The Power and the Glory

By: Graham Greene

Narrated by: Bernard Mayes

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Graham Greene explores corruption and atonement in this penetrating novel set in 1930s Mexico during the era of Communist religious persecutions. As revolutionaries determine to stamp out the evils of the church through violence, the last Roman Catholic priest is on the lam, hunted by a police lieutenant. Despite his own sense of worthlessness—he is a heavy drinker and has fathered an illegitimate child—he is determined to continue to function as a priest until captured. He is contrasted with Padre Jose, a priest who has accepted marriage and embodies humiliation.

A Christian parable pitting God and religion against 20th-century materialism, The Power and the Glory is considered by many, including the author himself, to be Greene’s best work.

©1940, 1962, 1968 by Graham Greene (P)1990 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“As brilliantly written as it is magnificently conceived.” (Chicago Sun)

Incredible book!

Where does The Power and the Glory rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the five best books I have read in the past 10 years. A tour de force!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Power and the Glory?

I don't want to spoil the book for those who have not read it. But the ending is very beautiful.

Which character – as performed by Bernard Mayes – was your favorite?

The priest.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Must read!

spiritual struggle insightful

It can be a little difficult to follow the story at times, but gives a glimpse into the spiritual struggles of Mexicans during this time of violent persecution.

Sublime Novel

Wishing the narrator a happy retirement from the field.
Searching for a better rendition, alas..

A cross section of life

in the spirit of Emile Zola, this classic novel explorers the interior ruminations of a Catholic priest who has by his own admission fallen short. While a few threads of the story are dropped and picked up again sometimes difficult to weave together, the point of the book is to articulate the moral ambiguities in the human soul. This is not a Hollywood happy ending book but it does lend credibility to the idea that being true to oneself has value.

The narration was at first difficult to follow and even the recording a bit muffled. but as the performance went on it became easier.

Great writer. Could have used more fleshed out female characters

The writing is excellent. The place feels real.
The lack of perspective from women was an area of weakness.

Examination of Evil

This is one of Greene's novels that examines evil.

A "whiskey" priest repeatedly escapes a lieutenant who is part of the regime suppressing Catholicism in Mexico. The priest questions his own worth, and towards the end comes to terms with God as he faces his execution.

I've seen many movies based on novels by Graham Greene, but this is the first I've read.

Based on the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles. Calles' regime was known for its represive anti-Catholic phase.

Quality of the audio book was horrible. I listened at 1.5x speed, which seemed to help.

Wow! I love this book!

I keep listening to this book over again something always gets to me that I didn't fully get before. The image of the nameless Father being continually pared down to his essence, which is so pure, is compelling and strangely comforting. The narration is striking and quite funny in parts. Mr. Mayes has unusual voice that drew me in right away. I highly recommend this book.

A Graham Greene Masterpiece

What did you love best about The Power and the Glory?

This is classic Gramham Green struggling with his love/hate relationship with Catholicism. The "hero" is an alcoholic priest on the run from persecution in Mexico. He is a coward, he has fathered a child and yet he struggles to serve. He is totally believing of a very narrow Catholicism that condemns him. Today even many Catholics would consider his beliefs almost superstitious and yet he is true to them and is indeed heroic in many ways. I don't know if readers who are not familiar with the Catholicism of those times will understand or find it believable yet it is a powerful story.

What did you like best about this story?

The beautiful writing, the way Greene pulls you completely into the characters and their struggles. There is so much poverty, superstition, hatred and yet so much hidden strength. And how he faces the weaknesses in people - he has seen it all, including his own.

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

He read beautifully. He did not try to over-act the voices. He is the kind of reader I like.

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

The scenes when the priest on the run encounters people who initially disgust or frighten him and how he struggles to see them as they really are.

The Imperfect Priest

With all his foibles, the priest was a hero. I'm angry with Graham Green for the ending because I liked the priest so much. Depth and complexity of character. Narrator was good.

The Emptiness and Beauty of the Human Struggle

Throughout the presentation I felt a strong emotion of emptiness and sadness, while feeling the deeper beauty of the ongoing human struggle.