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.

The Best Audiobook Of All Time

Expert writing and reading on a pertinent philosophical conversation of love and hate and joy and oblivion.

Could not have been better!

This exquisitely-written book gets the narrator it deserves in Colin Firth. I confess I sometimes stopped the car and listened just to be alone with Colin! But Greene's prose is so compelling on its own that Firth's stellar narration truly puts this book at the head of the class among ALL the dozens (maybe hundreds) of recorded books I have "read". One could not wish for a better listening experience. I may listen to it again for the sheer pleasure of the Greene-Firth combo. It's hard to enumerate the ways this performance and this novel is head and shoulders above the rest.

A sad mismatch.

the story had ups and downs. That said, I could listen to Colin firth all day!

You must listen to this book!

Where does The End of the Affair rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

WIthin the top five!

What other book might you compare The End of the Affair to and why?

I have a hard time thinking of any book that can compare. The writing is beautiful. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for every word.

Have you listened to any of Colin Firth’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not, but I will search for them now!

Any additional comments?

I feel blessed to have heard these words and this performance!

Sumptuous narration

Colin Firth brings the characters alive. I was mesmerized by his voice, narration style, and the deep emotions he evoked in me.
I couldn't bring myself to like Sarah. But I really liked her husband and the strong bond that the two men: Bendrix and Miles shared through their mutual love and pain. A great read (or should I say "listen"!).

Colin Firth makes this book even better

The perfect book to make you think about relationships, guilt, and commitment. Colin Firth disappears into his performance of the story in the best possible way.

Music to my ears

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book was well written';' however, the story moved a little slow. I certainly enjoyed it and for me, it was time well spent.

Would you be willing to try another book from Graham Greene? Why or why not?

I would be happy to try another book of Graham Greene. He was able to take a simple story and make it more complex and interesting. I would like to see what else he has to offer.

Have you listened to any of Colin Firth’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only watched Colin Firth's movies. I have listened to many audiobooks. Listening to Colin read this book was music to my ears. I do not believe that there is another male voice that could compare to his tone or ability.

Did The End of the Affair inspire you to do anything?

There is no inspiration in having an affair.

Any additional comments?

Colin Firth made this book worth listening to.

Very good classic story.

I really enjoyed this classic novel. I especially loved Colin Firth as the narrator, he did an excellent job narrating the story.

A Repeat Listen

If you love classic literature, and stories of unrequited love (although this one doesn't quite fit that bill), you must add this performance to your wish list. I've read this book probably half a dozen times. It is beautiful writing, and Firth's narration only adds to the pleasure.

Nicely done

I usually never read books like this (love stories) but thought I would give it a try. I have to admit, it did hold my attention as I felt it was very well written and the narration was good. Since I rarely read these type of books, you would be better served to read the reviews of people who like these types of books, as I really don't have anything to compare it to.