The End of the Affair

By: Graham Greene

Narrated by: Colin Firth

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

Audie Award Winner, Audiobook of the Year, 2013

Audie Award Nominee, Best Solo Narration, 2013

Academy Award-winning actor Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) won the Audie for Audiobook of the Year in 2013—for his first audio performance, The End of the Affair. The love affair at the center of this 1951 classic novel takes place in the bomb-strewn last days of World War II, and just after. Bendrix, a writer in war-torn London, has fallen in love with Sarah, the wife of an acquaintance. Though unhappily married, Sarah won’t leave her husband; she ends their affair and abruptly vanishes, reducing Bendrix's inner life to rubble. His investigation of Sarah’s disappearance reveals the role her newly-awakened Catholic faith played in her decision to leave, and other startling truths.

The End of the Affair mirrors Greene’s own relationship with a married woman, and positions religion as a pivotal element in both the inner turmoil and outer destruction occurring in his life at the time. Firth brilliantly conveys Greene’s characteristically bleak emotional terrain in an intimate, nuanced, and unhurried performance.

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©1951 Graham Greene (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Superb Narration

Obviously, the performance is superb. The story is dark but not unenjoyable. It offered a lot of food for thought and I would find myself contemplating while listening. I think this is one of those books you need to listen to - a bucket list book, if you will.

We Need More Novels Narrated by Colin Firth!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The End of the Affair?

There were many. And many have spoilers. But I'd say rather than "moments" standing out, it was the relationships between the characters that really stood out to me. Greene does a fantastic job of showing who people are and exploring the complexity of human emotion in the spaces and connections between his characters. So from those... there is something really sweet that develops between the somewhat awkward relationship that develops between Bendix and the private investigator.

What about Colin Firth’s performance did you like?

Some audiobooks are just read so well I couldn't imagine any other person reading the novel, or even liking the novel as well if I read it on paper. This is one of those. Firth is nothing short of amazing. I laughed, I wept like a baby, the story came alive through his narration. And, his sexy English accent is like icing on that cake.

Any additional comments?

Stop what you are doing and buy this audiobook right now. It won audiobook of the year in 2013 for a very good reason.

Great narration, didn't love the story

Would you try another book from Graham Greene and/or Colin Firth?

I would definitely listen to another book by Colin Firth. His voice is like butter and draws you in.

Any additional comments?

This is a love story that takes place during the aftermath of WWII. I didn't hate it, but the main redeeming quality was Colin Firth's voice. The rest of it would have dragged with any other narrator.

Amazing

Would you consider the audio edition of The End of the Affair to be better than the print version?

Two words: Colin. Firth.

What did you like best about this story?

How ordinary it was. It's a storyline that I know many people have lived through.

What does Colin Firth bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Colin Firth brings an emotional depth to the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not one particular moment, no. From start to finish it was magnificent to listen to.

Colin Firth enhances story

Colin Firth could read the yellow pages to me and they would be riveting. The narrator aside, the story is interesting as it explores the relationships between friends, lovers, and spouses. It is a beautifully told story that develops the depth of the relationships. You feel for each person in the story, and want what is best for each of them, even when what is best for one conflicts with what is best for another.

Ah, the angst

He loves her, he hates her.

She loves him, but she won't be with him. She doesn't believe in g-d, then is all consumed by her belief in g-d.

At a point the angst is overwhelming and you need a break, a break-through or the end of the story!

Kudos to Colin Firth on the narration but it doesn't save a dreary, tedious tale.

Colin Firth was extraordinary!

When I began this book, I had only seen movies by GG. After a few chapters,I wondered if the story was going to be convoluted a d strange. By the time I finished, I felt as though I was living the story with the characters. Beautiful and veto well narrated. Superb!

Superb narration of an engaging story

What did you love best about The End of the Affair?

The narration, and how true the story felt on an emotional level

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bendrix and Henry. One you empathize with, one you feel sorry for.

Which character – as performed by Colin Firth – was your favorite?

All excellent, in my opinion. The strength of the narration isn't in the wildly different characters' voices, but in the proper emotion and sense of character delivered to each

If you could take any character from The End of the Affair out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Bendrix, as I've listened to him rant and mourn for five hours already, and wouldn't mind another few

A Moving Story

I enjoyed the way the author worked around so many moral values in this novel. Thought provoking in terms of right, wrong, love, devotion, God, and humanity. The setting was perfect for this story and the passion was moving. I will probably listen to this again some time to get the full value of the story.

FANTASTIC

This was on several best-of lists, but I was mildly put off by the title (thinking it would be a simple romance)....WRONG!
This book is remarkable is many ways.
It is a great story, with great characters and fantastic story-telling technique.
I read a lot and strive to become immersed in the story, and often do, but not like this.
This novel sucked me in immediately and I felt I was there, in the rooms, walking the pavement, feeling the emotions.
I will certainly reread this book.

After reading the book, I watched all the movies made from it (as I wanted to see how it could be done on film).
The movies are all very good in different ways, each capturing some aspects of the writing, but none come close to the novel.

The narration is virtually perfect.

I highly recommend this novel and consider it a must read.