THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

Graham Greene received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1967.  Greene was born in 1901 in the U.K.   Graham Greene wrote many novels, some of a religious nature, and some, thrillers.  His novels were based on moral or political issues.  In the short, profound novel, “The Tenth Man”, explores the depths of human nature.  The author died in Switzerland in 1991.

 

French citizens, imprisoned during the German occupation, are given the choice of which three of their fellow prisoners will die, in retaliation for a Resistance attack on German soldiers.

The French prisoners choose the draw of marked papers to determine their fate.  When Louis Chavel, a wealthy lawyer, draws one of the three, fated marked papers, he despairs and offers his home, his money and all his assets to any who would die in his place.  Michel Janvier, a poor, Parisian clerk, agrees to his offer.

 

Chavel survives the war and is released from prison, destitute.  Chavel searches for a job in Paris but can find no work.

Eventually, he makes his way to his estate home, outside the village of St. John de Brinac.  At first he believes the property vacant but quickly learns his home is occupied.  Therese opens the door to meet Jean-Louis Charlot (Chavel).  Charlot claims to have known her brother in prison.  Therese offers Charlot a meal, then offers him a job stating the upkeep of the house and gardens are difficult for her and her mother who live there alone.

 

Charlot, happy to be home, struggles with his conscious as the lovely Therese makes it clear how much she despises Chavel.  Charlot soon falls in love with Therese, who is half his age.

Not long after, Carosse, an actor and swindler, makes his way to the estate, having heard the story of Chavel and Janvier, from the mayor of a small town who shared time in the prison with Chavel and Janvier.

Carosse pretends to be Chavel and begs forgiveness of Therese, with the sweet offerings of stories of her brother.  Therese, at first, despises Carosse, however, she comes to wonder if she should not forgive him.

Carosse soon reveals to Charlot that he plans to marry Theresa.   Charlot, unable to witness Carosse take advantage of Therese, enacts a plan to rid him of their lives.

 

Comments:

An extraordinary commentary on human character.

 

Note:

Graham Greene began the novel, “The Tenth Man” in the 1940’s but set it aside.  Decades later, Graham revised the book, after the rights to the work was bought by Anthony Blond.