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  • The Power and the Glory

  • By: Graham Greene
  • Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
  • Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (449 ratings)
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The Power and the Glory

By: Graham Greene
Narrated by: Andrew Sachs
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Summary

In a poor Mexican state in the 1930s, the Red Shirts have viciously persecuted the clergy and murdered many priests. Yet one remains - the ‘whisky priest’ who believes he's lost his soul. On the run and with the police closing in, his routes of escape are being shut off, his chances getting fewer. But compassion and humanity force him along the road to his destiny…

Andrew Sachs reads Graham Greene’s powerful novel about a worldly Roman Catholic priest and his quest for penitence and dignity.

©1940 Graham Greene (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Power and the Glory

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

No small entertainment

They say this isn't Greene's most memorable one, but Andrew Sachs most assuredly makes it so for me. Greene was very fond of this work and credited it more highly than his spy thrillers (which he named "entertainments). This novel aims to ponder deeply on what it is to be a man of the cloth, or even just a man with a faith (the Catholic one, in this case). How strong does it really make you if you aren't courageous from the start?

An absolute must read if you are going to work your entire way through Greene. So far only the Stamboul Train flopped totally for me (way too outdated), but the others so far, be they full of consuls, spies, or aunts and lovers, all go towards this novelist's central quest for spiritual meaning to life and that this might rhyme with love and personal consolation.

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38 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Showing its age.

I love Graham Greene and I studied this one for my "O" Levels (that shows how long ago), I thought I would revisit the book. I have to say I was disappointed, the themes of communism, catholicism, martyrdom and redemption all seemed very dated and out of their time. The racist overtones around the "half-caste" (sic) character also cannot fail to grate. I don't remember even discussing that aspect back in the seventies. It is a deeply depressing book with very little of the humour and lightness of touch that characterises much of Greene's work.
Of course much of the writing is fantastically evocative of a hot climate and hard times; in fact I read a lot of it whilst visiting Cuba. I had a much better time than the Whisky Priest I am pleased to say; this is not holiday reading.
One massive point in its favour is Andrew Sachs masterful performance but even this could not make it anything other than a difficult and depressing experience. I suppose not all literature can be enjoyable but the dated nature of the themes make the journey a long hard climb to nowhere much on the back of a difficult mule.

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20 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful Book, Beautifully Read

This remains one of the most moving books I have ever read, and the narration here is perfect.

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12 people found this helpful

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Mesmerising and utterly captivating

This book had me in thrall. I just loved it, and the narration was superb. The introspection and slow unfolding of both the inner turmoil and outer experiences of this sad whisky priest mesmerised me completely. Graham Greene is a really great writer, and the professional way it is read by Andrew Sachs is unbeatable.

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9 people found this helpful

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Mexico at its worst

This was a complete different read for me and was not expecting much but I loved it
The story became so real and when Andrew Sachs the narrator told this with different accents it was as if I was there.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking

I did this book at school and it remained with me in the back of my mind. The complexity of the main character was sore on my head, as it twists and turns depending on when you look. Well narrated

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A great listen

A great story brilliantly read by Andrew Sachs - it is difficult to overstate the importance of the reader and his (or her) ability to convey the different characters.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Narration gives great depth to the characters

What did you like most about The Power and the Glory?

That I'm sure a re-listening to the book will yield further.

Any additional comments?

Andrew Sachs: first class. Gave an extra sinister dimension to the character of the Mestizo – not a trace of Manuel there.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Engaging and fabulously read

the story has a slow pace and describes an important time in the history of Mexico through the journey of a priest. Fantastically well read which brings it alive as sometimes the pace is too slow.

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3 people found this helpful

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Wonderful narration of. a Classic

I think Andrew Sachs portrays the different characters in such an interesting way. It brought this book, which I have read before, to life in a way I didn't get on reading. Graham Greene is a writer whose books stand up to many rereadings, especially this one. Highly recommended for all ages

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3 people found this helpful