Graham Greene’s masterful novel of love and betrayal in World War II London is “undeniably a major work of art” (The New Yorker). Maurice Bendrix, a writer in Clapham during the Blitz, develops an acquaintance with Sarah Miles, the bored, beautiful wife of a dull civil servant named Henry. Maurice claims it’s to divine a character for his novel-in-progress. That’s the first deception. What he … the first deception. What he really wants is Sarah, and what Sarah needs is a man with passion. So begins a series of reckless trysts doomed by Maurice’s increasing romantic demands and Sarah’s tortured sense of guilt. Then, after Maurice miraculously survives a bombing, Sarah ends the affair–quickly, absolutely, and without explanation. It’s only when Maurice crosses paths with Sarah’s husband that he discovers the fallout of their duplicity–and it’s more unexpected than Maurice, Henry, or Sarah herself could have imagined.
Adapted for film in both 1956 and 1999, Greene’s novel of all that inspires love–and all that poisons it–is “singularly moving and beautiful” (Evelyn Waugh).
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This book is a classic. The theme is jealousy in all its different forms. It takes place in London during the war. A man is bitter. His married mistress has left him and he does not know why. He scorns the “milk toast” she is married to. He seethes hatred but mourns his loss of her. She has made a promise and keeps it even though it means giving up her love. There is an inevitability in the ending of this book.
One of the great writers.
An introspective from two points of view into self-destructive, fragile loves and lives. The stream of consciousness is tiresome, the plotline rather depressing, even more so with the bombing of London going on. Greene may have been a masterful author but this is less than entertaining and more like an uncomfortable blister. Sorry, not a fan and I usually love Brit Lit.
It was slow and I had a hard time finishing it.
I loved/hated The End of the Affair by Graham Greene! Greene was skilled writer, wholly in tune with his subjects, wholly committed to the stories, even if they didn’t all have a happy ending! His insight into the human psyche & his ability to write the exact way most humans feel and/or act when they are stretched to their limits & beyond!!! Greene’s writing to me always feels like he’s writing about something he has experienced or someone close to him has experienced. It feels real, not like fiction! He was truly a great writer!
So-so
I did not like it…I don’t admire these kind of people.
A beautiful and painful story. You just want to cry.