Our Man in Havana
Graham Greene · 1904–1991 · England
Why it matters
A hapless vacuum-cleaner salesman in pre-revolutionary Havana invents nonexistent agents and military installations to satisfy British intelligence, then watches his fictions start turning real. Greene's sharpest comic 'entertainment', spying reimagined as absurdist farce.
At a glance
satirecrime & noir
Difficulty 4/10fast pace220 pagesA light comic tone and fast plotting make this one of Greene's easiest entry points.
Where to go next
Graham Greene · 1938Brighton RockLvl 5Fast paced
Graham Greene · 1940The Power and the GloryLvl 5Medium pace
Graham Greene · 1950The Third ManLvl 3Fast paced
Graham Greene · 1951The End of the AffairLvl 5Medium pace
Graham Greene · 1955The Quiet AmericanLvl 5Medium pace
Joseph Conrad · 1899Heart of DarknessLvl 7Slow burn