Greene on Capri

Greene on Capri recounts Shirley Hazzard's friendship with writer Graham Greene during their time on the Italian island of Capri. The memoir spans multiple decades, beginning with their first meeting at a cafe in the 1960s. Hazzard presents a portrait of Greene through their conversations, shared meals, and encounters with other writers and artists on the island. Her observations of Greene's daily routines, writing habits, and relationships provide context for understanding both the man and his work. The book details life on Capri itself - its social circles, landscapes, and the ways the island's atmosphere influenced its residents and visitors. Notable figures from the literary world move through the narrative, creating a snapshot of intellectual life in this Mediterranean setting. Through this personal account, Hazzard explores themes of friendship, creativity, and the complex relationship between writers and their chosen places of refuge. The narrative raises questions about how environment shapes artistic work, and what it means to truly know another person.

Readers note this memoir focuses more on Hazzard's own experiences and thoughts than on Graham Greene himself. Many appreciate the atmospheric descriptions of Capri and the glimpses into Greene's personality through his conversations and habits at his favorite restaurant. Readers liked: - Details about life on Capri in the 1960s - Insights into Greene's daily routines and friendships - Quality of prose and scene-setting Readers disliked: - Limited direct content about Greene - Too much focus on author's personal reflections - Can feel meandering and self-indulgent - Some found it pretentious Several reviewers mentioned disappointment that the book wasn't a more comprehensive portrait of Greene himself. As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "More a memoir of the author's time on Capri than a biography of Greene." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (15 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (40+ ratings)

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A House in Sicily by Daphne Phelps The narrative chronicles an Englishwoman's life maintaining a historic villa in Taormina while hosting artists and writers over several decades.

The Same Sea as Every Summer by Esther Tusquets A professor's retreat to Barcelona becomes a passage through memory, desire, and literary reflection in this Mediterranean reverie.

Dinner with Persephone by Patricia Storace A year in Greece unfolds through encounters with locals, literary figures, and ancient shadows that echo Greene's penetrating observations of place.

The Flaneur by Edmund White Paris reveals itself through walks, memories, and literary connections that capture the essence of a writer's relationship with a storied location.

🌟 Author Shirley Hazzard first met Graham Greene in 1960 at the famous Piccolo Bar in Capri, Italy, where she was vacationing with her husband, Francis Steegmuller. 🌟 The book blends personal memoir with literary history, capturing intimate details of Greene's life during his annual visits to Capri over a 25-year period. 🌟 Greene was drawn to Capri partly because it was where Soviet spy Kim Philby, who would later betray him, had honeymooned - a connection that fascinated the espionage-minded author. 🌟 The Italian island of Capri has a rich literary history beyond Greene, hosting writers like D.H. Lawrence, Oscar Wilde, and Norman Douglas, all of whom are referenced in Hazzard's narrative. 🌟 Hazzard, an acclaimed novelist herself, won the National Book Critics Circle Award for her novel "The Transit of Venus" and continued to visit Capri regularly until her death in 2016.