Scan barcode
paulataua's review against another edition
3.0
There has been a leak in the government office and Castle and Davis are very much the suspected double agents. Sometimes you just want a good story well told and Greene is often my go to author at times like that. I hadn’t read this for decades and this time it felt less strong than before with less of an engaging story than one would want. With just two suspects one limits possibilities. An enjoyable read, but not up there with his best novels. Still and all, it is very difficult to be disappointed by Graham Greene.
caitykk's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
emily1602's review against another edition
Wow, I really liked this! Possibly the first book I have ever read where the protagonist shoots a dog and is supposed to remain sympathetic (which he did, I still liked him after the dog shooting thing). The main character is Castle, a spy who has a desk job with MI5 in London but is secretly working for the Russians, and helping them more than he realizes. The first three-quarters are subdued, with an undercurrent of menace. The desk job is boring but stressful. The slow beginning makes it more believable when people start getting poisoned and sneaking across borders wearing disguises. Also, the uncertainty of everyone involved makes it more believable. No one knows everything that is happening, no one manages to pull off a grand plan. They don't act like suave spies. Because the characters were believable as people, I got super emotionally invested. Reminded me of The Americans. But that show went on for too long; this ended in the right place.
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
Dull and confusing. I skimmed though the 2nd half as it just wasn't interesting enough. The final few pages were quite good though.
bobbo49's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The backstory is as amazing as the book: Greene of course was a British intelligence officer during WWII, and he became acquaintances with the Russian double agent Kim Philby, having lunch with him regularly. Greene started to write this book before Philby was outed in the 1950s, and put it aside out of his anger and frustration. Finally, when Philby escaped back to Moscow, Greene picked up the writing.
This is a profoundly personal reflection on why a spy would turn on his own country, told in the first person. An excellent read.
This is a profoundly personal reflection on why a spy would turn on his own country, told in the first person. An excellent read.
bookpossum's review against another edition
4.0
A book as bleak as this one is probably not the best choice to read in the midst of a pandemic, in a city in lockdown.
Very well done, but no more Greene for me until life is a bit more cheerful!
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Very well done, but no more Greene for me until life is a bit more cheerful!
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
blueyorkie's review against another edition
4.0
I was diving into the occult and ruthless world of secret agents, which are sometimes double ones.
Solitary in the heart of the Organization, the secret agent evolves in troubled water, in an opaque universe heavy with mistrust and suspicion: the colleague who seems the most harmless and inspires you the most sympathy will not prove he's not the traitor or your worst enemy?
"The Human Factor" is an actual novel of atmosphere, but, for me, reading is a little tricky due to the bitterness of the subject.
Is not Graham Greene one of those writers who has been unfairly forgotten?
Solitary in the heart of the Organization, the secret agent evolves in troubled water, in an opaque universe heavy with mistrust and suspicion: the colleague who seems the most harmless and inspires you the most sympathy will not prove he's not the traitor or your worst enemy?
"The Human Factor" is an actual novel of atmosphere, but, for me, reading is a little tricky due to the bitterness of the subject.
Is not Graham Greene one of those writers who has been unfairly forgotten?