From School Library Journal

YA-- This collection of 12 stories spans 66 years of creativity by this prolific writer who passed away in April, 1991. Its publication is not without a certain irony because unless unpublished works are yet to appear in print, it may indeed be Greene's "last word." It begins with a brief preface in which the author explains the reason for the inclusion of these particular stories. "A Branch of the Service" is published here for the first time. Several of the other selections appeared years ago in various literary magazines. All in some way bare the human soul. Characteristic themes of Greene's other works prevail--isolation, misunderstood love, spiritual hunger, and a certain painful ennui. There is one tongue-in-cheek piece titled "The Man Who Stole the Eiffel Tower." --Cynthia J. Rieben, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This modest volume gathers uncollected stories from the entire range of Greene's career. The earliest dates from 1923 (!) and the latest from 1989. One of the best, "A Branch of the Service," concerning a spy unequal to the gastronomical rigors of shadowing suspects over dinner, has never been printed before. The other standout is the title story, in which an old man with amnesia learns on the day of his death that he is not only the last Christian but the last Pope as well. The rest of these dozen stories display Greene's characteristic mixture of farce and melancholy ("Grim Grin" is a common pun on his name) but will add little to his considerable reputation. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/90.

- Grove Koger, Boise P.L., Id.

Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Henry Graham Greene OM, CH (October 2, 1904 – April 3, 1991) was an English novelist, short story writer, playwright, screenwriter, travel writer and critic whose works explore the ambivalent moral and political issues of the modern world. Greene combined serious literary acclaim with wide popularity.

Although Greene objected strongly to being described as a Catholic novelist rather than as a novelist who happened to be Catholic, Catholic religious themes are at the root of much of his writing, especially the four major Catholic novels: Brighton Rock, The Heart of the Matter, The End of the Affair, and The Power and the Glory. Works such as The Quiet American, Our Man in Havana and The Human Factor also show an avid interest in the workings of international politics and espionage.