120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Come visit us this weekend! Our New Bookshop is open 8:30am-5:00pm Sat & Sun 🎉

The Quiet American

Discover Graham Green’s prescient political masterpiece
By Graham Greene
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.98 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 69,551 ratings, 4,923 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Quiet American by Graham Greene is set in Vietnam during the First Indochina War. The story follows Thomas Fowler, a British journalist, who becomes entangled in a love triangle with the enigmatic American, Alden Pyle, and a Vietnamese woman named Phuong. As political tensions rise, Fowler confronts the ethical complexities of neutrality in a war-torn region and the personal consequences of love and loyalty.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2300
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the complexities of political and romantic tensions during the Vietnam War. It's a gripping tale of love and betrayal, offering a keen exploration of moral ambiguity and the impact of Western involvement in Asia. The story's rich character development and atmospheric setting make it a compelling read for those who enjoy thought-provoking narratives.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Discover Graham Green’s prescient political masterpiece

‘The novel that I love the most is The Quiet American’ Ian McEwan

Into the intrigue and violence of 1950s Indo-China comes CIA agent Alden Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy through a mysterious 'Third Force'.

CENTENARY EDITION WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY ZADIE SMITH'A great writer who spoke brilliantly to a whole generation. Prophet-like' Alec Guinness

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Into the intrigue and violence of Indo-China comes Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy through a mysterious 'Third Force'. As his naive optimism starts to cause bloodshed, his friend Fowler, a cynical foreign correspondent, finds it hard to stand aside and watch. But even as he intervenes he wonders why: for the sake of politics, or for love...

The Quiet American by Graham Greene explores the complexity of idealism and the consequences it can have on the world stage, as well as the personal dilemmas faced by those caught in its wake.

Lists

Richard Branson's must-read books

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Graham Greene's The Quiet American is highly praised for its political depth and storytelling mastery. Critics commend Greene's talent for capturing local colour, creating engaging dialogue, and the novel’s dramatic pacing. It is seen as a significant work on Vietnam, with an enduring impact acknowledged by many renowned publications.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099478393

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 October 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 151g

Pages: 208

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Fiction General Fiction Graham Greene In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction New Zealand's Best Selling Books Penguin Books Top 100 Penguin Classics

About the Author

Graham Greene was born in 1904. He worked as a journalist and critic, and in 1940 became literary editor of the Spectator. He was later employed by the Foreign Office. As well as his many novels, Graham Greene wrote several collections of short stories, four travel books, six plays, three books of autobiography, two of biography and four books for children. He also wrote hundreds of essays, and film and book reviews. Graham Greene was a member of the Order of Merit and a Companion of Honour. He died in April 1991.

Also by Graham Greene

View all
  • The End of the Affair
    'One of the most true and moving novels of my time, in anybody's language' — William Faulkner With an introduction by Monica Ali The love affair between Maurice Bendrix and Sarah, flourishing in the turbulent times of the London Blitz, ends when she suddenly and without explanation breaks it off. After a chance meeting rekindles his love and jealousy two...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2300
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Travels With My Aunt
    Vintage Voyages - A world of journeys, from the tallest mountains to the depths of the mind. Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene takes us on a wild, unconventional, and enlightening voyage with an ordinary, retired bank manager and his eccentric, daring aunt. Henry Pulling, a retired bank manager, meets his septuagenarian Aunt Augusta for the first time in...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Power and the Glory
    Graham Greene's masterpiece — John Updike During a vicious persecution of the clergy in Mexico, a worldly priest, the 'whisky priest', is on the run. With the police closing in, his routes of escape are being shut off, his chances getting fewer. But compassion and humanity force him along the road to his destiny, reluctant to abandon those who need...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2300
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Duel Duet
    Graham Greene's best short stories, selected and introduced by the novelist and super fan, Yiyun Li. Graham Greene, known for his iconic novels, also wrote exceptional short stories. Here, some of the best have been arranged into pairs - to be read as a duel or duet - by novelist and Greene aficionado, Yiyun Li. Twenty-two of Greene's very best...
    By Graham Greene
    Hardback
    $4500
    Backorder
    Ships mid October
  • Travels With My Aunt
    A witty, inventive read for anyone with a passion for travel. Henry Pulling, a retired bank manager, meets his septuagenarian Aunt Augusta for the first time in over fifty years at his mother's funeral. Soon after, she persuades Henry to abandon Southwood, his dahlias, and the Major next door to travel her way, through Brighton, Paris, Istanbul, Paraguay... Accompanying his...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2699
    Backorder
    Ships mid October
  • Brighton Rock
    A gang war is raging through the dark underworld of Brighton. Pinkie, malign and ruthless, has killed a man. Believing he can escape retribution, he is unprepared for the courageous, life-embracing Ida Arnold, who is determined to avenge a death. In Brighton Rock, Graham Greene crafts a gripping tale of crime and consequence, exploring the depths of human nature and...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2300
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Our Man In Havana
    Bright, photographic, evocative new covers for Greene's backlist, to celebrate one of the keystone writers of the Vintage Classics list. Discover Graham Greene's blackly comic and timely espionage thriller, set amid the vice and squalor of pre-revolutionary Havana. British Intelligence being sent up something rotten Daily Telegraph Wormold is a vacuum cleaner salesman in a city of power cuts. His...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2300
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Heart of the Matter
    "The truth, he thought, has never been of any real value to any human being. In human relations, kindness and lies are worth a thousand truths." – Graham Greene, The Heart of the Matter With an introduction by James Wood Scobie, a police officer serving in a war-time West African state, is distrusted, being scrupulously honest and immune to bribery....
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Sense Of Reality
    A collection of four stories comprising Under The Garden (a short novel); A Visit to the Morin; Dream of a Strange Land; and A Discovery in the Woods. In these four stories, Graham Greene, one of the masters of modern English fiction, has allowed himself the liberty of fantasy, myth, legend, and dream. The results are, quite simply, superb.
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • May We Borrow Your Husband?
    Author William Harris is spending the fag-end of the season at Antibes finishing his first attempt at historical biography, but he becomes more and more interested and involved in the antics of two homosexual interior decorators intent on stealing Poopy Travis's honeymoon husband. Which leaves him free to fall in love with Poopy himself. A widow and a divorcee tipsily...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Collected Plays
    The Living Room. The Potting Shed. The Complaisant Lover. Carving a Statue. The Return of A. J. Raffles. The Great Jowett. Yes and No. For Whom the Bell Chimes. In these eight plays, Graham Greene, one of the great writers of the twentieth century, demonstrates his considerable skills as a dramatist. Each of them explores themes that were of fundamental...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Reflections
    A varied and stimulating collection of essays from one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. Updated and edited with a new introduction by Judith Adamson Whether reporting from the London cinema, Cotswolds villages, second-hand bookshops, war zones or political trouble spots, Graham Greene's novelistic gifts for detail, drama and compassionate curiosity provide unique and resonant insights into his life and...
    By Graham Greene
    Paperback
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

More from General Fiction

View all
  • Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Yesteryear
    A BOLD AND BITING SATIRE. WILL HAVE YOU GASPING TO THE FINAL PAGE — Nita Prose WICKEDLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FRIGHTENINGLY PERCEPTIVE — Abigail Dean INVENTIVE, ADDICTIVE, A WILD RIDE — Ashley Audrain SHOT THROUGH WITH HUMOUR AND LACED WITH DARKNESS — Clare Mackintosh The Stepford Wives meets The Handmaid's Tale — Hannah Deitch My name was Natalie Heller...
    By Caro Claire Burke
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Dylan's Pick Dylan's Pick
    Theo of Golden
    THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON'For anything to be truly good, there must be love in it. Nothing is what it's supposed to be if love is not at the core.' One morning, a stranger arrives in the town of Golden. No one knows who he is or where he came from…His name is Theo and he's arrived there by chance –...
    By Allen Levi
    Paperback
    $2899
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    (6)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Wedding People
    'BEST READ OF THE YEAR SO FAR' THE TIMES 'BOOKS AS FUN AS THIS ONE ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN' GUARDIAN Phoebe Stone arrives at a grand beachside hotel in Rhode Island wearing her best dress and least comfortable shoes. Immediately she is mistaken for one of the wedding people — but she's actually the only guest at the Cornwall...
    By Alison Espach
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set (5 books)
    All five of the Court of Thorns and Roses paperbacks packaged together in a gorgeous box set. "Passionate, violent, sexy and daring." —USA TODAY on A Court of Thorns and Roses Feyre is a huntress. The skin of a wolf would bring enough gold to feed her sisters for a month. But the life of a magical creature comes at...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Set
    $9999
    Elsewhere:
    $12495
    (4)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses
    The first instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON and TikTok sensation, from multi-million selling and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan – Time Harry Potter magic, Taylor Swift sass, Fifty Shades-level athleticism – The Sunday Times With bits of Buffy, Game of Thrones and Outlander, this is a glorious series...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Mist and Fury
    A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas continues Feyre Archeron's epic journey in the world of the High Fae. Having survived the brutal trials under the Mountain, Feyre returns to the Spring Court. Though she now possesses the immortal powers of the High Fae, the traumatic experiences have left scars on her human heart. Haunted by the...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Wings and Ruin
    The third instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. In A Court of Wings and Ruin, the gripping third book of the ACOTAR series, Feyre Archeron faces the ultimate battle for her world. Having returned to the Spring Court, she is determined to gather...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Frost and Starlight
    In A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, readers are invited to revisit the enchanting world of Prythian in a heartwarming and introspective narrative. Set against the backdrop of the Winter Solstice, Feyre Archeron and her mate Rhysand return to centre stage as they strive to restore the Night Court after the devastating conflicts of A Court...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Frost and Starlight - Night Court Edition
    Limited Edition
    A Court of Frost and Starlight - Night Court Edition
    The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. An unmissable companion tale to the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Silver Flames - Night Court Edition
    Limited Edition
    A Court of Silver Flames - Night Court Edition
    The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Silver Flames
    The latest instalment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas. Maas has established herself as a fantasy fiction titan - Time Think Game of Thrones meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a drizzle of E.L. James – Telegraph Spiced with slick plotting and atmospheric world-building...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Court of Wings and Ruin - Night Court Edition
    Limited Edition
    A Court of Wings and Ruin - Night Court Edition
    The magic and beauty of the Night Court is captured in these LIMITED EDITIONS of the Court of Thorns and Roses series! This Night Court Edition features the Night Court symbol on a striking black and silver foiled cover and includes black sprayed edges. The third installment of the GLOBAL PHENOMENON, romantic fantasy epic and TikTok sensation, ACOTAR. From multi-million...
    By Sarah J. Maas
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

General Fiction lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all