Greene, Graham: 1904-1991
The Third Man, 1950 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Challenging
- Period Language – The novel uses British English from the mid-20th century, with vocabulary and expressions that feel dated to modern readers.
Complex Sentence Structure – Greene often writes long, descriptive sentences with subordinate clauses, which can slow comprehension.
Cultural and Historical References – There are references to post-war Vienna, politics, and social norms that may be unfamiliar to many readers.
Dialogue Nuances – Characters speak in subtle, sometimes ironic or understated ways, requiring careful attention to understand tone and meaning.
- Period Language – The novel uses British English from the mid-20th century, with vocabulary and expressions that feel dated to modern readers.
- The difficulty comes not just from the words themselves, but from the combination of older language, complex structure, and nuanced context.