- Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Penguin UK; 44th edition (Dec 1 1998)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0140278753
- ISBN-13: 978-0140278750
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 159 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"A superb storyteller with a gift for provoking controversy."
—New York Times
“Greene had the sharpest eyes for trouble, the finest nose for human weaknesses, and was pitilessly honest in his observations . . . For experience of a whole century he was the man within.”
—Norman Sherry, Independent --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
—New York Times
“Greene had the sharpest eyes for trouble, the finest nose for human weaknesses, and was pitilessly honest in his observations . . . For experience of a whole century he was the man within.”
—Norman Sherry, Independent --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
In this modern classic about a good man’s conflict between passion and faith, a scrupulously honest police officer in British West Africa becomes enmeshed in intrigue and evil when he falls for a woman other than his wife.
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hell and God in a novel by a master storyteller,
By Alysson Oliveira "Alysson Oliveira" (Sao Paulo-- Brazil) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Great Books Of The 20th Century Heart Of The Matter (Paperback)
Just like in Graham Greene's 'The End of the Affair' --and in many of his books-- God plays a crucial role in his 'The Heart of the Matter'. It is because of Him that the novel's protagonist Scobie ends up taking drastic --and tragic-- decisions.'Heart' is set in a West African state, where a British man called Scobie lives with his wife and some other foreigner, while the War is consuming the world. He is a police officer who is very honest, competent and has no ambitions in his career --to his wife's disappointment. Louise Scobie, the wife, gets shocked when she learns that he was passed over for promotion. She feels that the most important people in local society --i.e. the English ones-- don't like them, and she spends most of time trying to be their close friend. When she's tired of that place she decides to move to South African, leaving her husband alone. But for her travel, he is forced to borrow money from a Syrian criminal, who likes Scobie because he is incorruptible. Or so he thought. Not long after his wife leaves, Scobie meets the young, beautiful and widower Helen. He falls in love with her, and that's when his downward spiral begins. He is tangled in a web of lies and has to deceive and betray his wife, friends and department. But, what makes matter worse is that he is a very religious man, and to God's eyes he is committing a huge sin, and this is what most consumes Scobie. At a certain point, discussing with friends the idea of hell, Scobie states that he doesn't believe that hell is a place full of flames, but the sense of loss. And this shows how Scobie is sent to hell --in life! -- when starts losing everything --even his dignity. The devotion to God -- or so believes Scobie-- has a main role in this point of his life, and he is a torn man, fighting against what he wants, because he thinks it is wrong. Greene is a master storyteller, and is able to create very believable characters and situations. He once stated that he believed Scobie to be a little far fetched, but even if it is true, the character serves well to a specific purpose. The language is very elaborated without being difficult or boring, it only enhances the reading of such a great novel.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greene's best work.,
By
This review is from: Great Books Of The 20th Century Heart Of The Matter (Paperback)
This is my favorite Greene work, and his masterly skill of creating realistic characters is truly on display. This is the story of Scobie, a quite man with few aspirations, and his inner battle with religion and love. Scobie's struggle is real and powerful, and Mr. Greene captures every moment with clarity and style. I highly recommend this marvelous book to any reader.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The heart of a man tortured by his own conscience,
By
This review is from: Great Books Of The 20th Century Heart Of The Matter (Paperback)
This novel is set someplace in Western Africa in the early 1940s. Scobie is an English policeman and has been in the country for 15 years. He's married to Louise and their marriage is fading, their only child having died a few years before. The weather is hot and clammy, there is always a rat scampering around their house, they have to sleep under mosquito netting, and he has occasional bouts of malaria. As the story opens, he has just been overlooked for a promotion. But he really doesn't care. He still loves the place.World War 2 is going on and one of his jobs is to check the incoming and outgoing ships for contraband. And there are always hard choices to make regarding right and wrong. There's his wife's desire to leave the country, an unscrupulous merchant and a young attractive widow. And, when he makes several foolish choices and his life spins out of control, he's troubled on a deep religious level. He's a Catholic and seriously believes in the teachings of the church. This book transported me to a time and place that has always fascinated me. Once there, it brought me into the heart of the man. He is tortured by his own conscience. And I was able to understand it all. There's very little action in the book; it's all about his inner turmoil. I couldn't stop reading though, right down to the inevitable sad conclusion. The book is a bit of a masterpiece. I highly recommend it.
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