Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
[...] Imagine - Catherine, a complete stranger, writes to him saying she’s “converted” based on his books, and asks if he’ll be her godfather. He agrees  . So then they had an affair !! |
And then he thinks: "I'll make up a 'fiction' novel where I will lead people to assume [rightly or wrongly, it doesn't make much difference] the work is significantly autobiographical and thereby shame the other protagonists."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Victoria
Very fair points Bookpossum . Sorry to try your patience  I think in this case, it’s been easier to stray off topic with the parallels with between the two. But you’re absolutely right! |
I should add my apologies too. It is often easier to find ways to criticise a book (because all books have faults to some readers) than it is to explain why a book works for you. It's what makes criticism often seem like a cheap shot, it can be too easy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady
[...] So I was taken aback by the anti-Catholic/anti-religious tone of the novel, the snobbery and lack of respect that dismissed faith as superstition and magic. [...]
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That's sort of what I was thinking at first, but then we see the conversion of Smythe. It seemed that Greene could not even present a convincing anti-Catholic argument. No, the best he could manage was a mostly irrational Rationalist. (Oh dear, what was I just saying about it being easy to criticise?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl
I think it is interesting that each of the book clubs has read 3 very different styles of Greene books. I have read them all and enjoyed them all.
Our Man in Havana was read by the old MR Book Club in 2015. Fictional spy book and somewhat humorous.
Journey Without Maps was read by the Literary Club in 2019. Nonfiction travelogue.
The End of the Affair is dramatic fiction from his Catholic novels. |
I have wondered whether I might have reacted differently to this book had I come to it after reading other material of his less likely to raise my ire. I have trouble imagining that ... but it's possible.