From the Lists: #40 The Heart of the Matter

I am quite a fan of Graham Greene. His prose is direct and concise. His characters are easily identified as people we all know. Their problems are often our problems, or the problems experienced by our family and friends.

The Heart of the Matter (1948), set in pre-war British West Indies, introduces an excruciatingly honest policeman, Scobie, whose average boring life could only be made better if it were to become slightly more boring. He is so honest, in fact, that he is suspected of being a master deceiver.

Of course this ideal existence cannot last. Great literature after all, rarely focuses on happy, wealthy, or contented characters.  Once Scobie takes his first baby steps into deceit, the slippery slope opens before him. Suddenly his formerly secure career, relationships, friendships, and immortal soul are in danger. In the end, Scobie despairs in his inability to reconcile his perceived sins with his deep-seated religious faith.


The lesson to be learned from this work can be summed up by the following rhyme attributed to Sir Walter Scott:  "Oh what a tangled web we weave / When first we practice to deceive."

I found this a quick and fun read. It is easy to see why it sold over 300,000 copies upon its release. I give it two thumbs up!