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The Heart of the Matter

Graham Greene

The Heart of the Matter

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In this modern classic, Graham Greene delves deep into character to tell the dramatic, suspenseful story of a good man's conflict between passion and faith. A police commissioner in a British-governed, war-torn West African state, Scobie is bound by the strictest integrity and sense of duty both for his Colonial responsibilities and for his wife, whom he deeply pities but no longer loves. Passed over for a promotion, he is forced to borrow money in order to send his despairing wife away on a holiday. When in her absence he develops a passion for a young widow, the scrupulously honest Catholic finds himself giving way to deceit and dishonor. Enmeshed in love and intrigue, he will betray everything he believes in, with tragic consequences.

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Publisher
Random House (UK)
Year
1971
ISBN-13
9780670000708
Genre
FictionCrime & Thriller
Topics
Faith and moralityAdultery and betrayalGuilt and duty