About the book
Graham Greene's classic exploration of love, innocence, and morality in Vietnam
\"I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused,\" Graham Greene's narrator Fowler remarks of Alden Pyle, the eponymous \"Quiet American\" of what is perhaps the most controversial novel of his career. Pyle is the brash young idealist sent out by Washington on a mysterious mission to Saigon, where the French Army struggles against the Vietminh guerrillas.
As young Pyle's well-intentioned policies blunder into bloodshed, Fowler, a seasoned and cynical British reporter, finds it impossible to stand safely aside as an observer. But Fowler's motives for intervening are suspect, both to the police and himself, for Pyle has stolen Fowler's beautiful Vietnamese mistress.
Originally published in 1956 and twice adapted to film, The Quiet American remains a terrifiying and prescient portrait of innocence at large. This Graham Greene Centennial Edition includes a new introductory essay by Robert Stone.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Editions of The Quiet American
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780670585526
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780140185003
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780142001387
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780143039020
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780140243505
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780140017922
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780670000197
Read an Excerpt
Graham Greene's classic exploration of love, innocence, and morality in Vietnam
\"I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused,\" Graham Greene's narrator Fowler remarks of Alden Pyle, the eponymous \"Quiet American\" of what is perhaps the most controversial novel of his career. Pyle is the brash young idealist sent out by Washington on a mysterious mission to Saigon, where the French Army struggles against the Vietminh guerrillas.
As young Pyle's well-intentioned policies blunder into bloodshed, Fowler, a seasoned and cynical British reporter, finds it impossible to stand safely aside as an observer. But Fowler's motives for intervening are suspect, both to the police and himself, for Pyle has stolen Fowler's beautiful Vietnamese mistress.
Originally published in 1956 and twice adapted to film, The Quiet American remains a terrifiying and prescient portrait of innocence at large. This Graham Greene Centennial Edition includes a new introductory essay by Robert Stone.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Quiet American about?
Graham Greene's classic exploration of love, innocence, and morality in Vietnam
\"I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused,\" Graham Greene's narrator Fowler remarks of Alden Pyle, the eponymous \"Quiet American\" of what is perhaps the most controversial novel of his career. Pyle is the brash young idealist sent out by Washington on a mysterious mission to Saigon, where the French Army struggles against the Vietminh guerrillas.
As young Pyle's well-intentioned policies blunder into bloodshed, Fowler, a seasoned and cynical British reporter, finds it impossible to stand safely aside as an observer. But Fowler's motives for intervening are suspect, both to the police and himself, for Pyle has stolen Fowler's beautiful Vietnamese mistress.
Originally published in 1956 and twice adapted to film, The Quiet American remains a terrifiying and prescient portrait of innocence at large. This Graham Greene Centennial Edition includes a new introductory essay by Robert Stone.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Quiet American?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Classic fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of The Quiet American?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780670585526
Is The Quiet American part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Quiet American?
Graham Greene
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Quiet American is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780670585526) and paperback(ISBN 9780140185003) and paperback(ISBN 9780142001387) and paperback(ISBN 9780143039020) and paperback(ISBN 9780140243505) and paperback(ISBN 9780140017922) and paperback(ISBN 9780670000197)
Where can I buy The Quiet American online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Quiet American from below
Where can I buy The Quiet American?