Autorentext

ANDREW JAMES is a Professor of English Literature at Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan. Specializing in biographical approaches to literary study, James is dedicated to enriching the appreciation of literature through innovative research and teaching. He is the author of Kingsley Amis: Antimodels and the Audience.

Klappentext

Exploring the creative mind of Graham Greene, a metafictional study of a literary icon Graham Greene's novels offer more than gripping narratives-they are a window into the author's creative obsessions. The Life of the Author: Graham Greene presents a groundbreaking study that unveils the intimate connection between Greene's life and work, using metafictional analysis to reveal the evolution of his views on authorship and storytelling. Moving beyond conventional critical interpretations, literary scholar Andrew James invites readers to discover how Greene saw himself within his fiction and how his self-perception shaped his literary masterpieces. Written with both depth and accessibility, this illuminating book delves into Greene's disciplined creative process, his struggles with self-doubt, and his playful yet profound engagement with the craft of writing. Organized thematically, The Life of the Author focuses on Greene's post-1940 works, where his identity as a writer solidified, making his novels rich with autobiographical undertones. Throughout the text, James offers new insights into Greene's novels while connecting recurring themes to his personal and creative growth. An innovative exploration of one of the twentieth century's most enigmatic authors, The Life of the Author: Graham Greene:

• Examines Greene's novels through the lens of metafiction to offer a fresh perspective on his craft
• Presents detailed literary analyses that reveal the self-reflective nature of Greene's storytelling
• Focuses on Greene's authorial identity, tracing his growth as a writer from neutral observer to committed advocate
• Concentrates on Greene's major novels while avoiding exhaustive academic overviews to promote independent critical discovery

• Discusses the metafictional significance of Greene's novels and "entertainments" Enriching appreciation for Greene's artistry while exploring metafictional approaches in literary biography, The Life of the Author: Graham Greene is ideal for university courses in 20th-century British literature, biography, and literary theory, particularly at introductory and intermediate levels. Scholars, students, and avid readers of Greene will find it an invaluable resource for understanding the interplay between an author's life and their creative output.

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  Acknowledgements vii

  1 Graham Greene, Writer and Man 1

  The Writer 1

  The Man 3

  2 A Review of Critical Literature 9

  Pre-Sherry 9

  Sherry 14

  Post-Sherry 15

  Research Hazards 18

  3 Metafiction 21

  Understanding Metafiction 21

  Stamboul Train and Identity Questions 24

  Sortes Virgilianae 28

  Brighton Rock (1938) 31

  4 Women, Writing, and Reading Patterns 35

  The Power and the Glory (1940) 36

  The Heart of the Matter (1948) 39

  The End of the Affair (1951) 45

  5 Authenticity 51

  The Quiet American (1955) 52

  Our Man in Havana (1958) 55

  A Burnt-Out Case (1960) 57

  6 Fakes and Scoundrels 63

  The Comedians (1966) 64

  Travels with My Aunt (1969) 68

  The Honorary Consul (1973) 71

  7 With Literature as Our Guide 79

  The Human Factor (1978) 80

  Doctor Fischer of Geneva or The Bomb Party (1980) 84

  Monsignor Quixote (1982) 87

  8 Summing Up 91

  The Captain and the Enemy (1988) 91

  Final Thoughts 94

  References 99

  Endnotes 103

  Index 109