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Our man in Havana
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
Graham Greenes classic Cuban spy story, now with a new package and a new introduction First published in 1959, Our Man in Havanais an espionage thriller, a penetrating character study, and a political satire that still resonates today. Conceived as one of Graham Greenes entertainments, it tells of MI6s man in Havana, Wormold, a former vacuum-cleaner salesman turned reluctant secret agent out of economic necessity. To keep his job, he files bogus reports based on Lambs Tales from Shakespeareand dreams up military installations from vacuum-cleaner designs. Then his stories start coming disturbingly true.
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review
Schwifty
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

Greene would have referred to this as one of his amusements and not a novel with serious themes or questions to be grappled with, yet he infused this story about a vacuum cleaner salesman fabricating intelligence reports for Britain‘s foreign service with the predictable Catholic and expat spy intrigue. The absurdity lies in London‘s credulity and the counter plot to remove him by the other faction. A comedy surely with a sprinkle of drama.

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Schwifty
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Benicàssim, Spain-
I thought about going out on the promenade tonight, but then remembered I had this cava I bought from a vineyard in Requena. So this seemed like an opportunity.

“You are interested in a person, not in life, and people die or leave us…But if you are interested in life it never lets you down.”

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Blueberry
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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SayersLover I thought this one was hilarious! Greene does satire really well and this is one of my favorites. @Blueberry 12mo
Eggs 💛🌴 💚 12mo
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
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gebbxl
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
Panpan

A book about a Cuban spy that isn‘t interesting nor suspenseful. The satire is merely confusing and boring byeeeee

marixana okay…. 11mo
1 like1 comment
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TheEllieMo
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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Sapphire
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I am a tiny bit lay for April‘s #foodandlit #cuba but we enjoyed this Cuban dish. You all read some interesting titles! This was a good pick for me off my ancient TBR. https://www.thecandidappetite.com/cuban-potato-balls-papas-rellenas/ was easier than I thought. Now on to Afghanistan! #foodandlit2022

Catsandbooks Yum! Looks so good! 2y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Sapphire
Pickpick

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I listened on audible. I had purchased it some years ago, probably to explore Graham Greene. The kitsch music interludes were funny but they did make me dance in place. I laughed a lot. I thought about my government job a lot. I would compare it to the more modern Cohen brothers film, burn after reading. A picture of pre-castro #Cuba. #foodandlit #foodandlit2022

Texreader Glad you liked it. Graham Green sort of scares me. 2y
Sapphire This title was approachable. I don‘t know about his other stuff. I found this quite funny, but then again, government worker here 2y
28 likes2 comments
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Morr_Books
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Hope April provides some more good reads!

34 likes1 comment
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Morr_Books
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

Three days into the #MarvellousMarch #Readathon and I've read about 7 hours. I managed to finish the tagged book, which was fantastic, for a book club tomorrow. This book was filled with fun characters and so much humor. Who doesn't like espionage satire?! I'm currently in the middle of five other books too, so hopefully I'll finish more by the end of the week.
@andrew65

Andrew65 Doing great 👏👏👏 2y
33 likes1 comment
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Morr_Books
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Starting the #MarvellousMarch #Readathon with the DC Classics bookclub read and a hot cup of coffee for the surprisingly cold morning. I don't think March is supposed to feel this way in Texas.
@Andrew65

Librariana I don't think it is either! I hail from El Paso (now in the PNW), and my sister shared they got snow yesterday! 😳 2y
Nute That‘s a cool name for a bookstore.🙂 2y
Andrew65 Great to have you with us, good luck 😊👍 2y
53 likes3 comments
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Morr_Books
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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I will have a busy week next week, but I still want to keep up with all my reading commitments. I am trying to read at least 60 pages a day, so my goals are below:

📚Finish 3 books (including the tagged bookclub book)
📚Read at least 20 hours

#MarvelousMarch #Readathon
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Good luck 😊👍 Great to have you with us. 2y
35 likes1 comment
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MuteSwan
Pickpick

Funny, entertaining and beautifully written. Highlights the absurd side of espionage.

(Be prepared for a little cringe-worthy racism and sexism, of it's time.)

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The_Penniless_Author
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

There are few better subjects for absurdist satire than espionage generally, and the Cold War in particular. There's something inherently silly about spies - sneaking about, leaving coded messages, etc. - that resembles children at play. I love the idea of phony intelligence reports that end up becoming true through the sheer might of collective paranoia, like a child's imaginary friend come to life to wreak havoc on the populace.

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Centique
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

This was my 12th classic read of the year (for the challenge I set myself) and one of the most enjoyable. It‘s a satirical look at Cold War spying with the protagonist, Wormold, an ex-pat Brit selling vacuum cleaners in Cuba. It gave me some Catch 22 feels - but it‘s slower and simpler. There are a couple of racist epithets in here - its published in 1958 and set post WW2. ⬇️

Centique While the satire is humorous Greene also highlights how the bureaucracy of Cold War relations had real and tragic consequences. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 3y
CarolynM This was the book that made me a Graham Greene fan. Glad you enjoyed it too. 3y
Gezemice I have read a couple from Greene and really liked him. I was just thinking of reading this one so glad to hear you liked it! 3y
See All 22 Comments
Centique @CarolynM this was my first Greene too! What others would you recommend? 3y
Centique @Gezemice I hope you like it too 😊 is there another one of his you‘d recommend for me? 3y
CarolynM I loved The Quiet American and enjoyed Travels With My Aunt and Stamboul Train. The next one I want read is The Honorary Consul. Do you fancy a buddy read some time? 3y
Centique @CarolynM yes that would be great. When would suit you? By the way - have you been able to do a few new activities now the lockdown has eased? I hope so 💕 (edited) 3y
Gezemice @Centique well, as @CarolynM said, The Quiet American and Travels With My Aunt are great, but the one that really got me very hard was The End of the Affair. It was just... raw I guess? And very unconventional. 3y
Reggie Last year was sci-fi, this year, classics, next year, nature. I admire the way you plan and follow through, Paula. 3y
Vansa Graham Greene is such an excellent writer. the Human Factor, The third man, The Quiet American, absolute classics. 3y
LeahBergen Good idea. I need to read more classics again. 👍🏻 3y
Cathythoughts That is a good idea ! You are an inspiration 😘 3y
Centique @Gezemice I think I‘ve seen the movie of that and enjoyed it so I should definitely read the book! 3y
Centique @Reggie you have a good memory Reggie! I just like making lists such a lot 😂😂 They‘re only small lists though - nothing like the huge lists of books Jenny gets through when she covers a country or a theme 🙌 @ReadingEnvy 3y
Centique @Vansa thanks for the great reccs! 3y
Centique @LeahBergen oh gosh I already think you read so many more classics than me! I was aiming at early 20th century this time and I think you are probably an expert on that era. 🙌 3y
Centique @Cathythoughts you are too kind Cathy! I just try to read 12 or so books on a theme over the year - it‘s not as challenging as what many other readers do for sure - but I lose interest if I read too many in a genre or make the list too big. 😘 3y
CarolynM I don't have any particular agenda for what I read, so I'm pretty flexible about timing. How closely do you plan? Cafés, bars, restaurants and shops only started reopening yesterday, so baby steps at the moment. We've booked for dinner at a favourite restaurant next week, so that's something to look forward to? (edited) 3y
Centique @CarolynM I have a few library books to get through so would 3 weeks time be about right for you? I checked and my library has plenty of copies so getting it shouldn‘t be a problem. I hope you have a lovely dinner out soon! 3y
CarolynM That timing sounds fine. I have a copy on the shelf so no problem there. Let me know when you want to start. 3y
Centique @CarolynM shall we say Nov 21st then? 3y
CarolynM I'll put it in my diary🙂 3y
82 likes2 stack adds22 comments
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rabbitprincess
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
Pickpick

I enjoyed this much more on second reading, especially now that I‘ve read about the double cross system that the Allies used in WW2. And reading this book at home, rather than on the bus, allowed the humour to shine through much more clearly.
#DoubleSpin April 2020

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 4y
rabbitprincess @TheAromaofBooks I am amused by the coincidence of a double cross book for double spin 😂 4y
TheAromaofBooks haha I didn't even notice that, but I love it! I enjoyed finding books in the system to match my spin draw posts this time around, too 😁 (edited) 4y
25 likes3 comments
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Villo
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

This is the third book in a row by Graham Greene that I read ..... and must say it‘s a shame I did not read anything by this great writer before. A plot that starts out in a very calm and slow motion rendering very well what was Havana and Cuba before revolution, and the non sense of the Cold War spying business. #2020

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DGRachel
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

This is a highly entertaining Cold War era spy tale. James Wormwold is an Englishman living in Havana who is recruited to join the British Secret Service. I seriously can‘t say much without spoiling a key plot point. I will say it was a delightful read, except for some dated racial language that is offensive, and the portrayal of women is about what you‘d expect from a novel written by a white man in the late 1950s. Notes on audio below:

DGRachel Now, the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Northam leaves a lot to be desired. The narrator is great. The music between every chapter, not so much. It‘s distracting, but by halfway through the book, I found myself dancing in my seat when the music came on. 😂 This is also a digitalization of an audio CD, so there‘s a voice the breaks in with “end of disc 1” and “Our Man in Havana disc 2”. THAT was very annoying. 4y
71 likes1 comment
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DGRachel
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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My March reading stats are dreadful. Audio has saved me the last few months, so I‘m hoping they save me this month, too! Picked up 3 today that go with my March theme. Libro.fm is doing special sales to help support indie bookstores, so if you are looking for other ways to support your local indie, see if your store is linked to Libro.fm. (No affiliation-I just love that they exist and they‘re a great alternative to the Amazon machine)

CarolynM I loved Our Man in Havana. 4y
DGRachel @CarolynM Yay! Always good to hear positive reviews of a book before starting it. 😊 4y
Hooked_on_books I love libro! I went on a tear last week buying gift credits for many people (including myself). It‘s nice to have a good way to support my former indie (I don‘t live near them anymore but just love the shop). 4y
67 likes3 comments
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Liv4liv
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
Pickpick

Brilliantly crafted book, what starts out as a seemingly far-fetched concept gradually becomes more believable in the hands of someone whose personal experiences must have strongly influenced the plot. Very enjoyable, funny and insightful.

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edennugget
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens

'Childhood was the germ of all mistrust. You were cruelly joked upon and then you cruelly joked. You lost the remembrance of pain through inflicting it. [...] Schools were said to construct character by chipping off the edges. His edges had been chipped, but the result had not, he thought, been character - only shapelessness, like an exhibit in the Museum of Modern Art.'

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edennugget
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens

"You should dream more, Mr Wormold. Reality in our century is not something to be faced."

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edennugget
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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First impressions - loving the mindset and philosophies of Dr Hasselbacher!

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edennugget
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens

"My worry isn't this year's or even next year's, it's a long term worry."

"Then it's not worth calling a worry."

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Blueberry
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Here is a clue to what I bought for Black Friday. Have you read the book? 😃
(A vacuum cleaner)
@NataliePatalie

NataliePatalie What kind? I was also looking at vacuums. I know I'm older now because all my recommended videos on YouTube currently are from the channel "VacuumAdvisor" lol. 4y
Blueberry @NataliePatalie A Shark from Kohl's. Doesn't need a bag!! 4y
NataliePatalie Ooooh nice!!! 4y
CarolynM I read it last year. Loved it. 4y
52 likes1 stack add4 comments
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agrondin44
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
Pickpick

Quick and fun read, it is different then what I usually read for sure. I like it.

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erzascarletbookgasm
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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#AMonthOfSongs
The only book on my shelf which is set in #Havana

OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚🎶 5y
71 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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GatheringBooks
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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#QuotsyMar19 Day 20: Be #loyal to love. I like this. I don‘t think I have read a novel by Grahame Greene yet. This one sounds interesting.

CarolynM I read this one last year - enjoyed it a lot 🙂 5y
66 likes1 comment
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keithmalek
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

This novel lampoons the intelligence community in the same manner that Joseph Heller's Catch-22 lampoons the absurdities of war.

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MLRio
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

Kind of like James Bond, if James Bond were a hapless middle-aged dork selling vacuum cleaners. Delightfully irreverent and often ridiculous, but peppered with the surprisingly poignant moments one comes to expect from Graham Greene. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

26 likes2 stack adds
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MLRio
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens

Childhood was the germ of all mistrust. You were cruelly joked upon and then you cruelly joked. You lost the remembrance of pain through inflicting it.

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MLRio
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Currently reading

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CarolynM
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Pickpick

When you can't trust anyone how do you decide what to believe? A fabulous satire on British spy novels of the time that also raises some real questions about where loyalty should lie. And a quirky little romance too.

MinDea That is some side eye! 😸😸😸 6y
CarolynM @MinDea Leo is always very suspicious of any attempt to photograph him, you have to be quick about it 😄 6y
Ruthiella Great book and adorable cat 🐈 6y
See All 6 Comments
batsy I need to read more Graham Greene! Great review. And an adorably suspicious kitty 😻 6y
Cathythoughts Sounds really good 👍🏻 6y
Blaire 💗. Love graham Greene! 6y
53 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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CarolynM
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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1. Tagged. I'm enjoying it.
2. We're getting more peak hour services on our train line
3. No more than usual
4. My favourite joke comes in 2 parts:
Q Why do ducks have big feet?
A To stamp out fires
Q Why do elephants have big feet?
A To stamp out flaming ducks
5. Will do

#friyayintro

Cathythoughts 😂love it 6y
jenniferw88 👋😂 6y
Centique Will have to share that joke with my 7yo! 6y
37 likes3 comments
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tobypfrench
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
Pickpick

It's funny 'cos it's true.

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TheKidUpstairs
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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MayJasper Great selection 6y
RealLifeReading Wow great picks! 6y
RealLifeReading Also I love the shot of your blurry boy in the background! 6y
Andrew65 Paris 😊 6y
84 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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I'm not generally one for #minimalistcovers but I do love these vintage Penguin editions and they do keep it pretty simple!

#jubilantjuly @RealLifeReading

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bshoumaker
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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bshoumaker
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Indeed.

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lesserknowngems
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens

'I believe we may be on to something so big that the H-bomb will become a conventional weapon'
'Is that desirable, sir?'
'Of course it is. Nobody worries about conventional weapons'

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Brona
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Our Man in Havana takes to the streets of Santiago de Cuba 🇨🇺

Michelle_mck I want to be in 🇨🇺 7y
9 likes1 comment
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Brona
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Reading Our Man in Havana in Havana, Cuba ! How cool is that?

LyndseyReads Whaaaat? Super cool! 7y
CoffeeAndABook How cool is it that you're in Havana!!! Reading!!! 👍🎈👏Enjoy the book & the city 🌊 ☀️😎 7y
Gulfsidemusing So cool!!😎 7y
Hooked_on_books I love matching my book setting to where I am when I travel (or as close as possible). Such fun! 7y
16 likes4 comments
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vivastory
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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#SpyNovels
I have wanted to read more Greene since reading & loving "Brighton Rock." This is a satire of British intelligence.

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sprainedbrain
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Day 22 of #photoadaynov16

It's become apparent that I have not given #spynovels a proper try. I had to go to my tbr (and Audible wishlist) to find one for today's prompt! 😳

Wilkie Good pick! 7y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Oh, I've had this book on my TBR for at least 6 months!! Can't wait for your review! 7y
SusanInTiburon I've recently read Travels With My Aunt and The Third Man, both with great pleasure. This is moving toward the top of my list! 7y
See All 9 Comments
bookwormmichelle This is one of my favorites of Greene's. 💟 7y
sprainedbrain @Wilkie @bookwormmichelle You're making me want to move this one up on my list! 😃 7y
sprainedbrain @JanuarieTimewalker13 @SusanInTiburon We all need to get to reading it! 😜 7y
bookwormmichelle This one has, among the usual dark Greene stuff, a wicked streak of humor. Loved it. 7y
myellenbee Graham Green is one of my favorite authors. 7y
118 likes7 stack adds9 comments
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Wilkie
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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#SpyNovels #photoadaynov16
This book was a total surprise. Graham Greene was funny!

BeththeBookDragon I really liked this book, and it surprised me too! 7y
tpixie It was quirky!! 7y
34 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Gabypen
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Longing for the beautiful tropics. Missing the loving family. At the very least, I have this story to hold on to. 🌴#havana #cuba

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Eugeniavb
Our man in Havana | Graham Greene, Christopher Hitchens
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Homemade mojitos for the Our man in Havana #bookclub 🍹