This book completely failed to engage me; all the characters were either boring or unpleasant or both and all the Catholic Guilt sutff just drove me nuts.
Yes, the same here. I liked Ida but everything else felt just so out of touch with anything. I'm really not sure whether Greene meant the reader to empathise with any of the characters (in which case it was a total failure for me) or whether he just wanted to portray the contrast between Pinky's guilt and Ida's righteousness. I have no idea. And I really don't care.
I read Our Man in Havana and thought it was great fun - and quite emotionally powerful towards the end when everything is going pear-shaped. I picked up Brighton Rock in response to that. Since then I inherited six Greene novels and I don't know whether they'll be more like Havana or Brighton!
Thanks. I have had a peek - interesting mix. OMiH is the funniest of the lot but Comedians is full of twists you might enjoy, too. If the Catholic discussion is not your thing, beware of the Honorary Consul. The Heart of the Matter and Confidential Agent are probably quite similar in effect to Brighton Rock - but the Confidential Agent is probably just a little more interesting.
That's my prediction... Will be interested to see if you agree. :)
Long ago indeed. I take it it is just the setting that reminds you of Brighton, not the plot (hunt for sociopath). ;) Do you have any plans to visit again?
Haha... Of course, only the setting. No sociopaths that I know of.
No concrete plans, only the vague feeling that I should go there again someday to see what has changed - for example the West Pier was still there in the nineties.
Saying, that do you like any others of Greene's books?
That's my prediction... Will be interested to see if you agree. :)
No concrete plans, only the vague feeling that I should go there again someday to see what has changed - for example the West Pier was still there in the nineties.