Reviews

The Quiet American by Graham Greene

christinahill's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

talbet's review against another edition

mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.75

aec58's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

corlaine's review against another edition

4.0

A tantalizing tale.

carolette111's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

alanffm's review against another edition

5.0

An exceptionally important and well-written novel about postcolonialism in Vietnam.

funreader's review against another edition

3.5

Written in 1955, an intriguing book and Graham Greene's debut as an author. Not exactly the spy versus spy excitement, but an interesting story.  Definitely a romantic angle. 

maleahschrader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

eusayart's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Beautiful and stark writing, dark story about Vietnam conflicts🇻🇳.  Painful to read, but valuable insight.

maria_sevlievska's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Reread this on a whim and liked it even better this time. 

IMO, the novel is best read as an allegory and critique of the Indochina war. Two men, one British and one American, vie for the affection of a Vietnamese woman, largely disregarding her desires and emotions. "A melancholy story about the struggle between idealism and a cynically tinged realism."

Short, punchy and skilfully written.