The Quiet American (Critical Library, Viking)
by Graham Greene
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Book Summary Information
Author: Graham GreeneEditor: John Clark Pratt
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1996-01-01
ISBN: 014024350X
Number of pages: 544
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Book Reviews of The Quiet American (Critical Library, Viking)
Book Review: Great Contrast of Characters
Summary: 5 Stars
This novel describes the condescension and naivete held by Americans and Europeans to the ever evolving world of Vietnam in the 1950's.
In an American household of the 21st century, and after having lived a full decade of experiencing the wrath of our war in that terminable part of the world, Americans much better understand what makes and is employed by the people and leaders of that area than the characters of this novel.
Almost entirely written through the perspective of British journalist Thomas Fowler, we learn that his cynical eye and self-declared neutrality of the happenings in Vietnam's nascent hell are untrue. This novel delves most principally on a delicate and obscure relationship between Fowler and Alden Pyle, a Harvard educated young and modest Bostonian who is entering this land as a greenhorn who soberly encounters his "first job" with open eyes in regard to business, social circles as well as women. Fowler is almost the opposite, a has-been journalist whose basic aspiration is to write as little as possible to keep his meal ticket alive, and use as many wakening hours to smoking opium pipes filled and served by indigenous beauties who are half his age.
Fowler, full of vices and bad moral character, at least can perceive his own imperfections well - something that his counterpart cannot. And, this is where the book drifts to places which we do not think it will go.
The inexact temporal procession of this book takes us back in time and forward in time, sometimes by chapter (other times by clumps of chapters), between the defining moments of the novel: Before and after Pyle's death. Fowler is caught up in the investigation of the untimely death (murder) as the two very different men had one love - beautiful and abiding Phuong.
Not until one occasion arises does the ordinarily stupored Fowler awaken. People are dying all around him. But, that is not a problem. He awakens when one day he witnesses innocent women and children sacrificed. Bombs are being left in public places to kill others so as to infuriate the masses about Communists - only the delivery of the bombs is not by Communist plot. Instead, it is the foe of Communism, a wicked general, who sacrifices his own people so as to increase his personal value, make his cause more celebrated, and make him a personal leader in the otherwise fully doomed society which all involved people know will succumb to Communism.
This book is great in contrasting a young well-educated American idealist with a middle-aged street-smart cynical Brit. The dialogue is superb. And, the mystery-like following of Pyle's death is alluring.
Summary of The Quiet American (Critical Library, Viking)
This edition of Graham Greene's prophetic novel about American involvement in the Vietnam War includes the complete text of the work, along with essays by Greene, extensive historical writings, and relevant literary criticism.
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