The Heart of the Matter (Library Binding)

'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.

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.