44 pages • 1 hour read
Our Man in Havana
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Book Brief
273
Novel • Fiction
Havana, Cuba • 1950s
1959
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene is a satirical novel about James Wormold, a struggling English vacuum cleaner salesman in Havana, who becomes a British spy to earn extra income. Fabricating reports with imaginary agents and fake intelligence, he inadvertently involves real people, leading to serious consequences as his deceptive web spirals out of control.
Humorous
Mysterious
Dark
Gritty
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
42,885 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana has garnered acclaim for its sharp wit, compelling narrative, and satirical take on espionage. Readers appreciate the humor and memorable characters. However, some feel the plot can be predictable and less thrilling compared to Greene's other works. Overall, it's praised for its unique blend of comedy and intrigue.
Who Should Read Our Man in Havana?
A reader who enjoys Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana likely appreciates satirical takes on espionage, nuanced humor, and Cold War settings. Fans of John le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold or Evelyn Waugh's Scoop will find this novel appealing for its wit and critique of intelligence bureaucracy.
42,885 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Milly
Milly
Wormold’s teenage daughter, known for her devout Catholic faith and mischievous nature, whose demands and beliefs often challenge her father.
Beatrice Severn
Beatrice Severn
Wormold's secretary from the Secret Service who supports him in his espionage activities and becomes an important figure in his life.
Henry Hawthorne
Henry Hawthorne
A recruiter for the British Secret Service who enlists Wormold into the world of espionage.
Dr. Hasselbacher
Dr. Hasselbacher
Wormold’s best friend in Havana, a German-born physician who shares time with him and provides counsel.
Captain Segura
Captain Segura
The chief of police in Havana, known for his fearsome reputation and interest in Milly.
Carter
Carter
A fellow vacuum salesman from a rival company who appears on Wormold’s flight back to Havana and is revealed to have ulterior motives.
273
Novel • Fiction
Havana, Cuba • 1950s
1959
Adult
18+ years
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