Becca's review
The Quiet American
by Graham Greene
Becca's review
The Quiet American by Graham Greene
Becca's review
rating:
Frighteningly prophetic, this brief but biting novel chronicles the life of an aging British journalist in French-ruled Vietnam in the 1950s. Selfish, hedonistic and jaded, Thomas Fowler is in self-imposed exile from his native England. While the French slowly lose their colonial grip on the feuding nation and foreign nationals begin to map out their vision for a new Vietnam, Fowler is content to sit back and smoke opium with his young native lover, priding himself on not taking sides.
It is only when a young American enters his circle, that Fowler's world is rattled. The American is Pyle, and on the surface he is the polar opposite of Fowler. Honorable, idealistic, naive, Pyle immediately takes a liking to our protaganist. This friendship is soon cut short when Pyle takes an interest in Fowler's mistress Phung. While Fowler was initially amused by the American's naivite, he is soon so enraged that he begins to reexamine Pyle's intentions.
Neither a straight political work nor a...more
It is only when a young American enters his circle, that Fowler's world is rattled. The American is Pyle, and on the surface he is the polar opposite of Fowler. Honorable, idealistic, naive, Pyle immediately takes a liking to our protaganist. This friendship is soon cut short when Pyle takes an interest in Fowler's mistress Phung. While Fowler was initially amused by the American's naivite, he is soon so enraged that he begins to reexamine Pyle's intentions.
Neither a straight political work nor a...more
