2013 Audie Award Winner, Audiobook of the Year Graham Greene's evocative analysis of the love of self, the love of another, and the love of God is an English classic that has been translated for the stage, the screen, and even the opera house. Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth ( The King's Speech , A Single Man ) turns in an authentic and stirring performance for this distinguished audio release. The End of the Affair , set in London during and just after World War II, is the story of a flourishing love affair ...
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2013 Audie Award Winner, Audiobook of the Year Graham Greene's evocative analysis of the love of self, the love of another, and the love of God is an English classic that has been translated for the stage, the screen, and even the opera house. Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth ( The King's Speech , A Single Man ) turns in an authentic and stirring performance for this distinguished audio release. The End of the Affair , set in London during and just after World War II, is the story of a flourishing love affair between Maurice Bendrix and Sarah Miles. After a violent episode at Maurice's apartment, Sarah suddenly and without explanation breaks off the affair. This very intimate story about what actually constitutes love is enhanced by Mr. Firth's narration, who said "this book struck me very, very particularly at the time when I read it and I thought my familiarity with it would give the journey a personal slant." "I'm grateful for this honor," Firth said when this production was recognized by the Audie Awards as Audiobook of the Year for 2013, "and grateful for the opportunity to narrate one of my favorite stories. A great novel told in the first person makes for the best script an actor could imagine. None better than The End of the Affair .... Theater and film each offer their own challenges and rewards, but narration is a new practice for me and the audiobook performance provides exhilarating possibilities for both actors and listeners. I'm thrilled to be involved in bringing this remarkable work of fiction to a wider audience, and thankful to Audible for offering me the opportunity to perform it and to engage with so many who share my passion for storytelling."
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Add this copy of The End of the Affair to cart. $19.45, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2014 by Brilliance Audio.
Greene is a skillful writer. All of his books are dealing with the human situation, yet they never become boring. The particular book, utilizes the noir and adventurous style of previous books such as " A gun for sale", "Stamboul train" and "Brighton Rock" as well as the religious pathos of "The power and the glory", this time in order to enhance a love story. The religious issue, that marked this book as one of his catholic novels, is in fact a brilliant way to explore, once more, the human condition and faith of all sorts. The first person narration, by Bendrix, a writer , is so vivid that the reader often wonders if this is a true story disguised as a novel. The book ends magnificently, leaving the impression that there are two endings, a few pages apart. The book, regained in sales after a movie based on it, was filmed in 1999. Unfortunately, eventhough the script follows the main plot of the book and is solid as a movie, it fails to capture the deeper meanings.
Not only one of Greene's greatest novels, but one of the best of the last century.
AnnLeslie
Aug 5, 2009
Beautifully sad and sweet
This is very good. The quality of the writing is excellent, the story interesting and the character of Sarah well developed. Somehow I felt like I knew her intimately by the end of the novel, but not the men, not really. I did care about all three people caught up in the unique sort of friendly but sad love triangle. I myself would have loved poor Henry, he seemed so sweet and lovable. Maurice, the lover of Sarah just wasn't my type. He seemed so angry and selfish and jealous that it was hard to like him. I identified with poor doomed Sarah quite alot, but I suspect most anyone would on some level-she was so very human. A beautiful book I might actually read again
mrbillcoach
Jun 4, 2009
Surprising
Graham Greene is truly a great author, in my opinion. He clearly stands in the male position, yet speaks only for himself. Those who agree or disagree are left to do so in light of Greene's affirmations. He probably was not as clear with himself as he was with his characters, which allows the reader to identify with him even more.
I enjoy his perspective and suspect others will as well. But not all others.
Renee
May 9, 2007
?Man has places in his heart which do not yet exist, and into them enters suffering in order that they may have existence.? ~ Leon Bloy
So begins The End of the Affair, Graham Greene?s masterpiece of literature; on a note of deep suffering. Maurice Bendrix is an emotionally and spiritually ruined man looking for an answer to why Sarah, his married lover, left him, and who she left him for. When he steals her diary to find out, he discovers that she left him to keep a promise to a God she didn?t believe in. His confusion mounts as he races against time to try and take her back again.
This is a beautiful story told against the backdrop of World War II. It focuses on two loves; the sensual love between a man and a woman, and the higher love between a person and God. Greene shows how the second love, when discovered, does not annihilate the first, but deepens and perfects it.
I would highly recommend this book for mature readers; late high school and up.