The End of the Affair by Graham Greene. Summary of the book.

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The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

The End of the Affair is a 1951 novel by English author Graham Greene, and is considered one of the greatest works of English literature. The novel tells the story of a troubled love affair between a writer, Maurice Bendrix, and a married woman, Sarah Miles. The novel is set in London in the early 1950s and explores the themes of love, faith, trust, and betrayal.

Plot Summary

The story begins after the end of the affair between Maurice and Sarah. Maurice, who is still in love with Sarah, is trying to discover why she ended the affair. He hires a private detective, Parkis, to investigate Sarah’s movements. Parkis discovers that Sarah has been having an affair with a man named Henry Miles, who turns out to be her husband. Sarah had ended the affair with Maurice because she wanted to remain faithful to her husband.

Maurice becomes obsessed with Sarah and begins to stalk her. He follows her to church, where he discovers she has become a devout Catholic. Maurice is unable to understand why Sarah has suddenly become so religious. He eventually confronts Sarah and she reveals that she has been praying for his safety during the war. In an act of self-sacrifice, she had promised God that she would end the affair with Maurice if he were to survive the war.

Maurice is overwhelmed by Sarah’s devotion to him and is finally able to let go of his obsession with her. He realizes that although the love between them was real, it was not meant to be. He is finally able to accept the end of the affair.

Main Teachings

The novel explores themes of love, faith, trust, and betrayal. It is a story of a love that could not survive in the face of faith and obligation. Maurice and Sarah’s love is real, but it is ultimately overshadowed by Sarah’s faith and her commitment to her husband. In the end, Maurice learns to accept the end of the affair and to let go of his obsession with Sarah.

The novel also explores the power of faith and prayer. Sarah’s faith is so strong that she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of her prayers. It is a testament to the power of faith to bring about seemingly miraculous changes in people’s lives. It is also a reminder that sometimes we must accept the end of things, even when it is painful.

Interesting Facts

  • The novel was adapted into a film in 1999, starring Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, and Stephen Rea.
  • The novel was based on Greene’s own affair with a married woman.
  • The novel was inspired by Greene’s own crisis of faith.
  • The novel is considered one of the greatest works of English literature.

FAQs

  • Who wrote The End of the Affair?
    The End of the Affair was written by Graham Greene.
  • When was The End of the Affair published?
    The End of the Affair was published in 1951.
  • What is the plot of The End of the Affair?
    The End of the Affair is a story of a love affair between a writer, Maurice Bendrix, and a married woman, Sarah Miles. After the affair ends, Maurice hires a private detective to investigate Sarah’s movements. He discovers that Sarah has become a devout Catholic and has ended the affair out of her faith and commitment to her husband. Maurice is finally able to accept the end of the affair and to let go of his obsession with Sarah.
  • What themes does The End of the Affair explore?
    The End of the Affair explores themes of love, faith, trust, and betrayal.
  • Was The End of the Affair made into a movie?
    Yes, The End of the Affair was adapted into a film in 1999, starring Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, and Stephen Rea.

The End of the Affair is an exploration of love, faith, trust, and betrayal. It is a story of a love that could not survive in the face of faith and obligation. Maurice and Sarah’s love is real, but it is ultimately overshadowed by Sarah’s faith and her commitment to her husband. In the end, Maurice learns to accept the end of the affair and to let go of his obsession with Sarah. The novel is considered one of the greatest works of English literature and has been adapted into a movie starring Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, and Stephen Rea.

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