The Quiet American
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Into the intrigue and violence of Indo-China comes Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy through a mysterious ‘Third Force’. As his naive optimism starts to cause slaughter, his friend Fowler finds it hard to stand and watch.
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It appears to me that Mr. Greene repeats his Theme of The Use And Abuse Of Power in every one of his books. One could easily go so far as to say that he has been writing the same book for the past 30 years. The main protagonist in his book is an Opium Addicted Serial Monogamist named Fowler who has become jaded by his involvement in the Vietnam War and seeks support in the Arms Of Morpheus or his Vietnamese girlfriend Phuong. Then he meets an idealistic young man named Pyle who decides he can make a difference to what is happening in their world. The rest of the book explores their relationship with each additional and it comes as no surprise to the reader that Pyle falls in like with Phuong with the promise that he can give her a better life.I had to read this book in my Final Year at High School and I am really bewildered by the fact that it is considered to be a so called “Modern Classic Of Literature.The jaded antics of an opium junkie holds no atraction for me to read .
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
This is my first ever book by Greene. I did not care for his writing style — very dry, and he did not make the characters come alive for me.
It is hard to read literature lacking having current events impact on what you’re reading. For me, this has been especially right post-9/11. This book was filled with anti-American sentiment, which really bothered me.
I only read this book because I wanted to see the movie with Brendan Fraser. Of the actors effective today, Fraser is my second-favorite actor after Tom Hanks (way, way second, because Mr. Hanks is of course far superior), but second-favorite nonetheless. The movie was really in some ways better than the book, except Caine was too ancient for the role, and Fraser was also miscast, IMO.
But back to Greene. Despite my very lukewarm response to this book, I will still read one additional novel by him. I never give up on anyone who is considered a major novelist lacking at least reading two books by him or her.
Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
Call it what you want — “prophetic” even — The Silent American is still terrible. If we were to judge novels by how well they tell to the facts, we might as well read newspapers. Which makes me marvel why Greene didn’t just simply write this as non-fiction — as a replacement for of the disingenuous route he chose — a trite tale involving such simple, stick-like characters who are obvious stand-ins for their respective nations. Rather insulting. Besides, Greene’s voice is dusty and worn out; I can’t imagine what anyone sees in his style.
Reader’s Rating: 1 / 5
I know I’m supposed to revere this book, but for me a careful reading was insufficient to reveal its merits.
“The Silent American” is not perceptive enough to be a political novel, not intimate enough to be a romance novel, and not arranged well enough to be a thriller. Heck, Greene (at least here) isn’t even enough of a wordsmith to convincingly evoke l’Indochine in the 50’s, so it’s not even much of a travel book. I establish myself doing much of the work in that regard.
Obviously, the characters as “representative” of their nation’s philosophies (the Brit as cynic, the American as idealist, etc.) is well-taken, though I thought the contrivance was heavy-handed and unproductive.
Another thing that, I reflect, had this book rolling on a flat tire was Greene’s “in medias res” beginning, in which he reveals Pyle’s death, etc. Although this intially seemed competent, in retrospect it robbed the rest of the tale of whatever interest or suspense it would otherwise have had.
Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
I establish this book utterly dull. I realize that this judgement is entirely subjective but take it at face value. There just doesn’t seem to be a whole lot here. The best line in the book–one that the liberal media should take to heart–”I preferred the title of reporter. I wrote what I saw. I took no action–even an opinion is a kind of result.”
Reader’s Rating: 3 / 5