The Power and glory by Graham Greene

Dog portrait above in memory of our favourite terrier, Jason.

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene


I just finished reading this book with an introduction by John Updike in large print. Both Greene and Updike are great writers in my book. At the same time I was reading The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley; quite a different kettle of fish. The first book written in 1940 and the second in 1953. I recommend them both highly. John Updike who recently died caught the atmosphere of the Greene book in just a few pages.

The books are morality tales; the Greene book presenting a world in Mexico at its worst and the Hartley book set in most comfortable surroundings in a large house in Norfolk. However, both books end in death for the priest before a firing squad and the tenant farmer by his own hand.

If you enjoy good writing these two books will perk your interest despite some of the events that unfold. Some characters you won't easily forget like the whisky priest, Mr Tench the dentist, the banana plantation manager, the police chief and the lieutenant, and in the other book the schoolboy Leo, Marian, Lord Trimingham and Ted Burgess.

Good reading to you all...