Graham Greene is yet another prominent twentieth century novelist that I have been aware of but had not read. Brighton Rock is his 1938 novel about seaside thugs and their struggle for power over Brighton and its horse track.
Pinkie is a seventeen year old whose world stretches no further than the beachfront and horse track in Brighton. He has inherited control of a gang after its leader was killed. Despite his young age, Pinkie's ruthlessness and quick mind make him a natural for succession. The far wealthier Mr. Colleoni has his own ideas on who should handle the action in Brighton, and a struggle for control ensues. Against all this is Pinkie's relationship with Rose, a naive waitress who has information that might link Pinkie and his gang to a murder. Unfortunately for Rose, she has no idea what the information really means and is 'romanced' by Pinkie who has aims at marrying her simply so she cannot be forced to testify against him.
The real interest in this novel for me was the character of Pinkie, who must have been relatively unique for his time. Like Tom Ripley, here we have a central character who is pure evil. Pinkie's abhorrence of carnality and twisted puritanism make him an interesting example of 'Catholicism gone wrong'. He and Rose's actions grow out of a belief that once they have committed mortal sin, all is lost- so what's the point in redemption? This novel is really a meditation on Catholicism and the many ways its adherents can interpret what it all really stands for.
A good novel, but it never particularly engaged me as a story. More interesting was the subtext. Brighton Rock was also made into a film starring Richard Attenborough.
3 comments:
Wow! You've found 2 of my favorite novelists, Greene and Chandler!
I LOVE Greene, but I don't love this novel. The Quiet American, The Power and the Glory, The Heart of the Matter, all fantastic.
I caught the film version of this a while back. I only knew Attenborough from Jurassic Park, so it was wild seeing him as a baby-faced youngster.
By the way, when you see a Greene book labeled "an entertainment," it's a tip-off that he didn't think it worthy of being called a novel. He was amazingly prolific, and could churn out novels the way Elvis Costello can churn out pop songs.
I just picked up 'The Quiet American' and will read it in a week or so. I have seen the film with Brando, which I enjoyed very much.
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