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What are readers saying about The Quiet American?
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Kim-Ha posted a review at 2009-10-29 23:03:40.
(Language: English)
 
One of the greatest works of the 20th century in the English language, by one of the greatest writers of the English language--had more quiet Americans read this book in 1955, the United States could have perhaps avoided the violent and occupying involvement of Indo-China, and perhaps, even later, Iraq and Afghanistan! The novel, set in Saigon, is about a CIA agent named Pyle, who gets involved with a very suspicious "Third Force" about which, he read about, while at school. Pyle is completely out of his element, while the world-weary reporter Fowler tries, and fails to educate and protect his friend, only to discover, the American is his own enemy and one of his own making!
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Philip posted a review at 2009-09-12 07:05:58.
(Language: English)
My first Graham Greene and deffintely not my last. His ability to tell a story just draws you in. Loved it :)
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A reader posted a review at 2009-09-10 05:57:46.
(Language: English)
I finally got around to reading this beautifully told story of Saigon in the 1950s. Great read.
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Rob posted a review at 2009-08-09 15:40:25.
(Language: English)
Fantastic story, fantastically well put together. The historical setting is fascinating as well. A real gem.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-08-08 19:23:43.
(Language: English)
I just finished "The Quiet American". I highly recommend it. I found Green's descriptions and impressions of Vietnam to be lyrical and masterful. Having been in Saigon and on the same road he describes to Tan Yin, in the Cao Dao temple, and having stayed in Cholon, I was mesmerized.Although he did portray "a truth" about some Americans, I find in general Greene to be somewhat naive. Here's what Robert Stone has to say about Greene: "It would be simpleminded to say that Greene based or took his conception of all things American from films. But the degree to which his strategies as a novelist were influenced by films, the measure of weighty insight he drew from some pretty flimsy American movies is considerable." Still "The Quiet American" rings true today as it did in the fifties and sixties, especially the depiction of American involvement in a war with people and cultures of whom we understand so little.
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Louise posted a review at 2009-07-24 18:11:24.
(Language: English)
Only my second Greene, and I kinda liked it. I am refusing to watch the movie, though - Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser are just not the guys that are in my head.
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Sally posted a review at 2009-06-01 14:05:12.
(Language: English)
I've yet to read anything bad by Graham Greene. Another brilliant story from arguably one of the finest writers of all time. How he isn't better known is beyond me. I would have given this book 5 stars, but nothing can better Green's 'The Heart of The Matter'.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-05-31 05:20:15.
(Language: English)
Just a great read. would love to turn this into a period movie
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Susan posted a review at 2009-05-19 22:13:37.
(Language: English)
Interesting. Luckily it was fairly short - couldn't have stuck with it if it was longer because it was kind of slow moving and because the time period was challenging for me. I didn't know there was a French-Indochina conflict before the US involvement in Vietnam. Watched the movie after I finished - Vietnam is much more beautiful than I imagined.
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