Brighton, the Seaside Super
Graham Greene, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, penned a novel about Brighton. It was about a rock, but not places of interest.
"The Third Man" (1949), "The End of the Affair" (1951), and "The Quiet American" (1955) were some of Greene's best works. Some may have second thoughts about including “Brighton Rock” (1938) in the list, but Pinkie Brown, the novel's antihero, was the main reason why this crime caper was good. The film version, with Richard Attenborough as Pinkie, was a success. But it was Greene's writing and nothing else.
Don't get locked up
Brighton, a town on the south coast of England, has a captivating seacoast that lures visitors from other parts of Great Britain and the continent. Flashing rides and amusement, feeding your music addiction, languishing in a royal love nest. They're part of the ultimate Brighton experience. But Greene, a native of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, pictured the community in a different light. Crime lurked in the shadows back then. Pinkie, a seventeen-year-old, was the least likely to rule the underworld. Readers would have a change of mind after a few chapters, learning that he was a sociopath.
Pinkie killed Fred Hale, a reporter who betrayed the former leader of a gang now controlled by the young crook. The series of events that followed drew Ida Arnold and Rose into the picture. Ida was a plump, kind-hearted lady who knew Fred, while Rose dated - and married - Pinkie. This surprised many, as the lad was repelled by human affection and sex. But they lived in a sordid world.
Only those familiar with Greene's works would perceive the novel was all about the ill effects of the First World War. The former colonies in Africa were affected first. In the case of Europe, there would be a lasting change. But there was no need to read Greene's other books to figure this out. The novel's themes revolved around sin.
Be a big kid
Pinkie and Rose happened to be Catholics, and their different backgrounds provided Greene the proper platform to challenge the Roman Catholic doctrine. Don't look for discursive philosophy, though. This was all about human character, and how one's beliefs on morality defined it. This was compared to a confectionary (called Brighton Rock) being sold at the seaside.
Rose: People change.
Ida: I've never changed. It's like those sticks of rock. Bite one all the way down, you'll still read Brighton. That's human nature.
Attenborough's performance was one of his finest. He was twenty three when the film was shot, but he had a baby face. It belied the years Pinkie was involved in crime, making him perfect for the role. John Boulting helmed an entertaining flick, which was how Greene wanted it. But you only need to go shellshocking to take notice of the surroundings.
In Brighton, you'll discover dead things. They're not found in glass cases, though. You'll be compelled to go to the heart of the art. The likes of Pinkie will give you a detour.
