Reviews

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene

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nichecase's review

3.0

the biggest comparison, to my mind, for this book is killing eve: both are intimate portraits of abnormal psychologies, wrapped around a murder (and a murderer) which entails more killings. iЃEЂЃEd be super surprised if this book hadnЃEЂЃEt been read by someone involved in killing eve - the similarities are all there. itЃEЂЃEs only some of the thematic questions explored that are different.

killing eve is better, of course, but this is still really good.

sledge_hm's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

galaheadh's review against another edition

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this Graham Greene character sure can write - an unpleasant book in many ways (some intentional, some i assume not) but packs a punch and a half

read it on holidays because my accommodation has a whole wall of books and why not try out some famous authors when the opportunity presents itself

jess_mango's review

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3.0

My 2nd Graham Greene book this month! Thanks to the 1001 group here on goodreads, I've read this one and [b:The Power and the Glory|3690|The Power and the Glory|Graham Greene|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388210459l/3690._SY75_.jpg|1036817], both of which were monthly picks for that group. I have to say that while I can appreciate Greene's writing skill, I didn't connect with either book as much as I would've liked. This book centered on Pinkie, a bit of a ruffian, spending time and getting into trouble in Brighton, UK.

danielsmith1's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

reintje69's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? No

3.0

warrenl's review

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5.0

To date I have read exactly half of Graham Greene's novels, encompassing Stamboul Train through Doctor Fischer of Geneva. There is an observable arc as his powers build from the early thrillers, peaking with such great classics as The Power And The Glory, The Heart of the Matter and The Quiet American, then declining through the series of low energy novellas with which John le Carré describes Greene completing his shelf.

In Brighton Rock I discern the stirrings of that great power which brings me back to Greene over and over. It's unquestionably the darkest Greene I have read so far. The dichotomous, tormented Pinkie is a frightening creation. It's a blessing this novel is only 250 or so pages long. Many more would result in too much time spent with Pinkie. Nobody escapes Pinkie's company intact.

Brighton Rock ends with quite possibly the most devastating final sentence of any novel, ever.

yoobik's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars. I like Ida.

madding78's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

literatureboysmelancholy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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