Acclaimed novelist Frederick Forsyth, known for writing 'Day of the Jackal', passes away at 86, reveals his literary agent.
Spry, Savvy Scribe Frederick Forsyth: A Thrilling Life and Career
Bid farewell to the thrilling world of espionage as we remember Frederick Forsyth, the British author of heart-pounding bestsellers like "The Day of the Jackal," who've left us at the tender age of 86 following a brief illness.
According to his astute agent, Jonathan Lloyd, Forsyth passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his beloved family. Lloyd can't help but lament the public's loss, calling Forsyth one of the world's premier thriller writers.
Hailing from sunny Kent in 1938, Forsyth took off as a Royal Air Force pilot before finding his true calling as a foreign correspondent. His life and career took a dramatic turn when he chronicled the attempted assassination of French President Charles de Gaulle in 1962, serving as the inspiration for his left-leaning blockbuster, "The Day of the Jackal."
Published in 1971, the tale of a master assassin rocketed Forsyth to international fame. The novel was later adapted into a movie starring Edward Fox as the Jackal and, more recently, a television series featuring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
Intrigued by the shadows, Forsyth divulged to BBC in 2015 that he held a lengthy stint working for the British intelligence agency MI6, starting during his time covering the Nigerian civil war in the 1960s. Although Forsyth offered glimpses into his clandestine work, he asserted that he was unpaid for his services and it was difficult to turn them down during the tense Cold War era.
Over the course of his impressive career, Forsyth penned more than 25 books – some key reads include "The Afghan," "The Kill List," and "The Dogs of War" - which have enraptured the minds and hearts of millions worldwide, according to Lloyd. In August, "Revenge of Odessa," a sequel to the 1974 book "The Odessa File" cowritten with fellow thriller author Tony Kent, will grace the shelves.
"To this day, Freddie's thrillers remain read by millions across the globe," publisher Bill Scott-Kerr paid his respects, shining a light on the literary giant's enduring legacy.
Recommended Reading:
- Forsyth’s Life in Intrigue: Dive into the thrilling life of this enigmatic author in his autobiography, "The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue."
- The Cold War Espionage Tales to Remember: For those seeking an authentic glimpse into the difficulty of spycraft and the pulse-pounding thrills it offers, Forsyth's novels provide an unparalleled reading experience.
- The Legacy of the Literary Spy: Explore how Forsyth's distinct writing style, rooted in his espionage background, served as the blueprint for the modern thriller genre.
Invest a memorable reading experience with Frederick Forsyth's compilation of books, which offer insights into the world of espionage and entertainment. For instance, his autobiography, "The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue," provides a captivating account of his life, while novels like "The Afghan," "The Kill List," and "The Dogs of War" deliver engrossing tales of clandestine operations.
