"The Heart of the Matter" is a novel by Graham Greene that was first published in 1948. It is set in West Africa during World War II and tells the story of Henry Scobie, a British police officer stationed in the fictional town of Timbuktu. The novel follows Scobie as he struggles to navigate the moral and ethical dilemmas of his job and his personal life.
Scobie is a deeply flawed and conflicted character, torn between his duty to uphold the law and his sense of compassion and humanity. He finds himself caught up in a web of deceit and betrayal, and is forced to make a series of difficult and tragic choices.
Throughout the novel, Greene uses Scobie's story to explore themes of faith, morality, and the human capacity for self-deception. The writing is evocative and atmospheric, and Greene employs a range of techniques, including symbolism and irony, to convey the complex and often contradictory nature of Scobie's inner world.
Overall, "The Heart of the Matter" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a poignant and unflinching portrayal of the human capacity for self-destruction. It is a testament to Greene's skill as a writer and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.