jklugman 's review for:

The Man Within by Graham Greene

2.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Although Greene uses a third-person narrator, he might as well used first-person, as the protagonist, Francis Andrews, is self-aware of his cowardice and uses every opportunity to remind the reader and whoever he is conversing with (usually women with whom he is infatuated) of that fact.  The result is a very claustrophobic novel as I resented being stuck in this character's head.  While using the thriller genre to tell a very psychological-spiritual story of redemption and grace is a fascinating exercise, I think the character has to be less self-aware for it to work.