The End of the Affair - Graham Greene

This week, I'm attending a talk by William Cash, author of a book titled The Third Woman, an account of Graham Greene's affair with Catherine Walston, which inspired his novel The End of the Affair, so thought I would read the latter in advance as preparation.

Not surprisingly for a Graham Greene book (at least, the few I've read), there is much sadness. I wish I had started it weeks earlier so that I could have read a little at a time. As it was, I left it late and yesterday had to read 70 or so pages in one day. I don't recommend it. The sadness gets into your bones.

In case you don't know the book, it is set at the start of the 1950s and is about what happens to a writer named Maurice Bendrix and Sarah Miles after the end of their adulterous affair. The story is told in the first person by Bendrix until we get Sarah's side of the story through her diary.

Bendrix is not really a likeable person but although he talks about hate and hating people a lot he is more of a booby than a hateful person: someone who has got himself into a bad spot and is to be pitied rather than disliked. He'd hate that (as well), but that's tough on him.

Sarah is a really intriguing character. She is an adulteress but becomes also something of a Saint. Note the upper case S. She dies during the course of the book and what seems like miracles follow. 

The End of the Affair is a very Catholic novel. Bendrix and Sarah talk to God as much as to each other. Even though they either don't believe in Him or don't want to do so. In terms of character arc, Sarah's story is definitely more interesting as she goes from atheistic lover to someone fighting in search of faith. The possibility of her redemption and miracle working adds a new and rather wonderful layer to her story. Bendrix, by contrast, moans and complains his way through the book. Right at the end, however, he seems to come to belief in God inspire of himself. It is a moment that, while not the same as, reminded me of Lord Marchmain's return to faith in Brideshead Revisited.

All in all, I would absolutely recommend The End of the Affair. Greene is great at getting under the skin of his characters. To be fair, I'm sure he poured a lot of himself into Bendrix but that just gives you a beginning. The book isn't easy-going but it is very rewarding and thought provoking.