The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
Graham Greene’s 1951 novel, The End of the Affair delivers a powerful narrative that blends elements of mystery, tirade and confession. Set in London during the Blitz, this audacious story revolves around an adulterous love affair and structured with the suspense and intricacy of a well-constructed spy novel. Graham Greene’s insightful prose captures the anxiety and consciousness of his characters with stunning clarity.
Maurice Bendrix is the narrator and a narcissistic one at that. As a writer, researching the life of a civil servant for a new novel, Maurice befriends his civil servant neighbor Henry Miles. This connection soon leads Maurice into an intense passionate four-year affair with Henry’s wife Sarah. Throughout the affair, Maurice never expresses any sense of guilt instead he is consumed by his obsession with Sarah. His narcissistic emotional dependence on her grows and he becomes belligerent and needy, frustrated by her refusal to leave her husband. Sarah, while not in love with Henry and lacking a sexual relationship, explains to Maurice that she remains with her husband because he is a good man. Suddenly after four years, Sarah ends the relationship without explanation, leaving Maurice devastated and filled with hatred.
Without revealing too much more about the plot, the novel takes many unpredictable turns as Maruice believe in the possibility of either retaliation or rekindling of their relationship. Greene’s writing is compelling as he leads readers through the unexpected twists with emotional intensity. By the conclusion, the characters engage in deep reflection about the Catholic faith, a recurring theme in Green’s work.
The book delves into the rawness of human emotion, feelings so powerful that rational thought cannot subdue them. Loyalty is another central theme. To whom do people owe their loyalty: themselves, family, church or country. Greene’s portrayal of the human condition is profound, though not always flattering. He depicts the characters in this love triangle with precision. The novel explores the contrasts between love and loyalty, selfishness and selflessness and the constant struggle between emotion and reasoning. Though 75 years old, The End of the Affair remains a suspenseful exploration of the human condition. 4/5