Graham Greene has long been on my literary bucket list, so when Kristin announced The Power and the Glory as the February book club selection, I was all over it. (Even though I missed the discussion to due bad road conditions.) I had not previously read anything by Greene, and after this, I'm not sure I should again. Not because it was bad--far from it. It was so good that I wonder if anything else could live up to it. Anyone read this and any other books by Greene and is willing to comment?
This is a short book, but not a quick read. The main character is one of the only remaining priests in a southern Mexican state; the others have been kicked out, executed, or in one poor priest's situation, forced to marry a woman. The last priest is trying to escape with the law determined to find him and end his life.
But he's far from a perfect priest. He's all too human, a "whisky priest", with a list of sins a mile long. His journey, both physical and spiritual, make up the bulk of the book, and it's powerful indeed. This is not the road to sainthood or martyrdom, but a very human, despairing seeking out of life. A crucifixion tale? Yes, maybe.
It's interesting to read this book, published in 1940, and view it through the Catholic Church today (FYI, I'm not Catholic, so I'm an amateur commenter at best here). The flaws of the Church are getting a great deal of publicity now (including in my community, in which a priest who abused young boys for years ended up getting a pension and disability from the Church, as well as support for a second career, while the boys he abused were referred to public social workers). But the arrival of Pope Francis, who is hugely interesting, gives me pause. I don't want to give spoilers, but this book and the current church scene seem to fit together very well.
And gorgeous, wonderful writing:
"Common sense was a horrifying quality she had never possessed: it was common sense which said, 'The dead can't hear' or 'She can't know now' or 'Tin flowers are more practical.'"
"Happiness drained out of him more quickly and completely than out of an unhappy man: an unhappy man is always prepared."
"All around was the gentle noise of the dripping water. It was nearly like peace, but not quite. For peace you needed human company--his aloneness was like a threat of things to come."
Well worth the read, and so glad I had the opportunity.