Graham Greene divided his output into two parts: literary novels and “entertainments.” Some readers might consider Greene’s entertainments examples of his best writing. Penguin Books’ Three Entertainments is an omnibus volume that includes A Gun for Sale (aka, This Gun For Hire), The Confidential Agent, and The Ministry of Fear. My favorite of these three novels is A Gun For Sale which deals with a contract killer who seeks revenge after a betrayal. The other two novels, about deceit and double-dealing, make great reading, too. If you haven’t read any of Graham Greene’s “entertainments” you’re missing some best suspense novels ever written.
Great choice. I like all three of these.
Penguin does a nice job with their omnibus collections, Bill. THREE ENTERTAINMENTS is one of their best offerings.
Have not read The Confidential Agent, but Ministry of Fear is entertaining, and This Gun for Sale is one of my favorites. Read it years ago, but the memory of the disfigured Raven remains quite vivid.
You’d enjoy THE CONFIDENTIAL AGENT, Drongo. The movie version is worth a look, too.
I have only read Confidential Agent of these three, and should read the others. Great choice, George!
Looks like we are of the few with FFB this day!
Although WORDPRESS can be quirky, Rick, it’s never had the meltdown BLOGGER is experiencing now.
Well, Rick, you WordPressers can actually publish. We Blogspotted Blogger bloggers are in blog bog mode. Thanks, Google!
I can’t believe this BLOGGER problem is lasting so long, Todd. It must really be serious!
Always a good choice, Greene. I have to wonder how much of his dichotomy was defensive.
Way back when, people actually cared if a literary writer strayed into the Dark Side of Commercialism, Todd. Such concerns seem so silly now. EVERYTHING is commercialized in today’s world.
Not to mention all of Greene’s work really is of a piece.
You’re quite right, Todd. I never really understood Greene’s distinction between his “literary” works and his “entertainments.” All of his work blends together.