A Burnt-Out Case
by Graham Greene
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 360)
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
this book is one of the greatest novels that I have ever read and immediately made me want to read more by Graham Greene. In the novel, the protagonist (if that's the appropriate term for him), Querry, travels to a leproserie in the heart of Africa to escape from his past and his reputation; in this act, he is constantly portrayed as a self-sacrificial saint by the priests at the leproserie: a reputation that he neither wants nor feels he deserve. A remarkable novel about spirituality, god, and ...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Jon by:
My past life recommends it for: People who are easily disappointed by everyday things for no good reason
A solid 3.8 stars, The tale of a successful catholic architect who gains everything that most people aspire to, only to find that all these things cannot fill the emptiness inside him. So he dumps everything and runs off to the farthest place he can get, french colonial Congo.
I could really relate to the main character, and his feelings of disappointment with everything. I really liked this book, and how it deals with the awkwardness of depression. However, it is a little slow, and I...more
I could really relate to the main character, and his feelings of disappointment with everything. I really liked this book, and how it deals with the awkwardness of depression. However, it is a little slow, and I...more
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Like Greene's other famous novel "The Heart of the Matter", "A Burn-out Case," set against the backdrop of colonial Africa, probes and prods a familiar issue to all Greene readers: faith in its million shapes and colors. Brilliantly plotted with a triumphant ending, the novel is a classic Graham Greene -- that is, the characters are sharply drawn and the writing is spare but elegant and pitch perfect. A delightful (and short)read
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Read in February, 2008
Greeneland comes to the Congo.
As is typical in a Graham Greene novel, a collection of mostly unpleasant people come together in an unlikely place, in this case a Catholic-run leper colony. They -- the mostly unpleasant people, I mean -- talk quite a bit, especially about theology. Well-written, thought-provoking and grim.
As is typical in a Graham Greene novel, a collection of mostly unpleasant people come together in an unlikely place, in this case a Catholic-run leper colony. They -- the mostly unpleasant people, I mean -- talk quite a bit, especially about theology. Well-written, thought-provoking and grim.
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Prior to this book I had only read one Graham Greene novel, which I don't remember well (The Quiet American). This one was a homerun - great characters, and a great ironic ending. I loved it!
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A British architect who realizes that he has lost the ability to love embarks on a trip into deepest Africa looking for an escapte. Excellent, but then I love Graham Greene!
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Read in January, 2004
(written 1-04)
Love Graham Greene, but this one was a little boring. the guy is in the jungle hiding, sort of. Leprosy, etc. Some nice moments but hard to finish.
Love Graham Greene, but this one was a little boring. the guy is in the jungle hiding, sort of. Leprosy, etc. Some nice moments but hard to finish.
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Read in January, 1999
recommends it for:
anyone
famous architect seeks peace and quiet after a long time in the public eye by starting work in a leapour colony, where he hopes to do good, but...
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Read in July, 2008
Greene is a fabulous writer. His writing appears effortless, but is quite thought provoking. Quarry is the essential Greene man.
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Read in December, 2006
I love Graham green's characters... I wish my angst was nearly as sophisticated!
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Please call me if you want to hear what I think about this book.
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