Graham Greene Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Standalone Plays

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Short Story Anthologies

Publication Order of Vintage Voyages Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Graham Greene was a critically acclaimed English author of the literary fiction and thriller genres of novels. He was regarded as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. Author Greene had gained a lot of popularity along with literary acclaim, which helped him to acquire the reputation of as a noteworthy author very early in his career. He used to write both the entertaining thriller novels as well as serious Catholic books with great ease. In the year 1967, he was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize for his dedicated work in the field of literature. During the course of the 67 years of his writing career, author Greene penned down a total of 25 books, all of which explored the grave political and moral issues of the world. All these elements were depicted in his novels in the form of a Catholic perspective. Greene was strongly considered to be a novelist of Roman Catholic style of writing rather than being just a Catholic. But, most of his books were based on the religious themes of Catholic origin. The 4 major Catholic novels written by him are regarded as the gold standard of the Catholic theme. A few of his other successful books show that author Greene had an avid interest in the intrigues and the workings of the international espionage and politics. Greene was born on October 2, 1904 in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England; and died on April 3, 1991 in Vevey, Switzerland. His family was a large and influential one at that time, and were the owners of the ‘Greene King Brewery’. He studied at the Berkhamsted School, where his father used to work as a teacher and headmaster.

Author Greene had no interest in studying and used to remain quite unhappy all the time. He had even attempted to commit suicide on a few occasions. After his schooling, author Greene joined the Balliol College in Oxford for studying history. He published his debut work in the year 1925, while still being an undergraduate. After the completion of his graduation, he started working as a private tutor and later switched to journalism. He first joined the Nottingham Journal and then became a sub editor at The Times. Greene decided to convert to Catholism after meeting his would be wife Viven Dayrell Browning in the year 1926. Author Greene went on to publish his first book called ‘The Man Within’ in the year 1929. The positive response of the book enabled him to start working as a full time novelist. The income that he used to get by selling his book, he used to use a major part of them for freelance journalism as well as film reviews. Author Greene was once sued by the producers at Fox for one of his film reviews based on the sexuality of a child star. Due to this, he had to live in exile in Mexico till the trial did not get over. While living there, he got the idea of a story that later went on to become one of his masterpieces, titled ‘The Power and the Glory’. Author Greene had a prolonged history of depression that had a major effect on his personal life as well as in his writings. During the last years of his life, author Greene used to live in the same town as Charlie Chaplin and used to visit him very often. Later, the two had become very good friends. He succumbed to leukemia in the year 1991 at the age of 86 and his dead body was cremated in the Corseux cemetery. Just before his death, author Greene was awarded with the Order of Merit of Britain. The family of author Greene comprised of his wife Vivien and a couple of children named Lucy Caroline and Francis. It was believed that he was involved in a few sexual encounters and affairs while he was still married. Due to this, he was estranged with his children and wife, and considered his books to be his children.

One of the earliest books written by author Graham Greene in his writing career was titled as ‘The Quiet American’. This book was released by the Penguin Classics in the year 1955. The main plot of the book is set in Vietnam and depicts the characters of Thomas Fowler, Phuong, Alden Pyle, and Vigot in the lead roles. The story narrated in this novel turns out to be a classic exploration of innocence, morality, and love. At the start of the book, Alden Pyle is described as a man who had better motives behind all the troubles caused by him. He is a brash and young idealist who is sent to Saigon on a mysterious mission by Washington. He is ordered to help the French Army, who were struggling against the Vietnamese guerrillas. But, all the policies that Alden Pyle makes with good intentions turn into bloodshed, after which Fowler is forced to come to his rescue. He is introduced in the novel as a cynical and seasoned British reporter, who could not stand safely on the sides as an observer. However, the motives of Fowler for intervening get suspected by the police as Pyle goes on to steal his beautiful mistress from Vietnam. The novel had opened to great reviews and appreciations all over the world. This helped author Greene to receive great acclaim for his work. The book went on to be adapted into a movie on two occasions. Overall, the novel remains a present and terrifying portrait of innocence.

Another book written by author Green early in his career was titled as ‘The End of Affair’. It was published by the Vintage Classics in the year 1951. The setting of this book is done in London, England, United Kingdom and includes the main characters in the form of Henry Miles, Maurice Bendrix, and Sarah Miles. According to author Greene, the plot of this novel appears more of a story of hate than of love. At the opening scene of the book, Maurice Bendrix is shown as having the same belief. He finds the hate to be a strange one that compels him to set a retrospective account of the adulterous affair that he had with a married woman named Sarah Miles. When Sarah dies suddenly, Maurice Bendrix becomes very much sad. After one year passes by, he begins to exorcise his passion’s persistence by trying to retrace the course from an obsessive love to that of love-hate. In the beginning, Maurice believes that he hates both Sarah and her husband named Henry Miles. But, as he continues to delve into the emotional outlook of himself, his hatred turns towards the God, who he believes has brought his life to a downfall. However, Maurice Bendrix goes on to realize the existence of the God in the end.