The Lost Childhood and Other Essays

In almost all of the twenty-three brief studies in "The Lost Childhood," whether it is criticism of a specific novel, such as "The Woman Who Was Poor" of Leon Bloy, or a character sketch such as the one on the sculptor Eric Gill, Greene is primarily concerned, in his role of critic, with discovering what he calls the "obsession" of his author -- the one theme -- and with illuminating the show more entire work by an analysis of the obsession. He sees every creative writer who has made any real achievement, as a victim, as a man victimized by an obsession. This is a difficult formula for a critic to follow but which, in the case of Graham Greene, is particularly rewarding. show less

The Lost Childhood and Other Essays is a collection of 46 essays, a few of which I had read elsewhere - such as The Lost Childhood with its account of Graham Greene's suddenly awakened interest in writing at the age of 14, an interest induced by reading Marjorie Bowen's The Viper of Milan. And The Revolver in the Corner Cupboard, with its confusingly (mis)stated odds of survival, in which he show more tells a terrible tale of his efforts to escape boredom during his late teens by playing at Russian roulette with his brother's revolver. Continued show less