Greene, Graham: 1904-1991
The Third Man, 1950 - Information about the Book
- General Information | Facts | Author | Commentary | Reviews | Explanations
- General Information
- Holly Martins, who arrives penniless as a guest of his childhood chum Harry Lime in postwar Vienna, Austria, only to find him dead. Martins develops a conspiracy theory after learning of a "third man" present at the time of Harry's death, running into interference from British officer Maj. Calloway and falling head-over-heels for Harry's grief-stricken lover, Anna.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Greene’s time as an MI6 agent during World War II informed his understanding of intrigue, betrayal, and moral complexity. His experiences in intelligence work likely shaped the character of Harry Lime and the story’s exploration of loyalty versus ethics.
Greene’s relationship with Kim Philby, a British double agent who defected to the Soviet Union, may also have influenced his portrayal of Harry Lime as a charismatic yet morally corrupt figure. This parallel between Lime and Philby reflects Greene’s interest in the tension between personal loyalty and moral responsibility.
Developed by AI
- Facts
- The novel was published only after the film came out: "The novel was a fuller treatment Greene had written for himself and published only after the film came out." Darrell Delamaide; September 18, 2013
- A classic film noir thriller. Graham Greene says that it "was never written to be read but only to be seen." Roger Ebert says it is one of the ten best films of all time. The film also features the famous "Harry Lime Theme" played on a zither (see movie).
Kohn, Martin
Excerpted, with permission, from the Literature, Arts, and Medicine Database at New York University School of Medicine, © New York University. - Awards: The novella did not receive awards.
- The novella explores moral ambiguity, themes of loyalty, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. Martins struggles with his loyalty to Lime and the truth about his friend's criminal activities. In the end, Martins agrees to help lure Lime out of hiding so he can be arrested.
Developed by AI
- Despite Greene's claim about it being meant for film, the novel is viewed as an accomplished literary work. Contemporary reviewers suggested the book's reputation might even outlive the film's.
Though not explicitly about espionage, the novel is often associated with spy fiction due to its setting and the backgrounds of those involved in its creation.
There's some debate about how to classify the work - whether as a novel, novella, thriller, or "urban western".
Overall, while the film adaptation may be more widely known, the novel "The Third Man" is generally perceived as a significant work in Greene's oeuvre, appreciated for its storytelling, character development, and vivid portrayal of post-war Vienna.
Developed by AI- Reader Rating:
- Author
- Graham Greene on "The Third Man" from "Ways of Escape."
- 'The Third Man' as a Story and a Film by Graham Greene. The New York Times; March 19, 1950
- Discussion with Graham Greene about the book. Interviewed by Jack Mangan, 1950
- Commentary
- Graham Greene’s "The Third Man" is a masterful exploration of moral ambiguity, loyalty, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of post-war Vienna. The story follows Holly Martins, a naïve American writer, as he investigates the supposed death of his friend Harry Lime, only to uncover Lime’s survival and his involvement in a black-market penicillin racket that caused widespread suffering. The narrative evolves into a moral dilemma for Martins, torn between loyalty to his friend and the need for justice.
The film’s iconic settings—the Ferris wheel and Vienna’s sewers—symbolize the tension between elevated ideals and the grim realities of human corruption. Harry Lime’s cynical worldview, epitomized in his Ferris wheel speech about human insignificance, contrasts sharply with Martins’ initial idealism. Ultimately, Martins’ decision to kill Lime reflects the painful loss of innocence and the triumph of conscience over personal loyalty.
Greene’s screenplay, paired with Carol Reed’s direction, creates a visually striking and emotionally resonant thriller that critiques post-war disillusionment while maintaining suspense and moral complexity.
Developed by AI
- Reviews
- Review: "The novella is a genuine novella that Greene wrote before embarking on his screenplay, though it was not originally intended for publication." Tipping My Fedora; October 31, 2024
- Review: ""The Third Man" represents a growing trend in fiction - at the time of its publication – towards realism following the modernism that held sway between the World Wars." Bibliofreak; February 26, 2015
- Explanations
- Two Works of Art: "Seeing the differences between the film and the book, the reader “should not imagine these changes were forced on an unwilling author,” Greene says. Rather, they were the result of a creative give and take between Greene and Reed while making the film." Washington Independent; September 18, 2013
- Reader Rating: