THE BASEMENT ROOM, Graham Greene

In "The Basement Room" by Graham Greene, young Philip finds himself alone in a large Belgravia house with only the butler, Baines, and his strict wife. With his parents away, Philip explores the house, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. He discovers Baines' ......
won't tell more here.

[@user-wc6rm3gf3l]

The genius of Greene, perfectly read. Thank you so much.x

[@williamgorden6390]

What wouldn't I give to write like this? The film Fallen Idol expands on this story brilliantly. Greene could be like dynamite.

[@bobmcgahey1280]

CHANGES THE ENDING THOUGH

[@lsb9073]

Is that the one where Philip says "Home Banes and don't spare the horses"?

[@williamgorden6390]

@@lsb9073 I'm reasonably certain that line is not in the script. 🤗

[@glendabarton1914]

Another favorite British author!

[@daviddean6032]

In the film Fallen Idol, Bobby Henrey plays the boy and it was made in 1948. My favorite movie. He wrote a book about his childhood fame.

[@eshaibraheem4218]

He was brilliant in that marvellous film, as was Ralph Richardson. I never saw the boy again, sadly.

[@minzygreen1167]

​@eshaibraheem4218 great movie. loved those old British movies.

[@TheGeetha1950]

Want to watch!

[@Grace.allovertheplace]

Thank you 🙏

[@michaeldean1445]

What a great story! Thanks much for the post!

[@ohsweetmystery]

"The Fallen Idol" is the movie version.

[@janethayes5941]

Egads!!! What a story!

[@helendynes2891]

Great writer... thank you 😊

[@bobmcgahey1280]

FALLEN IDOL IS A GREAT FILM BUT CHANGES THE ENDING

[@elizabethstewart12]

Well written, well read. Merci!

[@NannyOggins]

A brilliantly observed piece of human interaction. The best story Ive heard this month. What a pity it was read by AI, so much more emotion could have been injected into the dialogue by a human. However, Im glad to have the chance to hear another GG story so thank you for sharing it.

[@maargenbx1454]

I listen to ‘Selected Shorts’, a program where well known actors read classic and award winning short stories. Some of the actors (like Benedict Cumberbatch) read the stories in an understated way, but too many of them perform the story. They make the reading about the acting and their performance, inserting themselves between the reader and the author. These readings are so annoying. The stories are first class, many have stood the test of time, they don’t need any help from actors. If it weren’t for the sheer number of stories posted to the site I doubt many people would have known this was AI.

[@Babyboffa2018]

I don't think it is

[@emilyduffy1410]

This isn't read by AI.

[@alisonaustin7299]

@@emilyduffy1410 yes it is

[@rl3293]

Whoa

[@wendybryan6071]

There must be something about me. This doesn't sound like AI.

[@MovieJustin]

40 what under him?? 😂

[@bigevona4379]

Does this have an ending

[@islandgirl581]

I either missed something or I'm being thick... I don't understand the ending x?x

[@bobmcgahey1280]

HE DIES AT THE END UNLIKE THE EXCELLENT FILM ADAPTATION

[@feralbluee]

@@bobmcgahey1280. so glad i stopped at 12:09. i can’t read such depressing stories - no matter who died, although i can only think the worst. although, it is written in the first person narrative. have a good day :) 🙂🌷🌱

[@zoobyshoe694]

Baines ends up in deep trouble because the kid refuses to cover for him. But the kid doesn't fully appreciate the trouble he's caused Baines til 60 years later when he's an old man.

[@denisthemenace.]

Only 40 blacks?

[@ritamartin4782]

the beg inning of the story embelishes and embrasses racism, the n word was gleefully thrown around. disgraceful.

[@bobmcgahey1280]

THE CONDEMNATION OF THE WORD BESIDE BEING SANCTIMONIOUS MISSES AN IMPORTANT POINT-- HEIS PRESENTING HIMSELF AS A COLONIALIST !!!!

[@Earnshawfully]

No need to keep yelling in caps lock.

[@lauriebradley8295]

Well, it is the forgiveness for the era I consider……..🙏🏻

[@bonniehaymaker4700]

Very offensive reference to black people!

[@federicoprice2687]

That was back then! Now is now. Tomorrow's people will judge us differently.

[@albertupardsnipec5988]

Have you ever heard rap ?

[@glendabarton1914]

Of course it's very offensive. He's reflecting the racism of the times and the place. As did Mark Twain and numerous other authors. At least we know it's offensive now. Back in the day, white people didn't know that.

[@ohsweetmystery]

No one rational cares.

[@doreekaplan2589]

Only if you choose to take offense.