Graham Greene is probably my favorite author. True to form, Travels with My Aunt is rich with dry, intelligent humor (sometimes not so dry), and subtle sharp wit.

It's an unusual piece compared to prior Greene that I've read - even a bit of a farce. A retired English banker becomes entwined in the world of his very worldly aunt (or is she actually his aunt?). As implied, there is travel . . . from the Orient Express to the jungles of Paraguay. Lot's of characters, maybe too many for my tastes. I was lost occasionally.

Unfortunately, for me it was NOT one fo those can't-put-it-down, can't-wait-to-get-back-to-it novels. Extremely well written, but not really a great story. Perhaps there was no clear "antagonist".

A decent piece, but not representative of what made Graham Greene one of the great 20th century novelists.

This is the first book by Graham Greene that I read, largely because my local library did not have "The Power and the Glory."

I immediately felt that I had met a kindred spirit in Grahame: someone who is not only interested in the details of life, but likes to stop every now and then and philosophize a bit, using individual events and characters in order to consider more far-reaching ideas. Hence there were many memorable passages and sentences during which I paused for a moment to let the words sink in. I love that kind of reading.

As far as the story goes, however, I have a feeling that this is not Graham Greene's best novel. Even though I haven't read any of his other works yet, you can see so much more potential gleaming in the book. Like gems into a rusty setting.

The main characters, a banker, is just another brick in the wall of society, and fairly content to be so - until his extravagant aunt comes along and introduces him to a life of travel, strange stories, illegal substances, and shady businesses. Not all of those things came across as completely believable, however, and the story loses momentum significantly in the middle part of the book.

Still, for those individual passages - those gems of insight and fresh perspectives - it was a worthwhile read. Like I said, I will definitely read more of Greene.

Jacob Schriftman, Author of The Crack Beneath the Worlds

Another well-written novel by Graham Greene, "Travels With My Aunt" is a complete entertainment. "Travels" is Greene's less well-known novel. When discussing Graham Greene one thinks of "The Power and the Glory", "The End of the Affair", "The Heart of the Matter", and the unforgettable "The Quiet American." But if one's seeking absolute entertainment this is it. If you liked "Monsignor Quixote" you would love this book. Henry Pulling, a bachelor in his mid-50s and a former bank manager, is enjoying his quiet retirement when he unexpectedly meets his aunt at his mother's funeral. He's vaguely familiar with her, but her entrance shakes things in his ambitionless life. Henry's a reserved, saintly man who always holds others in good opinion. He even regards his parents with affection whose was a loveless marriage. In his spare time he tends to dahlias in his garden and corresponds with the daughter of a former bank client to whom, owing to his timidity, he failed to express his love. When his aunt suggests they take a trip to get to know one another he doesn't see what it would entail. As he travels with her to different parts of Europe, along with meeting pot smokers, shady businessmen and a CIA spy, he gets to have some fun as well.

Rambling, very English old-world comedy of manners and mismatched relations. Henry Pulling renews a long-neglected acquaintance with his aunt at his mother's funeral, whereupon Aunt Augusta informs Henry that her sister was really his step-mother, introduces him to her black live-in lover who in turn introduces Henry to pot. Before long, Aunt takes Henry in tow in a whirlwind tour of the world and her world.

Fun, poignant at times, but too slight to be a classic. Also shows its age with dated drug and sex references that may have represented a coming-out in 1969, but just seem stilted and silly now.

The movie creates a reason for the relationship, and adds some elements of drama. The book is pretty lame.