COMPLETE SHORT STORIES By Graham Greene

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.

20 thoughts on “COMPLETE SHORT STORIES By Graham Greene

  1. Jeff Meyerson

    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.

    Reply
  2. Patti Abbott

    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.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply
  3. Jeff Meyerson

    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.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      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!

      Reply

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