Questions About The Quiet American

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Answered Questions (3)

Is the character of Pyle in the Quiet American based on General Lansdale?

Max No. Lansdale was first stationed in Viet Nam in 1954. The events in the book took place in 1952. When Greene first met Lansdale he had nearly complete…moreNo. Lansdale was first stationed in Viet Nam in 1954. The events in the book took place in 1952. When Greene first met Lansdale he had nearly completed the book. Also, Greene denied Lansdale was the basis for Alden Pyle. Pyle was based on Leo Hochstetter, public affairs director for America’s Economic Aid Mission. Greene had shared a hotel room with him and they drove back to Saigon together just as Pyle and Fowler do in the book. On the way Hochstetler told Greene of the need for a third force and mentioned General Thế as a good choice. Greene did say that Hochstetter was much savvier than Pyle.(less)

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is the book better than movie?! I've seen the movie and I love it so much, I wonder if the movie has removed many details from the book or not??

Michael Looft I saw the movie when it came out in 2002 and loved it. I read the book for the first time this past summer and watched the movie again. I agree with o…moreI saw the movie when it came out in 2002 and loved it. I read the book for the first time this past summer and watched the movie again. I agree with others that the movie is really great. Though, the Pyle character is actually more believable in the movie than in the book. In the book, he seems a bit too naive and childlike to the point where it stretched my belief on how much power a boy like that would have in a real life situation. The scene in the movie where the square is bombed and Fowler's recollection of Pyle speaking fluent Vietnamese, wiping the blood off his shoe, and directing the camera crew to take pictures of the dead and wounded was so powerful that I wished this were in the book as it really put Pyle's dark side on display. Nevertheless, both the book and the movie stand on their own as amazing and worth every minute.(less)

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Can I read this as an e book on my ipad?