Skip to content

The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books edition) Paperback - 1999

by Greene, Graham

About this book

Graham Greene’s The Heart of the Matter, set in an unnamed West African colony towards the end of World War II, is loosely based on the author’s own experience as a British intelligence officer in Sierra Leone. The novel’s protagonist, Henry Scobie, struggles to make his miserable wife happy. In the process, Scobie begins to wonder if any individual can truly make another happy, resulting in a life-changing moral crisis.

The Heart of the Matter, an insightful exploration of pity, suffering, religion, and responsibility, quickly became extremely popular, having sold more than 300,000 copies upon publication. The novel was critically acclaimed and received many favorable reviews. In 1948, The Heart of the Matter was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction and it was shortlisted for the Best of the James Tait Black awardees in 2012. The novel is ranked 40th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and is also listed on TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).

From the publisher

Scobie is an officer in a war-torn West African state. When he is passed over for a promotion, he borrows money to send his wife away on holiday. In her absence, he falls in love with Helen, a young widow, and his life is transformed. With an inability to distinguish between love, pity and responsibility, Scobie moves towards his final damnation...

First Edition Identification

William Heinemann first published The Heart of the Matter in London in 1948. Bound in dark blue cloth, the 297-page first edition states “First Published 1948” on the copyright page with no additional printings listed. The original dust jack is red with darkened corners and white text. 

Details

  • Title The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books edition)
  • Author Greene, Graham
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition large type editi
  • Pages 242
  • Language EN
  • Publisher Penguin Books, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date 1999-10-01
  • ISBN 9780140283327

About the author

Graham Greene (1904-1991) was a prolific novelist, short story writer, travel writer and children's book writer. Many of his novels and short stories have been successfully adapted to the movie screen, including The Third Man (directed by Orson Welles), The End of The Affair, and The Quiet American
Back to Top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
The Heart Of The Matter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Heart Of The Matter

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Later Printing
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Vashon Island Books
Vashon, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$6.26
NZ$8.51 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.: Penguin Classics, 1999. Later Printing. Paperback. Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.
Item Price
NZ$6.26
NZ$8.51 shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.75
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$9.75
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.08
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$11.08
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.34
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$11.34
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
Condition
Used - Like New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.34
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Like New. Used book that is in almost brand-new condition.
Item Price
NZ$11.34
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books Edition)

The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books Edition)

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
4
Seller
ThriftBooks
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.40
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 1999. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.40
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1999. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
2
Seller
ThriftBooks
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1999. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
5
Seller
ThriftBooks
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 1999. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA
The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books Edition)

The Heart of the Matter: (Great Books Edition)

by Greene, Graham

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780140283327 / 0140283323
Quantity Available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 1999. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.46
FREE shipping to USA
Show all copies
Back to Top↑

Hang on… we’re fetching the requested page.