The Power and the Glory

By: Graham Greene

Narrated by: Bernard Mayes

Graham Greene explores corruption and atonement in this penetrating novel set in 1930s Mexico during the era of Communist religious persecutions. As revolutionaries determine to stamp out the evils of the church through violence, the last Roman Catholic priest is on the lam, hunted by a police lieutenant. Despite his own sense of worthlessness—he is a heavy drinker and has fathered an illegitimate child—he is determined to continue to function as a priest until captured. He is contrasted with Padre Jose, a priest who has accepted marriage and embodies humiliation.

A Christian parable pitting God and religion against 20th-century materialism, The Power and the Glory is considered by many, including the author himself, to be Greene’s best work.

©1940, 1962, 1968 by Graham Greene (P)1990 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“As brilliantly written as it is magnificently conceived.” (Chicago Sun)

Probably Greene's best book

Although not his best known, this is probably Greene's best, and certainly most powerful, book, depicting the holiness of a priest who does know know he is holy, and in fact believes the opposite is true. Well worth listening to!

An almost religious text

This is a story of faith and human nature. The journey both physical and spiritual of the Priest.

Wonderful story after the first few hours

This story was very intriguing, but it took a long time to get into. It transitions between characters and families without introduction.

Character list:
Whiskey priest: main character but unnamed.

Padre Jose: a cowardly married priest

Fellows Family: Banana farmers who hide the whisky priest.

Half-caste: a homeless guy who is a sort of a Judas type person.

Mr Tench: a dentist with stomach ailments. He befriends the whiskey priest.

Luis and his family: this is a 14 year old boy whose mother is a Christian and reads her children books about martyrdom .

Lehr brother and sister: Lutherans who house and nurse the whiskey priest while he is sick.

The Lieutenant: a kind but anti religious man. He is on the hunt to obliterate priests.

This is pretty much who you need to know. All these people have stories going on at the same time and The author switches between them.

Outstanding!

Amazing story, dripping with humanity, extremely well read. It really draws you in and by the end you’re fully in its grasp.

Wonderful

What made the experience of listening to The Power and the Glory the most enjoyable?

It had been a LONG time since I had read Graham Greene. This book made me glad that I had returned and led me to read or listen to two or three others immediately -- and I will do more.

What did you like best about this story?

The power of the characters as woven into the plot.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not sure I can pick one.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was ready to cry as it finished. We were listening in the car and I turned to my wife and said, 'That is not just fiction. It is too powerful." That led me to read some biographical information on Greene which confirmed that in fact the affair was probably based on one in his own life. Normally on a long car trip I finish one book on tape and start the next one. I could not start another one for a good while after finishing this -- I wanted silence.

Any additional comments?

I try to be positive in general, but for me to give something 5 stars across the board is VERY unusual. Highly recommended.

Great story, old recording

Geniously written, this story talks about the figure of priesthood transcending human weakness and the transformative power of the holy spirit. Based on true historic circumstances, the Cristero persecution in Mexico during the presidency of Elias Calles.

The worst narrator ever

This is the worst narration I have encountered in my many years with Audible. Usually I don't mind even the most idiosyncratic narrators.

May become a all time favorite

At first, the narrator bothered me, but I now see how perfect his voice was for this book. I did knock off one point for the quality of the recording, but it wasn't so bad that it ruined the story for me.

More importantly, this is such a well crafted story, and Green understood better than most how to tell the truth about the Christian life. Powerful, not preachy.

The Power of the Tongue of Fire

Would you consider the audio edition of The Power and the Glory to be better than the print version?

Not better, but different aspects of the story were revealed. More portable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Power and the Glory?

The scene in the crowded jail cell.The cruel ambivalence of the jailer.

What does Bernard Mayes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His dialogue inflections are clarifying.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't just cry, I was haunted by the story for days.

Any additional comments?

This story resembles what I have often observed occurring in real life. It is sad that there are not many such novels. It tells of a wayward man committed to be better than he is by nature, because he is a priest.

Worst ever narrator

When I read reviews on Audible, I usually take the reviews of the narrator with a grain of salt. Sure, a good narrator can make a good book better, but I've never had a book completely ruined by a narrator. Even when the narrators are poor, I've always gotten used to them in the end. Until now.

This has got to be the hardest to understand and get used to narrator I've ever heard on Audible. Give me nasal. Give me screechy. Give me sing-song. But don't give me Bernard Mays.

On the other hand, I read the book long ago, but since at age 67, my eyes don't work as well as in the past, I thought it would be enjoyable to revisit the book through audible. No. I'm returning it, sadly. If I could have given the narrator a "-10," I would have. Stop and starts. Highs and lows. I spent all my effort just trying to understand and failing.