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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't help feeling that I've read this book at the wrong time, that if I'd read it at another, I would be more profoundly affected by its words. Whilst I was reading it I knew that it was beautifully written and the characters did convince me, but I just couldn't draw any emotional connection from it. I was reading more for the sake of reading, I think. Nevertheless it is wonderfully done and I think I might give it another go in a couple of years.
Super British and super bleak, but also the best kind of tragic romance--smoldering and smart. Colin Firth should obviously narrate all audiobooks.
Not my jam. I just greatly disliked both Sarah and Bendrix. It’s always difficult for me to like a book when I don’t like the characters.
A story of hate...
And as we all know, between love and hate, there is a very fine line.
PS I've read this before, I don't know when, but it's one of those things you don't ever really forget.
And as we all know, between love and hate, there is a very fine line.
PS I've read this before, I don't know when, but it's one of those things you don't ever really forget.
I have zero sympathy with adulterers. So why did I give this 4 stars? Because it was beautifully written and narrated by Colin Firth (which: who boy, a swoon a minute. They wisely left in all of his sighs and pauses and sharp intakes of breath. I am here for it.).
I read/listened to this as part of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge Task #16: An Audiobook
I read/listened to this as part of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge Task #16: An Audiobook
No, I have never nor never plan to have an affair. This book is not about love, really, but God and doubt and belief and envy. But mostly about humanity and what it means to be a saint -- it's not who you think.
This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I have read this novel and it is more beautiful to me every time I have read it. I first read this novel as an undergrad, while I was dating my second boyfriend and had only vague notions of what true love was (I experienced a bit of puppy love twice at that point, but I was rather young and immature and quite frankly, didn't know what a strong, healthy relationship looked like). I nonetheless was blown away by the intensely raw emotions that love brought within this novel upon my initial reading of it.
One of my favorite lines is the actual opener of the novel, "A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead." This is a profound quote for me for we can get caught up in the past like Maurice does and have a difficult time seeing our future ahead of us. A quote that many can find deep meaning in I believe.
Needless to say, this is one of those copies of novels I have on my shelf that is underlined throughout. There are many thematic elements within this novel that touch upon different things: coincidences, faith healing, religion, love, jealousy, hate, etc. I also liked the unconventional way the story ends..especially atypical for the 1940's. Such a beautifully gifted author and novel. One I will continue to recommend and share with others for decades to come.
One of my favorite lines is the actual opener of the novel, "A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead." This is a profound quote for me for we can get caught up in the past like Maurice does and have a difficult time seeing our future ahead of us. A quote that many can find deep meaning in I believe.
Needless to say, this is one of those copies of novels I have on my shelf that is underlined throughout. There are many thematic elements within this novel that touch upon different things: coincidences, faith healing, religion, love, jealousy, hate, etc. I also liked the unconventional way the story ends..especially atypical for the 1940's. Such a beautifully gifted author and novel. One I will continue to recommend and share with others for decades to come.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“‘I suppose - in a way - we’d got to the end of love. There was nothing else we could do together. She could shop and cook and fall asleep with you, but she could only make love with me’”
I think Maurice Bendrix has become one of my least liked characters in all of literature. Don’t get me wrong, Graham Greene’s ‘The End of the Affair’ is filled with beautiful language. Like Mr. Greene knows how to write a sentence. But omg if Maurice Bendrix wasn’t such an annoying and horrible person! He cheats, he lies, he stalks, he’s an extremely jealous person, he’s arrogant. Even to the last page, as he’s cursing God (which is very ironic, ifykyk), he’s still so arrogant. Which is exactly why I believe you should read this book. Sometimes good books have very annoying and flawed characters.
‘The End of the Affair’ takes place during the London Blitz of World War II. Maurice has an affair with Henry Miles’ wife, Sarah. Sarah has a complicated relationship with religion and men, and this affects her relationship with them. Maurice then stoops to stalking and stealing extremely personal things to have Sarah become his. Very possessive person. This is my first Greene book! Enjoy!
I originally picked this audiobook for the narrator (Mr. Colin Firth) and ended up enjoying the novel. I've known of Greene's work but never read any because I figured it was too literary for my taste. I'm glad I read this one. Although sad it was deeply moving and a decidedly different look at faith and religion as well as love and hate. I felt for Bendrix, his pain both in losing his lover and his conflicting feelings about God and love. Greene's writing is beautiful, even haunting? Firth was a perfect choice for this narration, he put all the right emotion into not only Bendrix's love and hatred, but Henry's distance and Sarah's confusion and pain. This was a good departure from my usual happy ending reads that I devour.