Is that really the end?. Review on End of the Affair, The - Graham Greene

`The End of the Affair’ is one of my all time favorite books. Writer Graham Greene, with his marvelous writing skills has presented an epitome of love, passion and faith in the form of this book. But, let me warn you that it’s not -so-light- -n- entertaining kind of book, which you can grab, just to lighten up. It’s a serious read; some may find it boring (to be honest!) because, this book does not follow the set formula of story telling.

This is a story of some dark, unrevealing corners of human hearts. These corners possess some secret, indescribable feelings. Based on such abstract emotions ‘The End of a Affair’ is a classic gift of Greene to world of literature. (Well, this is what I think!). It is said that this book is based on personal experience of the writer.

Story starts with Maurice Bendrix, one of the main characters, writing his diary, which he calls ‘a diary of hate’ which is actually a story of his possessive love for Sarah and its tragic end. This book is a narrative by Maurice, the narrator.

The background of story is set in London, during/just after World War. Story revolves around the lives of three main characters Maurice Bendrix, the novelist, Henry Miles and Sarah miles, married but not-so- happy couple. Sarah is a dutiful wife to Henery but somehow their flaccid relation leads to her love affair with Maurice. A wonderful intellectual and physical relation grows between them and is sustained for years.

Story of a seemingly usual kind of extramarital affaires takes a twist when this relation ends abruptly. After an incident, which apparently did not have any link to their affair, Sarah suddenly breaks her relation with Maurice. Incident being a bomb blast, which takes place at Maurice’s house, few minutes after their love making. Bendrix gets unconscious and this is when Sarah makes an indescribable deal with The God.

I would prefer hiding that deal (u better read the novel !!) . Well, Just a hint, this deal was something that classically depicts her love for Bendrix. Anyway, Bendrix survives the bomb blast and Sarah leaves the place, not to meet him again. But Because Bendrix was not aware of her `deal with the God’; he labels her as ‘unfaithful’ and starts hating her.

After two years, Bendrix meets her husband Henery in a rainy night and goes to her place once again. Same, old passion for her grows again in him, though somewhat negative this time.

Ironically, Henery tells Bendrix that he is doubtful if she is having affair with someone. Bendrix advise him to hire detective to confirm his doubt, but Henery denied.

Now, out of his sheer jealousy and hatred for Sarah he wanted to know where there is any third man in her life and what was the secret behind their separation. For this he takes the help of detective and his young son. And by the time he comes to know the truth, it’s very late… Film based on this novel is also a treat to watch.