Our Man Down in Havana
The Story Behind Graham Greene's Cold War Spy Novel
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Our Man Down in Havana
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Narrated by:
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Gildart Jackson
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By:
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Christopher Hull
About this listen
Exploring the backstory that led to the writing of Graham Greene's beloved satirical spy novel, Our Man Down in Havana evokes this pivotal time and place in the author's life.
When US immigration authorities deported Graham Greene from Puerto Rico in 1954, the British author made an unplanned visit to Havana and discovered that "every vice was permissible and every trade possible" in a Caribbean fleshpot of Mafia-run casinos and nude revues. The former MI6 officer had stumbled upon the ideal setting for a comic espionage story. Three years later, he returned in the midst of Fidel Castro's guerrilla insurgency against a US-backed dictator to begin writing his iconic novel Our Man in Havana. Twelve weeks after its publication, the Cuban Revolution triumphed in January 1959, soon transforming a capitalist playground into a communist stronghold.
Combining biography, history, and politics, Our Man Down in Havana investigates the real story behind Greene's fictional one. This includes his many visits to a pleasure island that became a revolutionary island, turning his chance involvement into a political commitment. His Cuban novel describes an amateur agent who dupes his intelligence chiefs with invented reports about "concrete platforms and unidentifiable pieces of giant machinery". With eerie prescience, Greene's satirical tale had foretold the Cold War's most perilous episode, the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Exploiting a wealth of archival material and interviews with key protagonists, Our Man Down in Havana delves into the story behind and beyond the author's prophetic Cuban tale, focusing on one slice of Greene's manic life: a single novel and its complex history.
A number one Amazon.com best seller in Latin American History.
©2019 Christopher Hull (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Our Man Down in Havana
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pierre Bovington
- 27-08-23
Excellent effort.
The author, unknown to me, has written a superb account of this period of history. I looked up Gildart Jackson, to explore his other works.
Absolute pleasure listening to this. I recommend it to anyone who lived through the Cuban missile crisis!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Corranet
- 12-03-23
Superbly Narrated & Well Researched Ramblings
The deliciously sardonic tones of the Gildart Jackson combined with brilliantly researched material make this a thoroughly entertaining listen for the first 3-4 hours. The problem is that it should have been a 3-4 hour audiobook, and as time progresses it becomes harder and harder to follow the structure or figure out what exactly the dramatic purpose of any of the narrative is. Ir feels like the author was determined to demonstrate just how well researched he is. I can't fault Christopher Hull's writing style, or the intricate level of detail he provides, but the book badly needed an editor. it repeats itself a great deal and rambles on interminably. I've still got 150 minutes to go and I don't know if I can face it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jens Sørensen
- 27-07-22
Great story and narration
A very interesting tale about how Graham Greene came to write his famous book splendidly narrated by Gildart Jackson. I can't recommend it enough.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ghaith
- 12-03-23
Brilliant and highly recommend.
Fascinating story, great historical context, and a brilliant portrait of a very creative but troubled writer. Coupled with an excellent performance.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- A. Charles
- 08-07-23
Right and Rum
Excellently researched, an engaging account of British spy author Graham Greene's time in the Caribbean
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 22-09-22
Very Well Done
Written and narrated in a dry tone that knowingly echoes that of Greene. Engaging, entertaining and informative .
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rupert M
- 06-05-22
Good background reading
I am a fan of Greene and his writing. This book gives a good gallop through his life and loves using Cuba as a centre point. The writing and filming of Our Man in Havana gives the writer a rich source of gossip and colour.
A second reason for listening to this book is the accounts given of the Cuban revolution, Bay of Pigs “invasion” and the Missile Crisis. All of this is put beautifully into context.
I will be honest: I would not have bought this book but chose it because it is “INCLUDED”. But I am glad I picked it.
The reader was no good: wobbly pronunciation of Spanish and French words and (probably worst) nobody from that town in West Hertfordshire calls it “Berk-HAMP-Sted”: the emphasis is on the first syllable. Otherwise, the reader’s tone was flat and pompous.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mr trevor j fry spondoncars
- 12-01-23
Loved this, informative and in the style.
Regarding Rupert M,s description of pompous, he sums himself up nicely. The narration was fine
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 10-05-21
Havana who would have thought.
Read very well by the narrator.
The tale of how Our Man I Havana by Graham Green came about with some personal background thrown it.
I enjoyed the story and a summing up at the end with a more disturbing and telling comparison to the Iraq War.
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3 people found this helpful