The End of the Affair - bookrastinating.com

192 pages

English language

Published April 30, 1991

ISBN:: 978-0-14-018495-2
Goodreads:: 1287447

The End of the Affair is a 1951 novel by British author Graham Greene, as well as the title of two feature films (released in 1955 and 1999) that were adapted from the novel. Set in London during and just after the Second World War, the novel examines the obsessions, jealousy and discernments within the relationships between three central characters: writer Maurice Bendrix; Sarah Miles; and her husband, civil servant Henry Miles. Graham Greene's own affair with Catherine Walston formed the basis for The End of the Affair. The British edition of the novel is dedicated to "C" while the American version is made out to "Catherine". Greene's own house at 14 Clapham Common Northside was bombed during the Blitz.The End of the Affair is the fourth and final of Greene's "Catholic novels" tetralogy, following Brighton Rock (1938), The Power and the Glory (1940), and The Heart of the Matter …

The End of the Affair is a 1951 novel by British author Graham Greene, as well as the title of two feature films (released in 1955 and 1999) that were adapted from the novel. Set in London during and just after the Second World War, the novel examines the obsessions, jealousy and discernments within the relationships between three central characters: writer Maurice Bendrix; Sarah Miles; and her husband, civil servant Henry Miles. Graham Greene's own affair with Catherine Walston formed the basis for The End of the Affair. The British edition of the novel is dedicated to "C" while the American version is made out to "Catherine". Greene's own house at 14 Clapham Common Northside was bombed during the Blitz.The End of the Affair is the fourth and final of Greene's "Catholic novels" tetralogy, following Brighton Rock (1938), The Power and the Glory (1940), and The Heart of the Matter (1948).

2 editions

Acton reviewed The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

Review of 'The End of the Affair (Twentieth Century Classics)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This beautiful, powerful short novel is told in first person by Maurice Bendrix, a writer who has had an intense affair with Sarah, the wife of a civil servant. In the beginning, we know that she is the one who has broken off the affair, and Bendrix is filled with a passionate hatred for her and is unable to move on.

I won't expose the entire plot here, but obviously, there is an intriguing reason why Sarah has stopped seeing Bendrix, which he will discover. How Sarah's character is dawn, from the impressions of a few men around her and her mother, is fascinating and mysterious. Sarah is both well known and an enigma.

Bendrix expresses anguish and despair with an urgency that is palpable. The jealousy, suspicion, and spiteful thoughts are put down eloquently, as are his feelings of love for Sarah at other times. These feelings, this affair, …

This beautiful, powerful short novel is told in first person by Maurice Bendrix, a writer who has had an intense affair with Sarah, the wife of a civil servant. In the beginning, we know that she is the one who has broken off the affair, and Bendrix is filled with a passionate hatred for her and is unable to move on.

I won't expose the entire plot here, but obviously, there is an intriguing reason why Sarah has stopped seeing Bendrix, which he will discover. How Sarah's character is dawn, from the impressions of a few men around her and her mother, is fascinating and mysterious. Sarah is both well known and an enigma.

Bendrix expresses anguish and despair with an urgency that is palpable. The jealousy, suspicion, and spiteful thoughts are put down eloquently, as are his feelings of love for Sarah at other times. These feelings, this affair, is miserable and wonderful.

This is a very thought provoking novel, both because of the nature of the affair and the ending.

I would recommend it very highly.