My first Graham Greene novel was The End of the Affair and it rocked my world, and affected me in some profound ways. It was the perfect novel for me at the time, and I am forever indebted to Mr. Greene for giving me that enlightening experience.Going into this, I knew better than to expect the same magnitude of visceral reaction that I had with The End of the Affair, but nonetheless, because the connection I had with the aforementioned was so strong, I couldn't help but have decently high expectations.So, were my expectations met? You're thinking, "Three stars, of course not." And of course you're right in a sense. But you're also wrong, because I'm not the least bit disappointed in the writing; it's amazing. In our discussion group, Megha brought up the point that she couldn't imagine someone giving this book less than three stars because of the writing. I couldn't agree more. And as goodreaders constantly prove that the world isn't full of idiots after all, I found that only 4% of those having rated this gave it 2 stars, and a rounded-down 0% gave it 1 star. That makes sense. The story's nuances, the human complexities of the protagonist Whisky Priest, and the novel's complex questions of morality should satisfy most of the intellectually hungry. On a cerebral level, this novel does not disappoint. While The End of the Affair is an existential kick in the nuts, this is an ongoing observation; a thought process with rewards for the careful reader. The setting of scorching hot, desolate Mexico is descriptive and engrossing, and the storyline is complex enough and sensitive enough to the human condition, to rightly be considered as a possible masterpiece. Yet, as is often the case with fiction, whether something speaks to your gut or not, may come down to a string of subjective and perhaps only loosely definable reasons; some (or even all) of which, you don't fully comprehend. And, for whatever reason(s), this novel didn't speak to me. While I appreciated the nuances and very-human elements involved with the Whisky Priest, I just couldn't get myself to feel for his plight.So, how could I identify more with a self obsessive, hardened hater such as Maurice Bendrix from The End of the Affair, than a well-meaning, soft hearted, guilt-feeling, conscience-carrying priest? Subjective, personal, psychological reasons, I assume. One off the top of my head is that my struggles of faith are more similar to the struggles that Maurice and Sarah had, than those had by this here, protagonist. I don't recall the Whisky Priest ever questioning the existence of God; most of his struggles were in the context of doctrine, or with forgiveness and grace, instead. I relate more to the back and fourth between belief and unbelief; the constant questioning of faith that took place in The End of the Affair.If I have one important, reasoned qualm with this book, it's this: Beyond the Whisky Priest, few characters are developed enough. It's rare that I say a book is too short, but I think I would have gotten more out of this had Greene developed the other main characters with the thorough, insightful precision I know he's capable of. Nonetheless, this is a well-written novel that should result in your appreciation, even if it doesn't speak to you.
The Mexican Constitution of 1917, that should ring some bells about other events in 1917, was an extreme document aimed in part to rid Mexico of the Roman Catholic Church. Mexican Constitution of 1917 contained further anti-clerical provisions. Article 3 called for secular education in the schools and prohibited the Church from engaging in primary education; Article 5 outlawed monastic orders; Article 24 forbade public worship outside the confines of churches; and Article 27 placed restrictions on the right of religious organizations to hold property. Most obnoxious to Catholics was Article 130, which deprived clergy members of basic political rights. Many of these laws were resisted, leading to the Cristero Rebellion of 1927 - 1929. The suppression of the Church included the closing of many churches and the killing and forced marriage of priests. The persecution was most severe in Tabasco under the strident atheist governor Tomás Garrido Canabal.The effects of the war on the Church were profound. Between 1926 and 1934 at least 40 priests were killed. Where there were 4,500 priests serving the people before the rebellion, in 1934 there were only 334 priests licensed by the government to serve fifteen million people, the rest having been eliminated by emigration, expulsion and assassination. It appears that ten states were left without any priests.WikipediaI believe that a book cannot be taken outside of the historical context that prompted the author to write. Graham Greene was a Roman Catholic, and the following images should help us understand what Greene was reacting against, and provide a bit of pity for both Fr. Jose, and the Whiskey Priest. All of that said,I did enjoy the book, although it was a sad slog through a sad period of history. The Whiskey Priest developed to the extent that not only was he a real literary character, he became a real Christian in the process. What the seminary had taught him, what his life had been like when he was pampered, "with soft hands," and the process of running for years...even though he was the father of a child, had turned him from a mere puppet of a rather rigid church to a real priest of the Christian faith.Doubt is all part of faith, and the journey of faith. The Whiskey Priest had all kinds of doubt, but why did he keep that suitcase with him if it were not for a single reason: to say Mass whenever he could. All the practices of piety fell by the wayside, all the worries of fast and feast fell as well, as he concentrated upon a single thing, to continue to provide, even in his damaged, or at least as he saw it damaged, state, the sacraments of the faith. Look at how long he had to hear confessions, how many baptisms he had to do. That is why he stayed.Anti-clericalism is as stupid as the clericalism that brings it about. Remember, only thirty years later Pope John XXIII would call the II Vatican Council, and nothing would ever be the same again. It is obvious that Whiskey Priest is the main character in the book. Greene didn't develop his other characters as much because, I believe, he wanted to create that sense of disconnectedness that Whiskey Priest lived with day to day.
What do You think about The Power And The Glory (2003)?
The “whisky priest” is on the run from the law from the law in Mexico. Set in period in Mexico’s history where priests where being shot and the Catholic Church was illegal, this book plays like the New Testament mixed with an existential western. Grim and suspenseful, stocked with cinematic imagery in a gothic and decaying Mexico, this book is masterpiece from the first page on. While my personal beliefs are nearer to the nihilistic lieutenant (kind of a Miltonic devil type character) chasing the priest, I think the ‘whisky priest” is one of literature’s great character. He is flawed and human but dedicated to and personifies his beliefs despite the suicidal risk he is taking. That member of the please-all McSweeney’s generation Rick Moody snarkily dismissed this book as “being too Catholic”. Well, Greene weaves his beliefs more openly into his work than say Flannery O’Conner or T.S. Eliot (early, not that “Four Quartets stuff), people of any or no belief should find this an emotionally and intellectually involving book. This is not a didactic Catholic apology but a troublesome piece of art.
—Adam
Greene's views are certainly there. As a convert, he may have been more defensive than someone outside the faith taking a critical view, and may be why he is earnest, at least.I'm Orthodox, so I don't find Dostoyevsky as William does. Orthodox piety can be overly sentimental, especially in traditionally Orthodox nations like Russia, but there is a theological richness there in the background that may not be evident to the non-Orthodox. But like Williams says, it all comes down to our individual response to whatever work of art we're contemplating.
—matt
The Power and the Glory, Graham Greene’s 1940 novel about the Mexican state of Tabasco’s virulent anti-church campaign in the 1930s is a powerful statement about courage, duty and the persistence of faith.Greene describes the flight of the “whiskey priest” a never named survivor in the state’s operation to rid all vestiges of Catholic faith, even to the point of arresting priests, finding them guilty of treason and executing them against a wall with firing squads. Some priests were given the opportunity to renounce their faith, to marry and to forgo their earlier duties.Greene’s protagonist is a mixed bag of guilt, dogmatic devotion to duty (albeit a deeply conflicted one and in whose service he is often reluctant) and, finally, saintly mettle. During the priest's evasion from the police, Greene introduces his readers to an unsavory assortment of characters who further illustrate the signs of the times; from the over zealous and idealistic Socialist Lieutenant who chases him to the various citizens with diverse reactions to his plight and to their own faith.Told with warmth, humor and an endearing faith in humanity to do what is right in spite of the difficulties, Greene demonstrates his mastery of the language and his ability to create a work of lasting importance.
—Lyn
