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A review by eely225
A Sort of Life by Graham Greene
3.0
It sings intermittently. There's a lot to like here, particularly as Greene describes the challenges that beset him as he tried to make writing fiction a proper career. But he seems so fixated on the frustrations of certain scenes and how they connect to his later literary output that he misses some of the most interesting stories he has to tell. By all accounts his family is a diverse and interesting one, but he gives only enough hints about them for them to be strange archetypes rather than people. His marriage is almost an afterthought, and the reader ends up learning more about the priest who first instructed him in Catholic thought. Of course Greene can divulge what he wants about his own life, but he seems cautious to really get to the heart of the matter.
Still, he's Graham Greene. When he shines, he shines. His thoughts on being down and out and trying to be somebody are as sparkling here as in any of his novels. His description of suicidal inclinations, boredom, and illogical faith are memorable and well formed. There's just a great deal in between. It's not by any means unpleasant, but it can be a bit uneven.
Also it only addresses his life up through his first four published novels, all of which he deems failures, so many of the most dynamic points of his life remain unaddressed. Good thing he wrote a second autobiography, I suppose.
Still, he's Graham Greene. When he shines, he shines. His thoughts on being down and out and trying to be somebody are as sparkling here as in any of his novels. His description of suicidal inclinations, boredom, and illogical faith are memorable and well formed. There's just a great deal in between. It's not by any means unpleasant, but it can be a bit uneven.
Also it only addresses his life up through his first four published novels, all of which he deems failures, so many of the most dynamic points of his life remain unaddressed. Good thing he wrote a second autobiography, I suppose.