Our Man in Havana

Now, I could have reviewed the book I've just finished reading - I know it well enough, and it would have given me the chance to write a not-one-hundred-percent-positive review, which is always fun. But... well, it's not very good, and I think I've been doing fairly well in persuading you all that I only read well-written, meaningful novels, so I'm not letting that go just yet!

Instead, I've decided to write about one of my favourite novels. 'Our Man in Havana' was the first Graham Greene novel I read, and essentially shaped my opinion of his work, which is why I've been so surprised when people weren't keen. I followed it with 'The Comedians' (which is almost as good), so I couldn't think what the problem was until I read (well, almost read - got halfway through anyway...) 'Brighton Rock'. Which is funny, because it's meant to be one of the good ones.

However, I can't seem to get into it, so it's sitting on my shelf, half read. Anwyay, the reason I was mentioning all of that is to say: if you're not new to Greene, if you've read another of his novels and found it too Catholic, or slightly dull, don't write him off. Really.

'Our Man in Havana' is fabulous. Yes, Catholicism is a part of it, but it is far from overwhelming - nothing like the same level as 'Brideshead Revisited', to pluck a name from thin air (I know that isn't by Greene, but it is very Catholic). Our hero is not Catholic. In fact, he is an atheist, and has been for some time now.

The novel is a gentle comedy, ridiculing the British Intelligence Service, of which Greene had first-hand knowledge, having worked for MI6. The basic idea is that the SIS recruits Wormold (our hero), to report to them on any military developments in Havana. He knows nothing about such developments, so begins to fabricate his reports, needing the money they bring in for his expensive daughter.

Eventually, he discovers that his reports are somehow coming true, and gets caught up in a world he hoped to avoid altogether. The novel never loses its lighthearted feel, even in the tensest times, and Greene's writing style remains consistently entertaining. His amusement at the way the SIS dealt with the world is clear, and well transmitted. This is an extremely entertaining and beautifully written novel - I would absolutely recommend it, particularly if you haven't been wowed by Greene before.