The Man Within (Unabridged‪)‬

The Man Within is Graham Greene's first published novel (1929). The story is set on England's South Coast and concerns Francis Andrews, who reluctantly became embroiled with a gang of smugglers. The novel opens with Andrews desperately fleeing over the downs and eventually reaching an isolated cottage. He finds it's the home of a young woman, Elizabeth, who is alone and recently bereaved of her guardian, protector, and possible abuser. She helps Andrews but is considered by her neighbors a woman of loose morals. It is revealed that Andrews betrayed the gang of smugglers by writing to the customs officials letting them know where and when they would be landing a cargo. A fierce battle ensued in which a customs officer was shot dead. Three of them got away and are pursuing Andrews, out for revenge, while they too are fugitives of the law. One of these is Carlyon, the smugglers' leader, who Andrews both loves and fears. From this point on, Greene crafts a story woven with romance, drenched in psychological, religious, and Freudian themes while creating suspense. All the while he reveals the turmoil and conflict between Andrews and the man within him.