Two (modern) classics were next on my #NovNov list – Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote and The End of the Affair by Graham Greene.
I’m a George Costanza when it comes to Breakfast at Tiffany’s – meaning that until now, I’d seen the movie but not read the novella. That’s remedied. Why did I wait so long?! I enjoyed the story immensely.
Through a handful of characters – Holly Golightly obviously gets top billing – Capote captures 1940s New York – its style, its seediness and where it’s never too early or too late for a martini. This is such a ‘visual’ story – do you know what I mean? Capote’s neat descriptions jump of the page – the disarray in Holly’s apartment, the disgruntled neighbour who is tired of Holly forgetting her key, the bartender taking phone messages. There’s nothing overdone and yet each scene is rich in detail. A truly satisfying read.
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene was a reread for me, but it was decades ago, so I had forgotten much of it. The plot is straightforward, focused on an affair between a single man, Bendrix, and a married woman, Sarah. The genius is in the plot twists, which all hinge on the seemingly innocuous – the interpretation of words or split-second timing – which later are revealed to be crucial.
Thirty years on from my first reading of this story, I was struck by how little the writing has aged. Yes, there’s enough detail to firmly place the story in wartime London, but in terms of dialogue and the motivation of the characters, it could just as well be set today (although I suspect that mobile phones have somewhat altered the conduct of affairs!). What I had forgotten was how much religion is referred to, particularly in the second half of the story, and how sad and lonely the main characters are.