The Quiet American.

"I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused": First Edition of Graham Greene's The Quiet American; From the library of Richard Adams with his ownership signature

The Quiet American.

GREENE, Graham (Richard Adams).

Item Number: 93562

London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1955.

First edition of Greene’s classic novel of exploration of love, innocence, and morality in Vietnam. Octavo, original blue cloth. From the library of Richard Adams with his ownership signature to the front free endpaper. Best known as the author of Watership Down, English novelist Richard Adams was heavily influenced by fellow English author Graham Greene’s novels, specifically the moral and religious themes prevalent throughout his work. Although Greene objected strongly to being described as a Roman Catholic novelist, rather than as a novelist who happened to be Catholic, Catholic religious themes are at the root of much of his writing, especially the four major Catholic novels: Brighton Rock, The Power and the Glory, The Heart of the Matter, and The End of the Affair. Adams’ Watership Down exhibits strong parallels to the overarching religious themes of Greene’s work, following a group of anthropomorphised rabbits who encounter perils and temptations on their journey to establish a new home after their warren is destroyed. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with toning to the spine. An exceptional association linking these two great novelists of the twentieth century.

Against the intrigue and violence of Vietnam during the French war with the Vietminh, Alden Pyle, an idealistic young American, is sent to promote democracy, as his friend, Fowler, a cynical foreign correspondent, looks on. Fowler’s mistress, a beautiful native girl, creates a catalyst for jealousy and competition between the men, and a cultural clash resulting in bloodshed and deep misgivings. Written in 1955 prior to the Vietnam conflict, The Quiet American foreshadows the events leading up to the Vietnam conflict. The Quiet American proves "urgent, mournful and unsparing there’s not another book quite like it" (Salon). Adapted to the screen in 1958, and again in 2002 starring Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser.

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