Inspirational Authors: Graham Greene

For the latest in my line up of inspirational writers, I had to talk about Graham Greene. I first picked up one of his books when I saw Monsignor Quixote (I vaguely recall a TV program of the book?) and from that moment I was hooked. Whimsical, charming, but with edge, it is much like his other titles. All well worth reading.
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Mike

[@loretta_3843]

I started with "Our Man in Havana" and I was hooked and read 14 of them last year. Third man and Tenth Man too. I adore Graham Greene!

[@writerlywitterings]

I have a similar affection for him and his writing! I find his writing really absorbing, and he gets into the minds of his protagonists better than almost any writer I can think of today. Thanks for the comment!

[@lucianapennelli8514]

Thank you so much for the fascinating discussione about Graham Greene. I wrote a short essay about him for the exam for fully qualified teachers.one of the greatest novelists of last century.

[@ericbilly]

i absolutely love how he captures the sense of mans isolation in the modern world; the angsts and insecurities and sense of impermeable loneliness that speaks to my soul (and surely to the souls of many others)

[@kinslowrainer3982]

In that case, I highly recommend The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford.

[@writerlywitterings]

I'm sure you're right there. Sadly I don't think he's read anything like as much as he should be nowadays, but I go back to him regularly.

[@mame-musing]

I’m always glad to see discussions of Graham Greene’s work on YT. Your video just popped up now in Sept 2024. Have you read much More Greene since you posted this. About 30 years ago I had gone on a binge of reading his work as well as two substantial biographies of Greene. His life story is every bit as engrossing as his fiction. I think “Our Man in Havana” was one of the first I read and soon followed with “The Power and the Glory”. The Power with its menacing atmosphere of intense anti-clericalism Mexico was quite a departure from the “lighter” more satirical “Havana”. Looking back, I wish I had written down the titles of the many of his works which I read.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to confess, I haven't had much time to read any books in the last few years, other than research material. It's the bugger about being an author - we go into writing because we love reading, and then discover we have very little time for reading for pleasure! I've just been naughty and taken a week off to read a Tom Sharpe, but now it's back into work again ... ah, well!

[@A.Pheno-Menon]

It has really been a while since I have read Graham Greene's books. The one book of his that I clearly remember reading is 'Dr. Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party.' I found it very interesting. It was through George Michael (the music artist) that I became aware of Graham Greene as he was one of his favourite writers. I think he mentioned 'A Gun for Sale' as one of his favourites. Anyway, thank you for the recommendations. It was nice watching your video. Greetings from India.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, my friend - and yes, another excellent book.

[@christopheradam3588]

The Power and the Glory and The Heart of the Matter were my favourites from Greene. He and Evelyn Waugh are the two English twentieth century authors I most admire.

[@writerlywitterings]

I much prefer Greene, I have to say - some of Waugh's books are brilliant, but I've not read a Greene book that I didn't enjoy - and usually have to sit back and think about, too. Thanks, Christopher!

[@barrybarnes96]

Wonderful. Thank you. Just getting interested in him as a 20th century literary figure. Love your chair and cozy room.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Barry - he's a highly recommended writer. Hope you enjoy his works - and yes, it's a cozy room!

[@transitny]

He's been an inspiration to me and many others. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on him.

[@writerlywitterings]

My pleasure! He's one of those writers I can keep returning to and always find something new!

[@herrklamm1454]

Loved Brighton Rock, The Heart of the Matter and Our Man in Havana. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read any Graham Greene since I was in high school 20 years ago. I have The Power and the Glory, Honorary Consul and The Quiet American on my bookshelves - you have convinced me to read more Greene, thank you!

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to go back and read some more of his books myself! Glad you liked the video.

[@ant7936]

I read all his novels 30 years ago and I'm reading a few again, now. They have also been given very good film adaptations; The Third Man, The Quiet American (twice), Brighton Rock (twice) and The End of the Affair, etc I like his Catholic themes of redemption and damnation!

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Ant, and thanks for that. I have to agree. I think his books are brilliant explorations/examinations of people and how they react to events. I can't think of an English writer who has the same vision and skill of writing, sadly.

[@kinslowrainer3982]

Greene is probably my second-favorite author, after le Carré. My favorites of his were The Heart of the Matter, The Quiet American, A Burnt-Out Case, and The Comedians. (I highly recommend reading A Burnt-Out Case if you haven't, yet.) You did a very good summation of what Greene's writing was like. I couldn't agree more.

[@writerlywitterings]

That is one book of his I haven't read yet (A Burnt-Out Case). I'll have to try it. Thanks for the recommendation and the positive comments!

[@ericbilly]

a list of all my favorites as well! of course id have to include the power and the glory too

[@kinslowrainer3982]

@@ericbilly That one had a good story, but I felt Greene would've done a better job had he waited another decade. It's the same way I feel about le Carré's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.

[@NigelFryatt]

Graham Greene is such an excellent writer. Another author on a similar ilk , who always seems to be overlooked, is the Scottish author, Allan Massie. His books are insightful, and like Greene's take a human dilemma and expands on it.

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes, and to my shame, I have to admit I've not read any of Massie's books in ages. Must get back to a couple.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Graham Greene is amazing! My introduction to him was The Third Man, but I didn't know it at the time. Where I discovered his name was the book "The Power and the Glory" which was a stunning book about a really dark period in Mexican history. Another to consider is John Buchan. He had an interesting personal history, and predated a lot of the authors like Graham Greene and John le Carré. He even had quite a good book about what the Europeans saw as a fun adventure, but what was, to the locals, a disaster: "The Courts of the Morning."

[@writerlywitterings]

That's one book I haven't had a chance to read yet. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@timlonergan7484]

I really enjoyed this, especially because the so called big 4 or 5 are hardly mentioned, and I have just bought many of the recommendations here. I have read the quiet American and if any of the others get close I will be delighted

[@writerlywitterings]

Ah, you have to look at the others. I like the Quiet American, but the others are equally high standard. You need to take a look at The Confidential Agent, The Third Man, Our Man in Havanna, The Comedians, The Honorary Consul and, of course, Monsignor Quixote. All superb!

[@2overLee]

Nice introduction to Greene. I can't agree on The Confidential Agent but I definitely do on The Honorary Consul. He wrote so many good books.

[@writerlywitterings]

I totally agree!

[@writerlywitterings]

Apart from The Confidential Agent!

[@tracywhited]

Great to know. I’ve read two of his and loved them !! Especially the confidential agent !!

[@writerlywitterings]

Oh, yes. A wonderful story!

[@wearethenightparty]

Thanks! I've got to check out Monsignor Quixote (if I can drag myself out of the present Aubrey-Maturin hole!)

[@writerlywitterings]

Highly recommended as a short diversion. It's a lovely story, superbly written.

[@Kammmwoooods]

Loved the comedians, and the power and the glory

[@writerlywitterings]

The Comedians was a great book - but most of his were!

[@sachakahn2052]

I once read somewhere that Greene's experiences with MI6 in Africa, especially the sloppy fact-checking (resulting in for instance the allied forces' bombing of a shoe factory that was thought to be a German weapon's plant), formed the inspiration for 'Our man in Havana'.

[@writerlywitterings]

I wouldn't be at all surprised. The incompetence of Military Intelligence has always been commented upon, in all wars, and generally by all armies! The main problem always/often seems to be that with a real hot war, suddenly intelligence officers are confronted with infinitely more information than they are used to, and cannot cope. This was most evident in the Gulf War, when intelligence officers had so much data coming in to be analysed, that in the end whole streams of information were cut away so that the officers could concentrate on the stuff that mattered, so I understand.

[@JBFire97]

Thank you, there have been none of his books I have not enjoyed. You also mentioned another of my firm favourites, John le Carré.

[@writerlywitterings]

Cheers, Paul - and I'm glad your tastes and mine are still in sync!

[@markjames1908]

Started reading “ The Quiet American” the other day and about 25% done. His writing so far is incredible. It’s going really well on theme with my other books I’m in the middle of, “ Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad, and “ The Motorcycle Diaries” by Ernesto Che Guevara.

[@writerlywitterings]

He was an amazing writer - one of my personal greats, obviously. You do have to read more of his books!

[@yxvoegl2263]

Greene is one of my favorites. Try The Burnt out Case, The Comedians, The Quiet American, and of course The Power and the Glory

[@writerlywitterings]

Loved The Comedians and The Quiet American - I'll get the other two!

[@babyirene3188]

Nice breakdown of a master

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks!

[@anuradhainamdar8967]

Read his " Heart of the matter ".only. will read more of novels. Great summation.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to admit, that was the book I found most difficult - deeply atmospheric, but ... well, not an easy read! Thanks, Anuradha.

[@1969JohnnyM]

Having read the great Don Quixote a few years earlier, i picked up Monsignor Quixote from a car boot sale and it was the first Graham Greene book that i was to read but it was not the last. Greene's books are a great read and hard to put down after you've started and are interlaced with humorous incidents. The part of the book that he mistakenly goes to the cinema and sees a blue movie rather than a film about the Virgin Mary was very funny. I cannot recommend Greene enough to those who want a good read by a very good writer.

[@writerlywitterings]

Absolutely! He's sadly become a forgotten author, with few younger readers picking up his works, but they're really worth reading. Thanks for the comment, John!

[@GetGoodatAnything]

Reading The Quiet American now. Its good so far. Its not a big book. Pretty good story layout.

[@writerlywitterings]

Haven't read it in a while now, but all his books are good enough to go back to many times!

[@the16thGemini]

I really enjoyed your thoughts on Graham Greene and Frederick Forsyth. Two exceptional writers who really did a great job of capturing the Cold War era. If you should make future "Inspirational Authors" would Eric Ambler or Alistair Maclean be considered ? Ambler one of the forerunners of modern spy fiction and Maclean the great generalist who mastered suspense and action.

[@writerlywitterings]

Ah, well now. I can't actually talk about Ambler because I have never read any of his books, sadly. I'll have to try to rectify that. On the Maclean question ... I have to confess, I tried to reread some of his books recently and was really not able to. I have to say, I don't think his writing has aged well. For preference I would go to the films made of his books. Really sorry not to be able to agree there! However, I think it's time I made a few more videos. One will definitely be about Simon Conway, a fabulous writer who is just getting recognised and is well worth seeking out.

[@the16thGemini]

@@writerlywitterings I appreciate your response. Eric Ambler as you may know, was an influence on Frederick Forsyth and even Ian Fleming. His first six novels are highly regarded as classics. Much like Graham Greene, Eric Ambler is viewed as a foundational influence on spy fiction. Indeed Alister Maclean has had many great adaptations. His novel "The Secret Ways" did a great job of capturing the Hungarian Revolution and the Cold War politics. Much like "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold (LeCarre) you feel the reality. All the best !!!!

[@rwrae72]

Just finished Journey Without Maps. Reading The Heart of the Matter now.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks - glad you liked the video!

[@mikesnyder1788]

An American here and I salute your survey of this great writer! GG is a must read for anyone who is interested in state of affairs in the post war colonial world. And then there's Travels with my Aunt, which is one of my all-time favorites! Definitely should have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature!

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks, Mike - and I quite agree. He was an extraordinary writer - not a very nice person, perhaps, but you could say that about a lot of writers!

[@mikesnyder1788]

@@writerlywitterings I know he was not viewed favorably by some people but then perhaps we was too correct in his observations about particular nations and their behavior in Asia, Africa, and South America. Correct, some writers were really head cases! My favorite author, Charles Dickens, was generally well liked but he treated his wife terribly! Regards...

[@IvanKinsmanSDP]

To be honest I have always veered around Graham Greene other than The Third Man and Brighton Rock. The first was turned into a film starring Orson Welles and Brighton Rock is also very good.

[@writerlywitterings]

I think The Third Man was actually a film that Greene scripted, which he then turned into his novella. An excellent read - but seriously, go back and try his others to - they're superb.

[@pamelaboxall7015]

Also, how about H G Wells? As well as his novels, he wrote one of my all-time favourite short stories - A Dream of Armageddon.

[@writerlywitterings]

Such a genius for his ideas - ie War of the Worlds, Time Machine ... a truly inventive mind. Thanks for that idea too!

[@Robutube1]

@@writerlywitterings It's worth checking out his non-science fiction in my opinion; "A History of Mr Polly", "Kipps" and "Tono Bungay" are good places to start with this largely forgotten part of his oeuvre. Once in the rhythm of his Edwardian language, his writing is a delight and he repays that effort in spades.

[@joenperkins2138]

Enjoyed as usual. Thanks.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Joen - glad you like these still!

[@patrikenander1065]

Just startaed with my first. The end of the affair. Excellent!!

[@writerlywitterings]

He really was a brilliant writer. Try THE COMEDIANS about Haiti, or THE CONFIDENTIAL AGENT (which was brilliant) - and for a more relaxing read, I recommend MONSIGNOR QUIXOTE, as I mentioned in the video! Happy reading, Patrik, and thanks for the comment!

[@carolinefiller4898]

I loved Monsignor Quixote and End Of The Affair, also enjoyed Heart Of The Matter

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, Caroline! Glad you enjoyed his books too!

[@pamelaboxall7015]

I will throw my hat in the ring for an Asimov review soon, please.

[@writerlywitterings]

I'll see what I can do - a comparison between his and Arthur C Clark might be interesting ... hmm...

[@kierangallagher315]

I well remember the TV adaptation of Monsignor Quixote with Alec Guiness as Don Quixote and Leo Mckern as Sancho Zancas. Suprised you just focused on the entertainment/spy thrillers he wrote whilst ignoring tremendous works such as "The Quiet American" and "The Power and The Glory". Surely his aspirations, at their highest, were to be another Doestoevsky not just another Josph Conrad. I consider the short story "A visit to Morin" to be one of his highest achievements.

[@writerlywitterings]

AH, I don't disagree - this series was based much more on the books which I had to hand in my library while making the videos. I totally agree with you. I still rate Monsignor Quixote as a work of humorous brilliance, and just wish I'd seen the TV adaptation. I'll look that up - thanks!

[@OldBluesChapterandVerse]

I’ve only read Brighton Rock and The End of the Affair. I found the first one sinister and creepy, the second profound and tragic. I’ve been chomping at the bit to read The Power and the Glory for some time.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to admit, I haven't read Brighton Rock for some years - but the book stays with me. Yes, very sinister, but that was a sinister time, wasn't it? His range of writing was what really impresses. Someone who can write such a delightful story as Monsignor Quixote, and Brighton Rock is clearly a man with a unique talent!

[@simplewelshman]

The Ministry of Fear is also a great read.

[@writerlywitterings]

I haven't got that (yet) - but I will, I will! Thanks, Mark.

[@jonsmith20766]

I watched the whole of this video but didn't take in one word because of how uneven the chords on your hoodie were.

[@writerlywitterings]

I promise I won't wear a hoodie again!

[@whawkins8636]

This guy is a clown

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks!