The Third Man by Graham Greene is praised for its atmospheric portrayal of post-war Vienna and its compelling narrative. Reviewers commend the book's intricate plot and the moral complexity of its characters. Some critics find the pacing uneven and the conclusion less satisfying than expected. Overall, it remains a gripping and thought-provoking read.

A reader captivated by atmospheric noir, post-WWII intrigue, and moral ambiguity will enjoy Graham Greene's The Third Man. Fans of John le Carré's The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Eric Ambler's Epitaph for a Spy will appreciate its suspenseful plot and richly textured, divided Vienna setting.

The Third Man by Graham Greene is a thriller set in post-World War II Vienna, revolving around Rollo Martins, a writer who investigates the mysterious death of his friend Harry Lime. As Martins digs deeper, he discovers Lime's involvement in a penicillin racket, leading to a moral quandary. Themes of deception, betrayal, and the harsh realities of post-war Europe permeate the story. The book contains references to child mortality and the psychological impacts of war.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Melancholic / Gritty

- The Third Man was originally written as a screenplay by Graham Greene before it was adapted into a novella, serving as a precursor to the classic 1949 film directed by Carol Reed.
- Greene's depiction of post-war Vienna in The Third Man was inspired by his visit to the city while working as a screenwriter, capturing the atmosphere of a divided city under Allied occupation.
- The iconic zither music by Anton Karas, which became synonymous with the film adaptation of The Third Man, contributed to its international success and recognition, although it was initially met with skepticism by the film's producer.

**Rollo Martins**  
A young British writer known for his Westerns, who travels to Vienna to uncover the truth about his childhood friend Harry Lime's activities.

**Colonel Calloway**  
The story’s narrator and a police detective in Vienna, who provides a factual account of the events surrounding Rollo Martins and Harry Lime.

**Herr Koch**  
Harry Lime’s neighbor in Vienna, who initially informs Rollo Martins about Lime's supposed death and later becomes tied to the conspiracy.

**Harry Lime**  
Martins’s childhood friend whose charismatic yet criminal presence drives Martins to investigate the questionable circumstances of his death.

**Anna Schmidt**  
An actress and Harry Lime’s loyal romantic partner, whose emotional complexity and personal history intersect with Martins's quest for the truth.

**Kurtz**  
A close associate of Harry Lime, whose outward charm masks his underlying motives and involvement in Lime's schemes.

**Dr. Winkler**  
Harry Lime’s reticent personal physician involved in the initial uncertainties surrounding Lime's death.

**Crabbin**  
A well-meaning British Cultural Relations Society bureaucrat, who mistakenly identifies Rollo Martins as a famous writer, complicating Martins's pursuit of Lime.

**Cooler**  
An American associate of Harry Lime, who presents a friendly demeanor while having connections to black-market dealings in Vienna.

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