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The Life of the Author: Graham Greene
Andrew James (Author)
9781119715306, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 2 October 2025
128 pages
22.6 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.227 kg
Exploring the creative mind of Graham Greene, a metafictional study of a literary icon Graham Greene's novels offer more than gripping narratives—they are a window into the author's creative obsessions. The Life of the Author: Graham Greene presents a groundbreaking study that unveils the intimate connection between Greene's life and work, using metafictional analysis to reveal the evolution of his views on authorship and storytelling. Moving beyond conventional critical interpretations, literary scholar Andrew James invites readers to discover how Greene saw himself within his fiction and how his self-perception shaped his literary masterpieces. Written with both depth and accessibility, this illuminating book delves into Greene's disciplined creative process, his struggles with self-doubt, and his playful yet profound engagement with the craft of writing. Organized thematically, The Life of the Author focuses on Greene's post-1940 works, where his identity as a writer solidified, making his novels rich with autobiographical undertones. Throughout the text, James offers new insights into Greene's novels while connecting recurring themes to his personal and creative growth. An innovative exploration of one of the twentieth century's most enigmatic authors, The Life of the Author: Graham Greene: Enriching appreciation for Greene's artistry while exploring metafictional approaches in literary biography, The Life of the Author: Graham Greene is ideal for university courses in 20th-century British literature, biography, and literary theory, particularly at introductory and intermediate levels. Scholars, students, and avid readers of Greene will find it an invaluable resource for understanding the interplay between an author's life and their creative output.
Acknowledgements vii 1 Graham Greene, Writer and Man 1 The Writer 1 The Man 3 2 A Review of Critical Literature 9 Pre-Sherry 9 Sherry 14 Post-Sherry 15 Research Hazards 18 3 Metafiction 21 Understanding Metafiction 21 Stamboul Train and Identity Questions 24 Sortes Virgilianae 28 Brighton Rock (1938) 31 4 Women, Writing, and Reading Patterns 35 The Power and the Glory (1940) 36 The Heart of the Matter (1948) 39 The End of the Affair (1951) 45 5 Authenticity 51 The Quiet American (1955) 52 Our Man in Havana (1958) 55 A Burnt-Out Case (1960) 57 6 Fakes and Scoundrels 63 The Comedians (1966) 64 Travels with My Aunt (1969) 68 The Honorary Consul (1973) 71 7 With Literature as Our Guide 79 The Human Factor (1978) 80 Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party (1980) 84 Monsignor Quixote (1982) 87 8 Summing Up 91 The Captain and the Enemy (1988) 91 Final Thoughts 94 References 99 Endnotes 103 Index 109
Subject Areas: Biography: general [BG]
