Rick Robinson reviewed a Graham Greene short story collection a few weeks ago. That motivated me to read Greene’s Complete Short Stories, a wonderful collection of 49 stories. Greene’s short stories were scattered through four short story collections. This volume gathers them together in one handy place. For Graham Greene fans, here’s the breakdown of the stories:
Stories 01 to 21: 1954’s Twenty-One Stories (itself an expansion of 1947’s Nineteen Stories)
Stories 22 to 25: 1963’s A Sense of Reality
Stories 26 to 37: 1967’s May We Borrow Your Husband? and Other Comedies of the Sexual Life
Stories 38 to 49: 1990’s The Last Word: And Other Stories
Everyone will have their favorites but I recommend gems like “The Destructors,” “Under the Garden,” “An Appointment With the General, and “The Basement Room.” I consider them some of the finest short stories ever written. If you’ve only read Graham Greene’s fine novels, you’re missing out on some of his best work if you ignore his short fiction. GRADE: A
(This completes the September 2010 portion of my Short Story Reading Challenge. I will read and review one short story collection per month in 2010. To find out more about the Short Story Reading Challenge, be sure to click: “http://theshortstorychallenge.blogspot.com/”>Short Story Reading Challenge.
OOOh! I do fancy that!
Graham Greene’s COMPLETE SHORT STORIES is a terrific book, Paul. You’ll really enjoy it!
As mentioned I’ve read 21 Stories so I guess I need to read the rest. I thought I’d read Husband but it’s not on my list.
Thanks for the clarification.
21 STORIES is a slight expansion of the book Rick read: 19 STORIES. You’ll like this complete collection, Jeff.
OK – just reserved it from the library.
I don’t think I’ve read his shorts-but I have read about six of his novels so I think I’d like this collection. Thanks for the idea.
You’re going to find Graham Greene’s COMPLETE SHORT STORIES compelling, Patti. Greene is best known for his novels, but he mastered the short story form, too.
I rad a story or two of his a month. “The Basement Room” gets richer for me every time I read it.
You’re so right about “The Basement Room,” Ed. It’s a classic that rewards rereading.
After 19 STORIES, I have been thinking I wanted to read more, and this is obviously the way to go. This will be added to my shelves, probably after I get settled up north.
This is the ultimate Graham Greene collection, Rick. Every serious reader should have a copy in their library. Thank you for prodding me to read this book by writing such a fine review of 19 STORIES.
(blush) nice compliment, George, glad you enjoyed it.
One of the greatest benefits of the Internet is the influence of wonderful reviews on one’s reading, Rick. I’ve read dozens of books I might not have considered simply because of reviews from people I respect.
Same here, George, yourself not least among them.
Ditto. Most recent book read via recommendation: S. J. Bolton’s Sacrifice, one of George’s picks.
You’ll enjoy Bolton’s SACRIFICE, Jeff.
George, I’ve now got yesterday’s ghastly-sounding pick on order.
THE LONG EMERGENCY freaked me out, Drongo. I doubt if anyone could read this book and not alter their life-style dramatically. I’ve decided to move up my knee replacement surgery before the titanium parts become too expensive–or completely unavailable.
I did read SACRIFICE and enjoy it. Despite her HIBK actions at times, they were mostly understandable in the context. I thought she did a really good job keeping you guessing as to which of the characters was involved in the conspiracy and which was innocent.
The Greene came in already, by the way. As I read at least one short story a day this is no problem, but the books are starting to pile up again.
I found Bolton’s later books not as good as SACRIFICE, Jeff. I read three or four of Greene’s short stories a day when I tackled COMPLETE SHORT STORIES. I flew through the 49 stories in record time. Greene is a master!