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.

Caches In Conflicts

Never has so short a book stirred in me such a cauldron of conflicting emotions.

You think Sarah deserves love, but cannot countenance that in a marriage or against vow of commitment. You ponder, why not, in her marriage free from sex for seven years, but then cringe when considering *but, with Maurice?* who's our narrator, the pompous, neurotic narcissist.

This short novel delves into such questions and those of faith in, and relationship with, God. To say much more of the story is to spoil it.

Colin Firth's narration is perfection.

It's like a black-and-white film in your head.

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

Colin's voice and the wartime setting combines to paint mental images of classic cinema in your imagination. You are not just doing your gardening, listening to a book. You are gardening in England, in the midst of moral dilemma, while the world crumbles around you.

What did you like best about this story?

There are no right answers. About anything. Anywhere. Ever.

...'This is a Hate Letter' says the narrator.

It almost sounds like the beginning of something funny... An Atheist, A Priest, An Agnostic, and A Reformed Sinner all get on a bus...but what you end up with is a meeting of the minds, serious questions, and some hard-line answers (and the occasional swerving of the bus into on-coming traffic).

This is far from being a 'funny story' but is more often the 'serious thoughts' of a lonely and bitter man reflecting on a woman who is no longer in his life, and venting his frustration on a God he can hardly believe in.

Stellar Performance meets Solid Writing

Firth actually 'adds' to a classic

Any additional comments?

Graham Greene is Graham Greene and cannot be improved upon unless, of course, you indulge in the oral interpretation of Colin Firth! Enthralling!

Stellar reading of a sad story

What made the experience of listening to The End of the Affair the most enjoyable?

Colin Firth's interpretation of the story, his voice.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Somewhat disturbing take on human nature and relationships.

What about Colin Firth’s performance did you like?

How can you go wrong with Colin?

Colin Firth has one of the most captivating voices

If you could sum up The End of the Affair in three words, what would they be?

I was mesmerized while I listened to a story I have been meaning to read this book but audio was so much more rewarding

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

The Awakening. It took me back in time yet Anais Nin and Henry Miller can to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was sad but then I was puzzled with the turn of events. There was one scene that did make cry.

Any additional comments?

I want to hear more of Colin. I love him. He sounds so sexy!

an amazing performance

Colin Firth is nothing short of spectacular in this performance. The story, of course, is dark & grim. Still, the combination is memorable. I dearly hope the narrator can be convinced to do some more!

Colin Firth is phenomenal

Listen to this version of the book. You will not be sorry. Colin Firth was just amazing!

Powerful reading of a classic Graham Greene novel

What made the experience of listening to The End of the Affair the most enjoyable?

Colin Firth as the narrator was magnificient - no fancy accents, just beautiful reading. I could listen to almost anything he reads. I had not read Graham Greene in 30-40 years and had never read this one so it was a surprise and very enjoyable. Greene is tortured by his Catholicism - a love/hate relationship - and it is the undercurrent in all his novels. Be prepared for that. But this was an intriguing novel.

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

Other Greene books, of course, where he struggles with his classic confrontation between belief/non-belief. Also other English Catholics struggling with the same issues - like Evelyn Waugh (Brideshead Revisited).

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes between the narrator and the husband of his lover.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listened to it on my walks and I walked much further because I wanted to keep listening to find out what would happen.

Any additional comments?

A classic - worth the listen.

Forbidden love

Such an intriguing and well-constructed story. Forbidden love is always so desperate and dramatic. Loved the dialogue they each had with themselves as they tried to make sense of what was happening to them.