Exploring the creative mind of Graham Greene, a metafictional study of a literary icon
Graham Greene's novels offer more than gripping narratives—they are a window into the author's creative obsessions. The Life of the Author: Graham Greene presents a groundbreaking study that unveils the intimate connection between Greene's life and work, using metafictional analysis to reveal the evolution of his views on authorship and storytelling. Moving beyond conventional critical interpretations, literary scholar Andrew James invites readers to discover how Greene saw himself within his fiction and how his self-perception shaped his literary masterpieces.
Written with both depth and accessibility, this illuminating book delves into Greene's disciplined creative process, his struggles with self-doubt, and his playful yet profound engagement with the craft of writing. Organized thematically, The Life of the Author focuses on Greene's post-1940 works, where his identity as a writer solidified, making his novels rich with autobiographical undertones. Throughout the text, James offers new insights into Greene's novels while connecting recurring themes to his personal and creative growth.
An innovative exploration of one of the twentieth century's most enigmatic authors, The Life of the Author: Graham Greene:
Examines Greene's novels through the lens of metafiction to offer a fresh perspective on his craft Presents detailed literary analyses that reveal the self-reflective nature of Greene's storytelling Focuses on Greene's authorial identity, tracing his growth as a writer from neutral observer to committed advocate Concentrates on Greene's major novels while avoiding exhaustive academic overviews to promote independent critical discovery Discusses the metafictional significance of Greene's novels and ""entertainments""
Enriching appreciation for Greene's artistry while exploring metafictional approaches in literary biography, The Life of the Author: Graham Greene is ideal for university courses in 20th-century British literature, biography, and literary theory, particularly at introductory and intermediate levels. Scholars, students, and avid readers of Greene will find it an invaluable resource for understanding the interplay between an author's life and their creative output.
By:
Andrew James
Imprint: Blackwell Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 226mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 15mm
Weight: 227g
ISBN: 9781119715306
ISBN 10: 111971530X
Series: The Life of the Author
Pages: 128
Publication Date: 02 October 2025
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………. 3 Chapter 1 – Graham Greene, Writer and Man The Writer ……………………………………………………………....................... 4 The Man ….………..………………………………………………........................... 8 Chapter 2 – A Review of Critical Literature Pre-Sherry ………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Sherry ………………………………………………………………………………. 24 Post-Sherry …………………………………………………………………………. 26 Research Hazards …………………………………………………........................... 31 Chapter 3– Metafiction Understanding Metafiction ………………………………………………………….. 33 Stamboul Train and Identity Questions ……………………………………………... 38 Sortes Virgilianae ……………………………………………………………………. 44 Brighton Rock ……………………………………………………………………….. 50 Chapter 4 – Women, Writing, and Reading Patterns The Power and the Glory …...……………………………………………………….. 56 The Heart of the Matter ….…………………………………………………………... 62 The End of the Affair …………………………………………………………………. 71 Chapter 5 –Authenticity The Quiet American ………………………………………………………………….. 81 Our Man in Havana ………………………………………………………………….. 86 A Burnt-Out Case …………………………………………………………………….. 91 Chapter 6 – Fakes and Scoundrels The Comedians ……………………………………………………………………… 101 Travels with My Aunt ………………………………………………………………... 108 The Honorary Consul …...………………………………………………………….... 113 Chapter 7 – With Literature as Our Guide The Human Factor …...…………………………………………………………......... 124 Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party...………………………………………131 Monsignor Quixote …………………………………………………………………... 136 Chapter 8– Summing Up The Captain and the Enemy ……………………………………………………….… 141 Final Words ………………………………………………………………………….. 146 References …………………………………………………………………………… 154 Endnotes ………………………………………………………………………………134 Index……………………………………………………………………………………
ANDREW JAMES is a Professor of English Literature at Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan. Specializing in biographical approaches to literary study, James is dedicated to enriching the appreciation of literature through innovative research and teaching. He is the author of Kingsley Amis: Antimodels and the Audience.
