The End of the Affair was a random audiobook buy. I had credits to spare and saw Colin Firth’s name as narrator and clicked purchase without thinking. Because Colin Firth. Obviously. Mr. Darcy aside, Graham Greene is one of those author’s I’ve been meaning to read but just haven’t found the time until Colin Firth pushed him in my direction.
Greene’s novel is about the end of an affair. How’s that for a summary? Maurice Bendricks is a bitter ex-lover to a woman named Sarah. Their affair took place during WWII until it abruptly ended after a particularly deadly air raid in London. Sarah ends their relationship and Maurice is left with what he describes as ‘hate’ rather than love. God, faith, and Catholicism now enter the picture.
Honestly, I should have read this one in print. Not because Colin wasn’t great – he was terrific and had such nuanced character changes in his voice that amazed me – but because Graham’s writing really deserves to be read. Each and every word seems so precisely chosen and his turns of phrase are so powerful. I can’t wait to reread this one day.
The story itself is rather hit and miss with me. Bendricks is hardly a lovable character and the religious undertones of the novel are not of any particular interest to me. However, the actual unraveling of the love affair between Bendricks and Sarah feels very visceral and poignant. And in contrast, his growing friendship and connection with cuckolded husband, Henry, is endearing. The humanity of this short novel is what truly wins me over.
Going back to the Catholicism, while I’m not particularly religious, I did appreciate that Bendricks’s final relationship with God is strained, troubled, and filled with questions you’re not sure will ever be answered. I like that he’s not just some enchanted new believer and still struggles in spite of, perhaps because of, his new beliefs.
Oddly, I can’t say I would recommend this story to most readers. To Graham Greene fans, yes. To those who just want to listen to Colin Firth’s yummy voice, yes. Or to those readers who will read anything as long as the writing is beyond gorgeous.
Have you read anything by Graham Greene? Does his overt Catholicism bother or enhance your reading?
The Blog of Litwits 
Rut roh. I bought this one for the same reason. Colin Firth. I had the same problem, but I didn’t soldier through. I’m thinking I may try to read it at some point though.
I think it might work a lot better in print despite Colin’s lovely voice.
I’m fairly certain this is the only Greene I’ve read. I read it just a bit before I started to blog…I was on a personal mission to read more classics and this one certainly fit the bill. Yummy to Colin Firth narrating 😉 But, I read it in print and I think I’m glad about that.
I’m not sure why I had never read Graham until now – I think people had just always steered me away. Not sure why – his writing is gorgeous.
There’s something about Graham Greene’s writing that I find so easy to read and pleasant to consume. I loved this one, though I remember very little now. I need to re-read this one, for sure. I also loved his short story, “The Destructors” which played a major role in my fave movie, Donnie Darko.
I love Donnie Darko too, but haven’t read that short story – a shame! Need to get on that and rewatch the movie.
MMMMMM, love me some Colin Firth. Wish he was in the movie, although Ralph Fiennes is always a joy to watch too…
I need to watch the movie – I love me some Ralph Fiennes! Really, all of the British men are yummy.
I’ve recently started listening to audiobooks and am worried about whether I’ll truly experience the author’s writing in the same way. I think I agree with the sentiment you expressed here – really good writing deserves to be read.
Plot driven novels tend to do really well on audio – especially YA. Classic literature and really lyrical prose need to be read first, listened to perhaps upon reread!