard Moore (@ChiefMI6) December 14, 2020

We are sad to share the news that the great chronicler of our age, John le Carré, has passed away. https://t.co/34y697PQpI

Photo credit: Nadav Kander pic.twitter.com/Ii02hlTNWv

— Penguin Books (@PenguinBooks) December 13, 2020

No writer captured the cloak and dagger subterfuge of the Cold War better than John Le Carré. I interviewed him for 60 Minutes over 30 years ago, and I remember a sharp mind and penetrating eyes. His work will be read for generations. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/DOc5vZO8A4

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 13, 2020