The Heart Of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

Graham Greene’s The Heart of the Matter, set in an unnamed West African colony towards the end of World War II, is loosely based on the author’s own experience as a British intelligence officer in Sierra Leone. The novel’s protagonist, Henry Scobie, struggles to make his miserable wife happy. In the process, Scobie begins to wonder if any individual can truly make another happy, resulting in a life-changing moral crisis.

The Heart of the Matter, an insightful exploration of pity, suffering, religion, and responsibility, quickly became extremely popular, having sold more than 300,000 copies upon publication. The novel was critically acclaimed and received many favorable reviews. In 1948, The Heart of the Matter was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction and it was shortlisted for the Best of the James Tait Black awardees in 2012. The novel is ranked 40th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and is also listed on TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).

First Edition Identification

William Heinemann first published The Heart of the Matter in London in 1948. Bound in dark blue cloth, the 297-page first edition states “First Published 1948” on the copyright page with no additional printings listed. The original dust jack is red with darkened corners and white text. 

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

The Viking Press published the first US edition of The Heart of the Matter later in 1948.

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The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used
Published
1948
Quantity Available
1
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Naperville, Illinois, USA
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A$77.70

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This book is The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene published by The Viking Press, New York. This linen-covered book has 306 pages. It is set in Caslon and Baskerville types and printed in U.S.A. by H. Wolff, New York. The spine is tight; the cover is two-toned gray and maroon with a GG author initials on front cover.… Read more about this item
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A$77.70
The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by GREENE GRAHAM

Condition
Used
Jacket Condition
Dust Jacket
Edition
First Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Hard Cover
Quantity Available
1
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Leicester, GBR
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$1,558.12

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London: Heinemann, 1948. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dust Jacket. (London: Willian Heinemann Ltd 1948). First UK Edition, first printing. Publisher's original dark blue cloth with silver titles to the spine. Top edge stained red. A VG+ copy, the binding clean and square with only light rubbing and softening at the spine tips. The contents are… Read more about this item
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A$1,558.12
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
First British Paperback Printing
Published
1962
Binding
Paperback
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1
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Campbell River, British Columbia, CAN
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A$31.00

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London: Penguin Books, 1962. Considered by many to be Mr. Greenes' finest book, this is in very good shape, Interiors are unmarked. There is some age-toning and general shelfwear to the cover. Spine shows light chipping to the points but is uncreased. A very nice copy.. First British Paperback Printing. Vintage Paperback. Very Good/No Jacket. Illus. by Paul Hogarth -… Read more about this item
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A$31.00
The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used - Near fine 1st edition with unclipped d/j, little evidence of being read, so binding is tight and pages crisp. Slight foxing on e
Edition
1st
Published
1948
Binding
Hardback
Quantity Available
1
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Maidenhead, Berkshire, GBR
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A$362.58

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London: Heinemann, 1948. 1st. hardback. Near fine 1st edition with unclipped d/j, little evidence of being read, so binding is tight and pages crisp. Slight foxing on edges, but book is unmarked and clean.. 12mo (190 x 130 / 7_"" x 5""). Scobie, a police officer serving in a war-time West African state, is distrusted, being scrupulously honest… Read more about this item
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A$362.58
The Heart of the Matter.
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The Heart of the Matter.

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used
Published
1948
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1
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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A$8,547.55

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New York: The Viking Press, 1948.
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The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used - Good
Edition
First edition
Published
1948
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
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BATH, Somerset, GBR
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A$88.20

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London: William Heinemann, 1948. First edition. Cloth. Good. 7.5" by 5". Not Stated. A first edition, first impression copy of this award-winning novel by Graham Greene. The personal copy of twentieth-century English socialite Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. The first edition of this novel by Graham Greene, recounting of a man's crisis of duty, morals and faith. The story was drawn… Read more about this item
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A$88.20
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition; First Printing
Published
1948
Binding
Sewn binding is square and tight.
Quantity Available
1
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Maysville, Georgia, USA
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A$310.82

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Hardcover. 297 pp. William Heinemann Ltd., London UK (1948). First Edition (FPu). First Printing. No dust jacket. Black cloth boards with silver titling to spine. Solid binding, with moderate wear to board extremities. Gardner Dwinell Pond bookplate on front pastedown. PO name and inkstamp on FFEP. No other markings inside or out. Light age-toning of leaves. Very Good+/No DJ. More… Read more about this item
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A$310.82
The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by GREENE GRAHAM

Condition
Used
Jacket Condition
Dust Jacket
Edition
First Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Hard Cover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Leicester, GBR
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A$2,841.86

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London: Heinemann, 1948. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dust Jacket. First UK Edition. Publisher's dark blue cloth with silver lettering to the spine. Tan end-papers, red top-stain. This is the Heinemann First Edition from 1948. A near fine (or better) copy without inscriptions. Laid in is the rare advertising material for 'A Gun For Sale' and… Read more about this item
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A$2,841.86
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
First Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Hard Cover
Quantity Available
1
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Seattle, Washington, USA
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A$43.51

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N Y: Viking Press, 1948. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. A clean, unmarked book with a tight binding. Small spots on cover. 306 pages.
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A$43.51
The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used - Very Good Minus
Edition
1st Edition
Published
1948
Quantity Available
1
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Tarrington, Herefordshire, GBR
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A$168.55

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New York: The Viking Press, 1948. 1st Edition . Very Good Minus. 5.75 x 8.25 inches (14.5 x 21 cm). First printing of the US first edition. Limited edition of 750 copies specially bound for distribution to friends of The Viking Press. No jacket - possibly as issued. Brown cloth binding with red dyed top page edge. Spine… Read more about this item
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A$168.55
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
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THE HEART OF THE MATTER

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used
Published
(1948)
Quantity Available
1
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Middletown, Maryland, USA
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A$699.34

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London: William Heinemann, (1948). First edition. Based on Greene's own experience as a British intelligence officer in West Africa. Rated among the top 100 English-language novels by both the Modern Library and Time Magazine and basis for the 1953 movie starring Trevor Howard. Endpapers and adjacent pages darkened including the half-title as generally seen otherwise bright and near fine… Read more about this item
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A$699.34
The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Published
1948
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tomball, Texas, USA
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A$621.64

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First US Edition/First Printing with no mention of subsequent printings; A Near Fine book in a Near Fine dust jacket. An outstanding copy of this novel, a multiple award winner, including being named to a number of best of 20th Century lists; uncommon in this condition. This copy is in near fine condition with a square, tight binding, bright spine… Read more about this item
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A$621.64
The Heart Of The Matter

The Heart Of The Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
Acceptable Jacket
Edition
First Edition
Published
1951
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Devizes, Wiltshire, GBR
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A$18.11

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William Heinemann Ltd, 1951. First Edition. Hardcover. Good/Acceptable Jacket. 17 to 19 cm tall (12mo). Previous owner's ink inscription. First Edition Uniform edition 1951. Jacket is missing part of the spine. Posted within 1 working day. 1st class tracked post to the UK, Airmail tracked worldwide. Robust recyclable packaging.
Item Price
A$18.11
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used
Published
1/1/1948
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA
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A$101.02

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1/1/1948. Hardcover. "This copy of The Heart of the Matter is one of 750 copies of the first edition specially bound for distribution to friends of the Viking Press"" No dust jacket; gray cloth with red and gold decoration and lettering; spine faded; top edge red; endpapers tanned; binding tight; text clean and bright. G
Item Price
A$101.02
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used - Very good +
Jacket Condition
missing
Edition
First Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Gridley, California, USA
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A$132.10

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Melbourne, London, Toronto: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1948. First Edition. Cloth. Very good +/missing. A very good plus first edition. Missing dust jacket. Blue cloth binding with silver title stamping. Dust marks to page edges, top edge painted orange. Endpapers toned, minor foxing. Tiny "Times Book Club" ink stamp on rear pastedown. 297 pp. 5 x 7&1/2 inches… Read more about this item
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A$132.10
The Heart of the Matter - a superb copy
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The Heart of the Matter - a superb copy

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used
Published
1948
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, GBR
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A$2,449.88

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London: Heinemann, 1948. A first edition, first printing published by Heinemann in 1948. A near fine book without inscriptions in a very good/near fine unfaded dust wrapper which is neatly clipped. One small closed tear to the head of the spine and some light nicking. A really nice example of a notoriously fragile wrapper and rare in its… Read more about this item
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A$2,449.88
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What's Happened to Politics ? **SIGNED**

by Rae, Bob

Condition
Used - Fine+
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
1st Edition, 3rd Printing 3rd Printing
Published
2015
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1501103415
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Lyndhurst, Ontario, CAN
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A$116.56

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Toronto: Simon & Schuster Canada, 2015. 1st Edition, 3rd Printing 3rd Printing. Hardcover. Fine+/Fine. 7 1/2" X 5 3/4. Book, " . . . clearly sets out the big questions Canadians should be asking their leaders, their elected representatives, and themselves." (front flap) 139 pp. plus: Further… Read more about this item
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A$116.56
The Heart of the Matter (Essential Penguin Paperback)

The Heart of the Matter (Essential Penguin Paperback)

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0140278753
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1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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A$1.96

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Paperback. Very Good.
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A$1.96
The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter

by Graham Greene

Condition
Used - Poor
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Edition
Book Club Edition
Published
1948
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Decatur, Georgia, USA
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Item Price
A$1.55

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New York: Viking Press, 1948. Book Club Edition . Hardcover. Poor/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Book Club edition, July 1948. 306 pages. Dimensions: 8.25" x 5.5". Lacking the dust jacket, but overall an acceptable reading copy. Condition: Fair to poor. Pages are clean with no writing or markings by pencil, pen, or highlighting. A few pages… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$1.55
The Heart of the Matter.

The Heart of the Matter.

by Greene, Graham

Condition
Used
Published
1948
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$543.94

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Description:
New York: The Viking Press, 1948.
Item Price
A$543.94