Vintage Classics Honorary Consul

A gripping tragicomedy set in a provincial Argentinian town, The Honorary Consul follows Charley Fortnum, a whisky-sodden British consul with dubious authority who is kidnapped by rebels in a case of mistaken identity. The young, world-weary Doctor Eduardo Plarr is left to salvage Fortnum’s release, navigating a landscape of incompetence while uncovering corruption among authorities and revolutionaries. First published in 1973, the novel is widely regarded as one of Graham Greene’s finest works, with Plarr often cited as a particularly moving and convincing figure.

In its tense, darkly comic narrative, the story moves from a bungled abduction to a web of political and personal entanglements, exposing the fragility of power and the moral ambiguities of those involved. The book remains a standout in Greene’s oeuvre, celebrated for its blend of suspense, irony, and humanity.

Additional publication details include an edition released in 2006, a 304-page paperback by Vintage Classics, and an introduction by Nicholas Shakespeare, underscoring its status among Greene’s most enduring novels.

Features

• Charley Fortnum is a British consul with dubious authority
• Kidnapped by rebels in mistaken identity
• Doctor Eduardo Plarr works to secure release
• Set in a provincial Argentinian town
• Considered one of Greene’s finest novels
• 2006 Vintage Classics paperback edition, 304 pages

Usage

1. Read the novel to follow Plarr’s efforts
2. Observe the interplay of power, corruption, and loyalty
3. Note the darkly comic tone amid tense thriller elements