Which Graham Greene novel should one start with as the best introduction to his work?

It's subjective, but 'The End of the Affair' is often considered one of his best. The depth of emotion and complex characters make it stand out.

I think 'Brighton Rock' is a top contender. It has a great sense of place and the characters, especially Pinkie, are really well - drawn. The seedy underworld of Brighton is brought to life vividly, and the themes of sin, redemption, and the nature of evil are explored in a really engaging way.

The novels of Grahame Greene can be divided into two categories. His serious literary works involved religious and international political issues, such as Brighton Hard Candy, Power and Glory, The Core of the Problem, The End of Love, etc. His leisure literary works involved detectives and spies, such as The Oriental Express, A Selling Gun, Secret Envoy, Cabinet of Fear, Third Party, and The Human Element. In his 67 years of writing, which spanned almost the entire history of the 20th century, he wrote more than 25 completed novels. <a href="/?from=ask_words" style="color:red" target="_blank">Read more exciting novels for free</a>

Many consider 'The Power and the Glory' to be one of his best. It tells the story of a whisky priest in Mexico during a time of anti - Catholic persecution. The priest is a flawed yet deeply sympathetic character, and Greene's exploration of faith, sin, and redemption in the face of great danger and a morally complex situation is masterfully done.

Well, 'The End of the Affair' is often regarded as one of his best novels. It tells a tragic love story with themes of love, jealousy, and faith. The way Greene weaves the narrative, exploring the complex emotions of the characters, makes it a truly remarkable piece of literature.

Many consider 'The Quiet American' to be one of his best spy novels. It delves into the complex political and moral situation in Vietnam during the French colonial era. The characters are well - drawn, and it shows Greene's astute understanding of the political machinations and human nature in a time of conflict.

I would say 'The End of the Affair' is a great one too. It's a deeply emotional story about love, jealousy, and faith. The relationship between Bendrix and Sarah is complex and poignant, and Greene's exploration of human nature in the face of love and loss is masterful.

For 'Brighton Rock', the characters are a big part of what makes it great. Pinkie is such a complex and menacing character. And the whole noir - like atmosphere of Brighton, with its seedy bars and alleys, gives the novel a unique and gritty feel. It also has a strong sense of moral ambiguity which is typical of Greene's works.

One of his highly regarded spy novels is 'The Quiet American'. It delves deep into the complex political and moral issues of the time in Vietnam. The characters are well - drawn, especially Fowler, the jaded British journalist, and Pyle, the idealistic American. The novel shows Greene's ability to create a tense and thought - provoking story within the spy genre.

The exploration of moral and ethical issues is another key factor. In 'The Human Factor', the main character's decision to be a double agent is not just about spying but also about his personal beliefs and loyalties. Greene forces the reader to question what is right and wrong in the context of international espionage, which makes the novel thought - provoking and among the best in his spy works.