The End of the Affair Summary & Key Insights

Graham Greene's The End of the Affair is a complex and emotionally charged novel exploring themes of faith, love, jealousy, and the destructive power of obsession. The story unfolds through the retrospective narration of Maurice Bendrix, a cynical novelist, recounting his passionate yet turbulent affair with Sarah Miles.

Their affair begins amidst the backdrop of World War II in London. Maurice, a married man, is immediately captivated by Sarah's quiet intensity and enigmatic nature. Their relationship is intense, characterized by both ecstatic passion and agonizing uncertainty. Sarah, seemingly equally consumed, maintains a certain distance, fueling Maurice's insecurities and possessiveness. He is constantly suspicious, plagued by doubts about her fidelity and the true nature of her feelings.

A significant turning point occurs when Sarah is badly injured in a bombing raid. Maurice's belief that he has lost her triggers a profound shift in their relationship. Upon her recovery, Sarah becomes increasingly distant, claiming a newfound faith and attributing it to a mysterious intervention. She insists she is no longer capable of loving him, leaving Maurice heartbroken and consumed by jealousy.

The narrative takes a compelling turn with the introduction of Parkis, Sarah's seemingly pious and unassuming husband. Maurice, convinced that Parkis holds a key to understanding Sarah's change, begins to suspect a hidden connection between them. He employs a private investigator to uncover the truth, ultimately discovering details about Sarah's secretive visits to a church and her acts of self-sacrifice rooted in a fervent religious devotion.

Through a series of flashbacks and revelations, Maurice pieces together Sarah's internal struggle. Her newfound faith isn't simply a rejection of their affair; it's a desperate attempt to atone for perceived sins and to grapple with her complex emotions. She believes her love for Maurice is a sin, leading her to make sacrifices to God in an attempt to ensure his safety and to seek spiritual redemption. This sacrifice includes, unbeknownst to Maurice, a promise to God to ensure his death if it will save Maurice's life.

In the end, Maurice learns the truth about Sarah's belief that God answered her prayer—a bomb exploded near him, but he survived only because Sarah's prayer was a form of sacrifice to protect him. He learns about the mysterious "other" in Sarah's life, her love for God, not another man. He is left devastated but also with a newfound appreciation for the intensity and the ultimate sacrifice of her love. The novel ends with Maurice contemplating the enigmatic and ultimately unknowable nature of love, faith, and the enduring power of memory, leaving the reader with unresolved questions about the true nature of Sarah’s actions and motivations, and the complex relationship between love and spirituality.