53 pages • 1 hour read
Graham GreeneThe Quiet American
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Quiet American by Graham Greene is set in Vietnam during French colonialism and follows Thomas Fowler, an English journalist entangled in a love triangle with an American intelligence agent, Alden Pyle, and a Vietnamese woman, Phuong. The story explores themes of political intrigue, war, and complex human relationships through Fowler's interactions with Pyle and Phuong amid the backdrop of Vietnam's struggle for independence. Includes violence and themes of political conflict.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Graham Greene's The Quiet American is praised for its compelling narrative and profound exploration of political themes. Reviewers commend its insightful commentary on American foreign policy and moral ambiguity, though some criticize its pacing and character development. Overall, it remains a powerful, thought-provoking read with enduring relevance.
Who Should Read The Quiet American?
A reader who enjoys The Quiet American by Graham Greene likely appreciates political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and complex characters. Fans of works like The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré or Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, which delve into the darker aspects of human nature and imperialism, may find it particularly engaging.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
800LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Romance
British Literature
Military / War
Vietnam War
Society: Colonialism
Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt