The End of the Affair

By: Graham Greene

Narrated by: Michael Kitchen

Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

The novelist Maurice Bendrix's love affair with his best friend's wife, Sarah, had begun in London. One day, without warning, Sarah had broken off the relationship. It seemed impossible that there could be a rival for her heart.

©1979 Graham Greene (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Good, but problematic

Graham Greene was a brilliant literary novelist.
This novel, to my opinion, is not his best.

The plot is interesting, beautifully- melancholic, and it's obvious that Greene put his soul into it.
However, as soon as i got into the story, the theme became very religious, almost missionary (Catholic).
I didn't mind the religious elements as long as they came from a personal point of view, especially since, some of the themes were thought provoking and touching, but in a way i was left under the impression - the missionary text took over the story, overshadowed the literary value of the whole and gave the final word.

a tale of love, loss and missed opportunity

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

I loved the way all of the characters emotions were disseted,it wasn't a romance as such but a studyof love and hate set aginst a background of stiff Bristish mores.

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

When Maurice and Sarah were making love in her drawing room on the lounge, and her pleasure was audible,maurice afraid her husband who was ill upstairs would hear her cries of passion,she replies that he would not recognise the sound.It was sad.

Which scene was your favorite?

In the church, when Maurice had stalked Sarah after their breakup. She was so ill she had fallen asleep on his shoulder,he was under the impression they would go away together,she was actually dying and too exhausted to deny his wish.

If you could rename The End of the Affair, what would you call it?

The woman who loved.

Any additional comments?

This was quite a sad book,two people who were almost happy,circumstances were against their union.

Captivating Listen!

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

Having never read any of Greene's novels, I was immediately engrossed in the journey he took me on in The End of the Affair. I shall be reading more of his works very soon.

What did you like best about this story?

I can honestly say that I felt completely immersed in the main character's mind and thoughts, his emotions and observations. The struggle betwixt God's existence and his desire to love and hate was captivating and took me on his journey with him.

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

Kitchen's narration was EVERYTHING in this 'listen'. His inflections of each emotion were perfectly read and delivered. One would have thought that Greene was actually doing the read!

If you could rename The End of the Affair, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename it!!!

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to read the next one!

Earlier Reviewer Said It Well

Graham Greene is a wonderful listen even when not at his best. The first half of the book promises more than the second half delivers. An earlier reviewer 'Vered' described exactly what I felt about this book; the religous issues are clearly something that the author was wrestling with, but they overpower the story in the end. The narrator does a good job.

It's as though GG himself is talking

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

I felt, listening to Michael Kitchen read The End of the Affair, as though Greene himself was telling me this story. The reading is so personal, so heartfelt. This is seriously one of the best narrations I have listened to.

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

As the story winds tighter and tighter, Kitchen's telling intensifies and yet his voice somehow retains a British distance and restraint that is so in keeping with this story and the author.

The difinitive reading of Greene's work

Michael Kitchen's narration conveys the soul of Graham Greene's literary voice -- a great compliment. I've rarely been so "drawn in" by a reading. I am a long-time fan of Graham Greene's work and grateful to Kitchen for new insight into "The End of the Affair." Bravo!
More! More!

Good Introduction to Greene

I bought this book captivated by the title. Isnt it an engaging title : as if something ominous is about to happen at "The end of the Affair".
It is the first Graham Greene that I have 'listened' to, having read him before and I must say that Greene agrees well to the audio book format. Especially this story with only a few characters and a simple plot. It is not the best Greene for me (that would be The Quiet American) but it is engaging with its soap opera style telling of an extra marital affair. The narration is clear and doesnt distract you from the story - which is how good narrations should be.

Not Colin Firth

I love the story, but I thought the narrator was Colin Firth. I was so disappointed that it was Michael Kitchen, I could not listen to the whole book. In hindsight, perhaps I should have checked that it was a different narrator than advertized on the Facebook sidebar add. I cancelled my subscription, and unfortunately am leary about buying an audible book. It was free, but I would have hated to have wasted my money on the wrong version. All and all you have lost a potential customer.

This is not a critizism of Michael Kitchen.