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The End of the Party
Peter and his fearful twin brother Francis attend a birthday party which ends in tragedy.
6 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1929
About the author
Graham Greene
521 books5,623 followersHenry Graham Greene was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading novelists of the 20th century.
Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquired a reputation early in his lifetime as a major writer, both of serious Catholic novels, and of thrillers (or "entertainments" as he termed them). He was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature several times. Through 67 years of writing, which included over 25 novels, he explored the conflicting moral and political issues of the modern world. The Power and the Glory won the 1941 Hawthornden Prize and The Heart of the Matter won the 1948 James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was shortlisted for the Best of the James Tait Black. Greene was awarded the 1968 Shakespeare Prize and the 1981 Jerusalem Prize. Several of his stories have been filmed, some more than once, and he collaborated with filmmaker Carol Reed on The Fallen Idol (1948) and The Third Man (1949).
He converted to Catholicism in 1926 after meeting his future wife, Vivienne Dayrell-Browning. Later in life he took to calling himself a "Catholic agnostic". He died in 1991, aged 86, of leukemia, and was buried in Corseaux cemetery in Switzerland. William Golding called Greene "the ultimate chronicler of twentieth-century man's consciousness and anxiety".
Combining literary acclaim with widespread popularity, Greene acquired a reputation early in his lifetime as a major writer, both of serious Catholic novels, and of thrillers (or "entertainments" as he termed them). He was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature several times. Through 67 years of writing, which included over 25 novels, he explored the conflicting moral and political issues of the modern world. The Power and the Glory won the 1941 Hawthornden Prize and The Heart of the Matter won the 1948 James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was shortlisted for the Best of the James Tait Black. Greene was awarded the 1968 Shakespeare Prize and the 1981 Jerusalem Prize. Several of his stories have been filmed, some more than once, and he collaborated with filmmaker Carol Reed on The Fallen Idol (1948) and The Third Man (1949).
He converted to Catholicism in 1926 after meeting his future wife, Vivienne Dayrell-Browning. Later in life he took to calling himself a "Catholic agnostic". He died in 1991, aged 86, of leukemia, and was buried in Corseaux cemetery in Switzerland. William Golding called Greene "the ultimate chronicler of twentieth-century man's consciousness and anxiety".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 24, 2022
Francis Morton had a sick sensation in his stomach thinking about 10 year old Colin Henne -Falcon’s party later that day. Although he would have the company of his twin brother Peter, he was terrified. He remembered with horror the taunts that he suffered last year, and decides he will feign illness rather than attend this year. He doesn’t however manage to dodge the party, and as the time comes for the party game hide and seek to begin (in complete darkness), so does his level of fear!
It’s truly amazing how much emotion Graham Greene manages to elicit in just a few short pages - I actually found my heart beating with anxiety along with Francis’s!
Thank you to my friend Daniel Shindler for putting this one on my radar.
Here’s the free link https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
It’s truly amazing how much emotion Graham Greene manages to elicit in just a few short pages - I actually found my heart beating with anxiety along with Francis’s!
Thank you to my friend Daniel Shindler for putting this one on my radar.
Here’s the free link https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
October 25, 2018
this is a shiveringly good short story, and i am so grateful to wendy darling for the indirect recommendation.
the twin brothers (eeeek!!) in this story are so closely entwined that they have that heightened twin-telepathy we all know is true. they are so deeply connected: the world is their new womb. but only one of them is scared of the dark. and the story is basically the one twin trying to get out of having to go to this party where there is going to be hide-and-seek in the dark, to no avail, and the party, and the result.
did you know that i am also scared of the dark? well, i am. and so the idea of going to a party and playing hide-and-seek in the dark is very shuddery to me. and then add twins on top of it? you can see that for me, this would be the scariest story ever.
and it's great - greene does an excellent build here. i have only read heart of the matter before, and it was nothing like this. more writers should try their hand at horror, because who knows who has an actual knack for it? i wouldn't have suspected it of graham greene...
and it ends on such an
moment.
the idea of facing your fears is unhealthy. it is better to avoid them at all costs. much better.
seriously - any of you people try to force me into playing hide-and-seek in the dark, i'm taking you down with me. and if you are twins, you better watch out twice.
come to my blog!
the twin brothers (eeeek!!) in this story are so closely entwined that they have that heightened twin-telepathy we all know is true. they are so deeply connected: the world is their new womb. but only one of them is scared of the dark. and the story is basically the one twin trying to get out of having to go to this party where there is going to be hide-and-seek in the dark, to no avail, and the party, and the result.
did you know that i am also scared of the dark? well, i am. and so the idea of going to a party and playing hide-and-seek in the dark is very shuddery to me. and then add twins on top of it? you can see that for me, this would be the scariest story ever.
and it's great - greene does an excellent build here. i have only read heart of the matter before, and it was nothing like this. more writers should try their hand at horror, because who knows who has an actual knack for it? i wouldn't have suspected it of graham greene...
and it ends on such an
moment.
the idea of facing your fears is unhealthy. it is better to avoid them at all costs. much better.
seriously - any of you people try to force me into playing hide-and-seek in the dark, i'm taking you down with me. and if you are twins, you better watch out twice.
March 12, 2024
“There's nothing to fear in the dark ”, they say.
This is a powerful story that talks about children’s fears and the connection between twin brothers. It deals with the emotional deafness of adults and a tragedy to which their lack of compassion may lead.
It contains less than 4 000 words but affects our imagination and makes us feel commiseration and sadness. Having finished this little story, I was almost dumbfounded not expecting the end to be so frightening.
The author invites us to spend just one day with two little twins - Peter and Francis.
But this day is one of those that can encompass a decade, so full of intense emotions they are.
The brothers differ greatly in temperament and character. Peter is probably an extrovert, outgoing and spontaneous, Francis an introvert who prefers staying at home to being in the noisy company of children
But he also has a more particular fear. The little boy is afraid of darkness.
However, despite these differences, the brothers are extraordinarily close. They are endowed with the power to feel each other’s pain, fears, and hopes.
Graham Greene relates to us what happens during the day when the twins are expected to go to a party. Other children will be there, as well as tasty food and, of course, different games have been planned.
Everything seems to be designed to entertain children. But the high-strung Francis desperately tries to avoid going to this party. He knows too well that he will be required to spend some time in complete darkness.
Nothing seems as dreadful to him as this upcoming, almost imminent danger.
Francis repeatedly tries to find an excuse not to go but fails, as do Peter's awkward attempts to lift the burden off his shoulders.
The children that surround him just want to have fun and do not refrain from mocking Francis. They take his shyness for conceit.
The adults, on their part, toy with the idea of how a party for children should look like and constantly downplay the fears of the boy.
The children are going to drink tea with a cake and after that maybe play hide and seek in the dark.
The horrific ending of the story is a price the adults pay for their indifference and their adherence to decorum.
P.S. It will take you just around 10 minutes to go through The End of the Party. You can read it here.
This is a powerful story that talks about children’s fears and the connection between twin brothers. It deals with the emotional deafness of adults and a tragedy to which their lack of compassion may lead.
It contains less than 4 000 words but affects our imagination and makes us feel commiseration and sadness. Having finished this little story, I was almost dumbfounded not expecting the end to be so frightening.
The author invites us to spend just one day with two little twins - Peter and Francis.
But this day is one of those that can encompass a decade, so full of intense emotions they are.
The brothers differ greatly in temperament and character. Peter is probably an extrovert, outgoing and spontaneous, Francis an introvert who prefers staying at home to being in the noisy company of children
But he also has a more particular fear. The little boy is afraid of darkness.
However, despite these differences, the brothers are extraordinarily close. They are endowed with the power to feel each other’s pain, fears, and hopes.
Graham Greene relates to us what happens during the day when the twins are expected to go to a party. Other children will be there, as well as tasty food and, of course, different games have been planned.
"Sweet child," said Mrs Henne-Falcon absent-mindedly, before, with a wave of her arms, as though the children were a flock of chickens, she whirled them into her set programme of entertainments: egg-and-spoon races, three-legged races, the spearing of apples, games which held for Francis nothing worse than humiliation.
Everything seems to be designed to entertain children. But the high-strung Francis desperately tries to avoid going to this party. He knows too well that he will be required to spend some time in complete darkness.
Nothing seems as dreadful to him as this upcoming, almost imminent danger.
Francis repeatedly tries to find an excuse not to go but fails, as do Peter's awkward attempts to lift the burden off his shoulders.
The children that surround him just want to have fun and do not refrain from mocking Francis. They take his shyness for conceit.
The adults, on their part, toy with the idea of how a party for children should look like and constantly downplay the fears of the boy.
The children are going to drink tea with a cake and after that maybe play hide and seek in the dark.
The horrific ending of the story is a price the adults pay for their indifference and their adherence to decorum.
P.S. It will take you just around 10 minutes to go through The End of the Party. You can read it here.
January 18, 2022
Francis Morton had "a sick empty sensation in his stomach and a rapidly beating heart... fear of the party." The birthday party in question, that of ten year old Colin Henne-Falcon, was tonight. Nine year old Francis had unpleasant memories of last year's party, taunts by others during the egg-and-spoon races and dunking for apples. He had always been fearful of many things while his older twin, Peter was instinctively protective of him, a mirror to Francis, trying to exude self reliance and confidence. Unable to avoid attending the party, Francis feared the "approaching terror of the night" which included a game of hide and seek in the darkness.
In the short span of 9 pages, the reader experiences a plethora of emotions as the story barrels to an unexpected, eerie ending. Wow!
Thank you Kevin and Laysee for bringing this gem to my attention.
And it's FREE to read online: https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
In the short span of 9 pages, the reader experiences a plethora of emotions as the story barrels to an unexpected, eerie ending. Wow!
Thank you Kevin and Laysee for bringing this gem to my attention.
And it's FREE to read online: https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
January 18, 2022
"Cowardy, cowardy custard,
Stick your mother in mustard.
If you do or if you don't
Cowardy, cowardy custard!"
—Traditional English children's taunt
Peter Morton wakes with a start one rainy morning and shouts over to his brother, Francis, who is in the grip of a portentous dream. Via Graham Greene's smart utilisation of the 'show, don't tell' technique we swiftly learn that the boys are identical twins and also that they are due to attend Colin Henne-Falcon's tenth birthday party.
Francis, the more faint-hearted of the two, has bad memories of last year's event and doesn't particularly want to suffer the mockery of children who gaze at him with the vacant expression of wide sunflowers.
Anyone familiar with Greene's writing capability will already know how masterful it was. Those yet to sample his artistry will find this a worthy introduction. I binge-read almost all of his books as a teen and dearly wish we had Goodreads back then.
This extremely short story (just nine pages) shifts from suspenseful to ominous in less time than it would take to wrap a birthday present.
And it's FREE to read online: https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
Last to read it is a cowardy custard!
Stick your mother in mustard.
If you do or if you don't
Cowardy, cowardy custard!"
—Traditional English children's taunt
Peter Morton wakes with a start one rainy morning and shouts over to his brother, Francis, who is in the grip of a portentous dream. Via Graham Greene's smart utilisation of the 'show, don't tell' technique we swiftly learn that the boys are identical twins and also that they are due to attend Colin Henne-Falcon's tenth birthday party.
Francis, the more faint-hearted of the two, has bad memories of last year's event and doesn't particularly want to suffer the mockery of children who gaze at him with the vacant expression of wide sunflowers.
Anyone familiar with Greene's writing capability will already know how masterful it was. Those yet to sample his artistry will find this a worthy introduction. I binge-read almost all of his books as a teen and dearly wish we had Goodreads back then.
This extremely short story (just nine pages) shifts from suspenseful to ominous in less time than it would take to wrap a birthday present.
And it's FREE to read online: https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
Last to read it is a cowardy custard!
July 30, 2021
What a terrific little short story. Gosh, how beautiful Graham Greene manages to conjure up such a feeling of dread in just a few pages!
March 11, 2024
Peter and Francis are twin brothers. They look exactly alike on the outside. But they are two very different people on the inside. Peter has a positive attitude and is always looking out for his brother, feeling the need to protect him. Francis on the other hand is pretty much ill, scared and anxious all the time. At a party, a seemingly harmless game of hide and seek in the dark separates the two brothers. But not for long.
This is a story about the fear of the dark. We instinctively fear it because it’s a primal fear of the unknown. And it used to be a fear that had a purpose. Once upon a time, we needed to be aware of dangerous predators that hunted in the dark. But now we should learn to keep that primal fear of the unknown under control. To stop that fear from dictating our actions and help us make rational decisions instead.
Fear is a powerful emotion but it’s not a good motivator. A good example of this is the fear of failure. A lot of people are so scared in advance that they’re going to fail to overcome the unknown challenges that come with trying something new, that they end up never even trying it at all. Take writing a book for example. When you come up with a concept, you know where you want to go and you know a few places where you’ll stop along the way. But that’s it. You’re basically building a scary and mysterious mental labyrinth. Once you start to write, you bravely enter that labyrinth. You might come across poisonous snakes, invisible patches of quicksand and ancient traps that would even make Indiana Jones sweat. As soon as you’ve overcome all those obstacles and reach the end of the labyrinth, you might turn a corner and find yourself staring into the eyes of an angry minotaur that chases you all the way back to the entrance, forcing you to start all over again. So it’s easy to see why it’s so scary to enter that labyrinth in the first place. But the most important thing to remember here is that you’ll never be able to write a book or achieve the things you want to accomplish if you’re too afraid to take a step in the dark and give it a shot. Fear is not a good motivator. And that’s something we all need to be aware of in our own lives.
Quite an intense short little story, even though not a lot happens. This is a testament to the author’s skills to raise tension through nothing but the writing itself. To set the mood of the story without having the need to show it. But the most important thing is that it’s a story that leaves an impression on you with quite a powerful ending. Thanks to my Goodreads friend Nika for putting this story on my radar.
This is a story about the fear of the dark. We instinctively fear it because it’s a primal fear of the unknown. And it used to be a fear that had a purpose. Once upon a time, we needed to be aware of dangerous predators that hunted in the dark. But now we should learn to keep that primal fear of the unknown under control. To stop that fear from dictating our actions and help us make rational decisions instead.
Fear is a powerful emotion but it’s not a good motivator. A good example of this is the fear of failure. A lot of people are so scared in advance that they’re going to fail to overcome the unknown challenges that come with trying something new, that they end up never even trying it at all. Take writing a book for example. When you come up with a concept, you know where you want to go and you know a few places where you’ll stop along the way. But that’s it. You’re basically building a scary and mysterious mental labyrinth. Once you start to write, you bravely enter that labyrinth. You might come across poisonous snakes, invisible patches of quicksand and ancient traps that would even make Indiana Jones sweat. As soon as you’ve overcome all those obstacles and reach the end of the labyrinth, you might turn a corner and find yourself staring into the eyes of an angry minotaur that chases you all the way back to the entrance, forcing you to start all over again. So it’s easy to see why it’s so scary to enter that labyrinth in the first place. But the most important thing to remember here is that you’ll never be able to write a book or achieve the things you want to accomplish if you’re too afraid to take a step in the dark and give it a shot. Fear is not a good motivator. And that’s something we all need to be aware of in our own lives.
Quite an intense short little story, even though not a lot happens. This is a testament to the author’s skills to raise tension through nothing but the writing itself. To set the mood of the story without having the need to show it. But the most important thing is that it’s a story that leaves an impression on you with quite a powerful ending. Thanks to my Goodreads friend Nika for putting this story on my radar.
January 8, 2012
Wowza...this short story will knock your heart on its ass and leave your stomach knot-tangled and woozy. Ironically, I have several Graham Greene novels on my on deck list, but this is the first of his work that I have actually read thanks to Wendy Darling whose wonderful review led me to this. Thank you Wendy for letting me in on the secret of this little piece of gold.
Two identical twins, Francis and Peter, brought to the apex of apprehension at the prospect of a birthday party. The fear of the oldest, Peter, is solely for his younger twin who is petrified beyond consolation at the prospect of having to participate in a planned game of “hide and seek” planned for the party:
The only way...the only way that this story works is for you to feel and understand how deeply connected Francis and Peter are to one another. Greene does this perfectly. The fact that he’s able to accomplish this given the brevity of words in this story is a feat worthy of note.
The ending will shock and cling to you.
It is available for free here: The End of the Party. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to read this.
4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Two identical twins, Francis and Peter, brought to the apex of apprehension at the prospect of a birthday party. The fear of the oldest, Peter, is solely for his younger twin who is petrified beyond consolation at the prospect of having to participate in a planned game of “hide and seek” planned for the party:
It was true he felt ill, a sick empty sensation in his stomach and a rapidly beating heart, but he knew the cause was only fear, fear of the party, fear of being made to hide by himself in the dark, uncompanioned by Peter and with no night-light to make a blessed breach.What follows over a scant 6 pages is a powerful exploration of slow creeping dread as two linked souls are caught in the shredding gears of a fate that can not be averted. Francis counts the minutes until the party, desperate to find an escape clause, while Peter suffers the constricting feeling of powerlessness to protect his younger brother.
The only way...the only way that this story works is for you to feel and understand how deeply connected Francis and Peter are to one another. Greene does this perfectly. The fact that he’s able to accomplish this given the brevity of words in this story is a feat worthy of note.
The ending will shock and cling to you.
It is available for free here: The End of the Party. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to read this.
4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
May 6, 2015
http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/... free online.
I love it when I find something I didn't know about by a favourite author and it's free, online. Instant gratification. This is an excellent and creepy story. I'm very hard to creep out as I don't give much credence to ghosts, the paranormal or things that go creak in the night. But Graham Greene is a magical writer and in his hands words do what he wants them to, which is the mark of the sort of author who people will enjoy a hundred years hence as much as they did over 70 years ago.
I love it when I find something I didn't know about by a favourite author and it's free, online. Instant gratification. This is an excellent and creepy story. I'm very hard to creep out as I don't give much credence to ghosts, the paranormal or things that go creak in the night. But Graham Greene is a magical writer and in his hands words do what he wants them to, which is the mark of the sort of author who people will enjoy a hundred years hence as much as they did over 70 years ago.
January 12, 2012
It's the fifth of January, so I just re-read this story since it takes place on that date. Graham Greene's The End of the Party is the unsettling drama of twin brothers who go to a children's party that will change their lives forever. The short story can be read online here.
The first time I read this, I was in English class in the ninth grade. I didn't expect to find anything special when I opened the anthology of required reading, but I found myself absolutely mesmerized by the dynamic between the two brothers as well as the casual scornfulness of the girls in their class. As the events unfold and the boys are forced into the most seemingly benign of games, I remember tearing through it with my heart thumping as I experienced Francis's mounting tension and dread. The idea that a person could be so overwhelmed by his own fear was absolutely horrifying and fascinating to me, and I've never been able to forget the terrible sadness and pity I felt for the boys, and for all children really, after I read the last line.
If you enjoy fiction about the power of suggestion that's reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe (minus the baroqueness), this is an exceptionally well-written short story that will take you just a matter of minutes to read.
The first time I read this, I was in English class in the ninth grade. I didn't expect to find anything special when I opened the anthology of required reading, but I found myself absolutely mesmerized by the dynamic between the two brothers as well as the casual scornfulness of the girls in their class. As the events unfold and the boys are forced into the most seemingly benign of games, I remember tearing through it with my heart thumping as I experienced Francis's mounting tension and dread. The idea that a person could be so overwhelmed by his own fear was absolutely horrifying and fascinating to me, and I've never been able to forget the terrible sadness and pity I felt for the boys, and for all children really, after I read the last line.
If you enjoy fiction about the power of suggestion that's reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe (minus the baroqueness), this is an exceptionally well-written short story that will take you just a matter of minutes to read.
August 8, 2021
Francis and Peter, 9-year-old twins, are invited to a party. Most children will be delighted. At the party, it is expected that there will be ‘egg-and-spoon races, three-legged races, the spearing of apples’ and cake. But Francis is terrified of a party and not looking forward to the company of two older girls who regard him with scorn. His parents are ignorant of his social anxiety but Peter, his telepathic twin, knows how truly petrified he is. How pitiful his vain attempts to get out of this dreaded event! Oh, how I wished he could! I wanted so badly to protect him like he were my little brother.
At less than 3500 words, Graham Greene evoked, with chilling brilliance, the mortal terror of a child. I read this unsettling story with my heart in my mouth.
This little gem can be read here. The End of the Party
At less than 3500 words, Graham Greene evoked, with chilling brilliance, the mortal terror of a child. I read this unsettling story with my heart in my mouth.
This little gem can be read here. The End of the Party
December 18, 2015
The short story was in sink with my emotions today. I could feel the boy's fear as it was mine, like I was his brother. I am not afraid of the dark but I have other fears creeping in at times.
January 11, 2022
A short story. You’d think that two twin boys would be excited about their birthday party today. As twins, they have telepathic communication. They both hate the pushy older girls who will be there. One boy knows his brother is terrified of playing hide and seek in the pitch-dark rooms. I know it’s fiction but I don’t like implausible endings.
I thank Laysee for posting the link to it which is here https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
Photo of the author (1904-1991) from seeantibes.com
I thank Laysee for posting the link to it which is here https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
Photo of the author (1904-1991) from seeantibes.com
August 14, 2021
Graham Greene is best known for his novels but he was also a master of the short story. Given the scope of his novels you might be surprised to see the depth and compassion and insight he brings to the small, almost claustrophobic world of two twin boys. Francis is afraid of many things, including the dark. He is terrified again as he must attend a birthday party where the lights are all turned off for hide ‘n’ seek.
“Cowardy, cowardy custard.”
His twin brother Peter, a couple of minutes older, strives to protect his “younger” brother, but their mother makes it clear they must go, and they must hide, while Peter during the game speaks comfort as if telepathically to his brother, holding his hand.
“ . . . between Francis and himself was the most intimate communion.”
All this happens with a lyrical backdrop from the very first of foreboding and shadows and dread:
“. . . a night-light had guttered into a pool of water. . .
“To Peter Morton the whole room seemed to darken, and he had the impression of a great bird swooping. . .”
“ . . . he saw a great bird darken his brother's face with its wings.”
And in the end?
“ . . . no more terror and no more--darkness.”
Captures beautifully childhood terrors, that for some reason most adults tend to forget and dismiss in the young. Part of the mood is informed by the fact that these kids are twins, with their deep psychic connection. Tis story is unsettling, compassionate, crafted by a master.
“Cowardy, cowardy custard.”
His twin brother Peter, a couple of minutes older, strives to protect his “younger” brother, but their mother makes it clear they must go, and they must hide, while Peter during the game speaks comfort as if telepathically to his brother, holding his hand.
“ . . . between Francis and himself was the most intimate communion.”
All this happens with a lyrical backdrop from the very first of foreboding and shadows and dread:
“. . . a night-light had guttered into a pool of water. . .
“To Peter Morton the whole room seemed to darken, and he had the impression of a great bird swooping. . .”
“ . . . he saw a great bird darken his brother's face with its wings.”
And in the end?
“ . . . no more terror and no more--darkness.”
Captures beautifully childhood terrors, that for some reason most adults tend to forget and dismiss in the young. Part of the mood is informed by the fact that these kids are twins, with their deep psychic connection. Tis story is unsettling, compassionate, crafted by a master.
August 30, 2021
What a marvelous little story this is. Graham Greene does a marvelous job of building the sense of foreboding right to the end, and then leaves you with a deeper meaning and a lingering question. The symbiotic relationship of twins is always an interesting phenomenon to explore as well. How versatile Greene is!
January 24, 2022
Graham Greene economically assembles words with the skill of an artist splashing colors on a canvas. In this nine page short story, he manages to shade an ordinary situation with darker hues that rapidly escalate from foreboding to malignant before the reader can take a startled breath.
On a rainswept morning, nine year old Peter Morton shudders awake as he senses that his identical twin brother Francis is in the throes of a disturbing dream. They are scheduled to attend a birthday party later in the day.Francis had an unpleasant experience at the same event last year and anticipates this year’s party with a surfeit of trepidation.
With a few well constructed scenes, Greene creates a panorama of childhood phobias and anxieties and counterbalances them with well intentioned adult insensitivity. The story hurtles quickly to its startling conclusion and left me revisiting the perils of childhood.
This wonderful story is a marvelous reminder to revisit Greene’s work. For those unfamiliar with the author, the story is a fitting introduction. It is free to read online. Unfortunately, my personal technical competence peaked with the mastery of the rotary dial phone.Fortunately, my Goodreads friend Kevin Ansbro introduced me to this story and has provided a link at the end of his excellent review.
On a rainswept morning, nine year old Peter Morton shudders awake as he senses that his identical twin brother Francis is in the throes of a disturbing dream. They are scheduled to attend a birthday party later in the day.Francis had an unpleasant experience at the same event last year and anticipates this year’s party with a surfeit of trepidation.
With a few well constructed scenes, Greene creates a panorama of childhood phobias and anxieties and counterbalances them with well intentioned adult insensitivity. The story hurtles quickly to its startling conclusion and left me revisiting the perils of childhood.
This wonderful story is a marvelous reminder to revisit Greene’s work. For those unfamiliar with the author, the story is a fitting introduction. It is free to read online. Unfortunately, my personal technical competence peaked with the mastery of the rotary dial phone.Fortunately, my Goodreads friend Kevin Ansbro introduced me to this story and has provided a link at the end of his excellent review.
January 7, 2012
The End of the Party
Written by: Graham Greene
The End of the Party
Major Characters:
Peter Morton
Francis Morton
Mrs. Henne-Falcon
Joyce
Mabel Warren
Peter and Francis are identical twins. Peter woke early in anticipation of the party they would attend later that day. He watched his brother sleep noting that it was like looking in a mirror. Later, he had to wake Francis out of a bad dream. Peter seems to know exactly what Francis was dreaming. This is how close they were.
Unlike Peter, Francis was not looking forward to attending the birthday party that would be hosted by Mrs. Henne-Falcon, for Colin Henne-Falcon. Francis remembered his bad experience with Joyce… and Mabel Warren, last year. Joyce was eleven and Mabel was thirteen, both older than him. He was not comfortable with girls. Mabel had made him scream last year when she suddenly touched him during a game, in the darkened house. Francis is afraid of the dark.
Francis thought of ways to keep from going to the party. Peter being a compassionate brother tried to help by coming up with some schemes of his own. Nothing seem to work and Francis decides to go to the party hoping that he can avoid playing hide and seek, in the dark. This seemed to be a favorite game of everyone, except Francis.
In the end, the game can not be avoided and Francis finds a place to hide. Being a concerned brother Peter tries to think of where Francis would hide so that he can go to him. He was able to find where Francis was hiding and went there to comfort him. There in the dark Peter clinched fingers with Francis to quell his fear. With his brother there Francis no long felt any fear.
I enjoyed this short story which I read as a result of reading the review of a "Goodreads" member.
Written by: Graham Greene
The End of the Party
Major Characters:
Peter Morton
Francis Morton
Mrs. Henne-Falcon
Joyce
Mabel Warren
Peter and Francis are identical twins. Peter woke early in anticipation of the party they would attend later that day. He watched his brother sleep noting that it was like looking in a mirror. Later, he had to wake Francis out of a bad dream. Peter seems to know exactly what Francis was dreaming. This is how close they were.
Unlike Peter, Francis was not looking forward to attending the birthday party that would be hosted by Mrs. Henne-Falcon, for Colin Henne-Falcon. Francis remembered his bad experience with Joyce… and Mabel Warren, last year. Joyce was eleven and Mabel was thirteen, both older than him. He was not comfortable with girls. Mabel had made him scream last year when she suddenly touched him during a game, in the darkened house. Francis is afraid of the dark.
Francis thought of ways to keep from going to the party. Peter being a compassionate brother tried to help by coming up with some schemes of his own. Nothing seem to work and Francis decides to go to the party hoping that he can avoid playing hide and seek, in the dark. This seemed to be a favorite game of everyone, except Francis.
In the end, the game can not be avoided and Francis finds a place to hide. Being a concerned brother Peter tries to think of where Francis would hide so that he can go to him. He was able to find where Francis was hiding and went there to comfort him. There in the dark Peter clinched fingers with Francis to quell his fear. With his brother there Francis no long felt any fear.
I enjoyed this short story which I read as a result of reading the review of a "Goodreads" member.
May 30, 2022
I haven't read any of Graham Greene's work and thought this frequently anthologized short story would be a good introduction.
Greene brilliantly builds narrative suspense and captures his scenes with careful and vivid descriptions. Open this up not knowing much about if for maximum effect.
You can read it here: http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/...
Greene brilliantly builds narrative suspense and captures his scenes with careful and vivid descriptions. Open this up not knowing much about if for maximum effect.
You can read it here: http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/...
August 16, 2021
A very short story from Graham Greene, available free here, although it does have some annoying typo's in it.
This was an enjoyable story about identical twin boys Peter and Francis, who are to attend a childs party where hide and seek in the dark is planned. Francis is terrified of this prospect, and Peter's ability to read Francis's thoughts lets him understand his brothers fear.
Limited characters, simple setting, very quick read, but Greene as always, delivers.
4 stars
This was an enjoyable story about identical twin boys Peter and Francis, who are to attend a childs party where hide and seek in the dark is planned. Francis is terrified of this prospect, and Peter's ability to read Francis's thoughts lets him understand his brothers fear.
Limited characters, simple setting, very quick read, but Greene as always, delivers.
4 stars
January 7, 2012
Free here: http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/...
Thank you to Wendy, Bonnie, Stephen and everyone else who has recently read and recommended this short story. I honestly don't read many short stories, and wouldn't have found this on my own.
To everyone else: You won't regret taking 10 minutes out of your day to read this.
Thank you to Wendy, Bonnie, Stephen and everyone else who has recently read and recommended this short story. I honestly don't read many short stories, and wouldn't have found this on my own.
To everyone else: You won't regret taking 10 minutes out of your day to read this.
March 26, 2024
"I'm afraid of going. I won't go. I daren't go. They'll make me hide in the dark, and I'm afraid of the dark. I'll scream and scream and scream."
Young Francis Morton was thinking of what he would have liked to say to his mother as he left for a neighbor's birthday party. Francis was the quiet, introverted brother of his more confident, extroverted twin, Peter. Francis did not enjoy playing party games, and he was terrified of playing hide and seek in the dark. He feels pressured by both the insensitive adults and the teasing children into participating in the game. Since Peter has a strong connection to his twin, he tries to help Francis in the dark house.
The ending of the game is shocking.
Thanks to Nika for the recommendation. This short story is online on the classicshorts site.
Young Francis Morton was thinking of what he would have liked to say to his mother as he left for a neighbor's birthday party. Francis was the quiet, introverted brother of his more confident, extroverted twin, Peter. Francis did not enjoy playing party games, and he was terrified of playing hide and seek in the dark. He feels pressured by both the insensitive adults and the teasing children into participating in the game. Since Peter has a strong connection to his twin, he tries to help Francis in the dark house.
The ending of the game is shocking.
Thanks to Nika for the recommendation. This short story is online on the classicshorts site.
January 7, 2012
Rating: 4* of five
The Story Synopsis: A birthday party attended by twins Peter and Francis Morton ends in tragedy.
My Review: From the mind of 9-year-old Francis Morton:
"Girls were like that. Their shoes never squeaked. No boards whined under the tread. They slunk like cats on padded claws."
Francis is limned in a few carelessly artful sentences:
"As a twin he was in many ways an only child. To address Peter was to speak to his own image in a mirror, an image a little altered by a flaw in the glass, so as to throw back less a likeness of what he was than of what he wished to be, what he would be without his unreasoning fear of darkness, footsteps of strangers, the flight of bats in dusk-filled gardens."
A game of hide-and-seek...a fear of the dark...normal childhood stuff, nothing to alarm an adult so tone-deaf to children as people, not simply charges. No one listens to him in Francis Morton's world, except his older-by-minutes twin Peter. The bond between twins is credibly portrayed, at least to the eyes of what amounts to an only child. So credibly that I never questioned it, right up to the end of the story.
It's an ending no parent, and I suspect no twin, will ever forget. Excellent, as one would expect from Graham Greene.
The Story Synopsis: A birthday party attended by twins Peter and Francis Morton ends in tragedy.
My Review: From the mind of 9-year-old Francis Morton:
"Girls were like that. Their shoes never squeaked. No boards whined under the tread. They slunk like cats on padded claws."
Francis is limned in a few carelessly artful sentences:
"As a twin he was in many ways an only child. To address Peter was to speak to his own image in a mirror, an image a little altered by a flaw in the glass, so as to throw back less a likeness of what he was than of what he wished to be, what he would be without his unreasoning fear of darkness, footsteps of strangers, the flight of bats in dusk-filled gardens."
A game of hide-and-seek...a fear of the dark...normal childhood stuff, nothing to alarm an adult so tone-deaf to children as people, not simply charges. No one listens to him in Francis Morton's world, except his older-by-minutes twin Peter. The bond between twins is credibly portrayed, at least to the eyes of what amounts to an only child. So credibly that I never questioned it, right up to the end of the story.
It's an ending no parent, and I suspect no twin, will ever forget. Excellent, as one would expect from Graham Greene.
August 15, 2021
A very good short story. Graham Greene used to be one of my favorite authors. I read all of his masterpieces. But I do not believe I read any of his short stories. Not sure why but I plan to rectify that situation, especially after reading this very fine short story. I have ‘May We Borrow Your Husband’ on my TBR list (a GR friend really liked it) and so I will read that next! 😊
January 8, 2012
He had not heard her coming. Girls were like that. Their shoes never squeaked. No boards whined under the tread. They slunk like cats on padded claws. ~The End of the Party, Graham GreeneI don't read a lot of short stories; it's not a format that appeals to me usually. However, when a story finds me that is so exceptionally good and unforgettable, so fine and filled with jagged teeth, there is no one on this green earth who will become a bigger pimp for said story.
...Graham Greene's "The End of the Party" is one of those stories.
So here I go a-pimping. First of all, I want to give a shout out to Wendy Darling and Stephen, both of who have done an awesome job pimping this story royally (without such pimpage I wouldn't even know of the story's existence).
Secondly, if I'm going to go ga-ga over a short story, there's a 99.9% chance it will have a twist ending, an ending that makes your skin crawl, or heart pound, or stomach drop down to the floor. Stories like: The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, The Jaunt or Children of the Corn by Stephen King, or the more recent sleeper hit Ponies by Kij Johnson.
This story has a twist ending that goes right for the jugular. It's not sensational, but rather filled with creep and laced with unforgetableness (now I'm just making up words as I go along; I tend to do that when I get excited). Because this classic story is written by a literary master, you know the prose is going to snap and sing. There's a sadness in the story, about the powerlessness children often feel, and how often they can find themselves in threatening situations not of their own choosing. This is a story about fear and how unrelenting and merciless it can really be if left unchecked.
Above all, Greene accomplishes so much in so few words that your jaw will gape open in amazement (and envy). He makes Every. Word. Count.
Go read it and you will see what I mean!
January 23, 2022
It is raining. A Sunday in January, hence perfectly replicating the setting of the story; but, I hope the predicament of the protagonist might never reprise. A short piece, shedding some shades on the child psychological issues and mental health.
If didactically dissecting, one lesson learned would be; Practice empathy.
"I'm afraid of the dark."
And his mother: "Don't be silly. You know there's nothing to be
afraid of in the dark."
But he knew the falsity of that reasoning; he knew how they taught also that there was nothing to fear in death, and how fearfully they avoided the idea of it.
Here's the link to the story:
https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
If didactically dissecting, one lesson learned would be; Practice empathy.
"I'm afraid of the dark."
And his mother: "Don't be silly. You know there's nothing to be
afraid of in the dark."
But he knew the falsity of that reasoning; he knew how they taught also that there was nothing to fear in death, and how fearfully they avoided the idea of it.
Here's the link to the story:
https://theshortstory.co.uk/devsitegk...
November 15, 2015
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I read the occasional short story but I can’t for the life of me remember the last one that really stuck with me. This was the most brilliantly written short story I think I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I have several Graham Greene novels on my plan-to-read-someday list but I do believe those will be moved up the list; I was blown away by the power of his writing in this extremely short story. He was able to successfully establish an ample story and a potent relationship in a little more than 3,500 words. Bravo, Mr. Greene.
'As a twin he was in many ways an only child. To address Peter was to speak to his own image in a mirror, an image a little altered by a flaw in the glass, so as to throw back less a likeness of what he was than of what he wished to be, what he would be without his unreasoning fear of darkness, footsteps of strangers, the flight of bats in dusk-filled gardens.’
Twin brothers Peter and Francis have been invited to a birthday party that Francis does not wish to attend.
”I’m afraid of going. I won’t go. I daren’t go. They’ll make me hide in the dark, and I’m afraid of the dark. I’ll scream and scream and scream.”
Regardless, the twins still end up attending. What follows is so terribly shocking and tragic. Suffice it to say, the ending left me breathless. Thank you, Wendy. Without your review I don’t believe I ever would have read this.
Free to read here.
I read the occasional short story but I can’t for the life of me remember the last one that really stuck with me. This was the most brilliantly written short story I think I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I have several Graham Greene novels on my plan-to-read-someday list but I do believe those will be moved up the list; I was blown away by the power of his writing in this extremely short story. He was able to successfully establish an ample story and a potent relationship in a little more than 3,500 words. Bravo, Mr. Greene.
'As a twin he was in many ways an only child. To address Peter was to speak to his own image in a mirror, an image a little altered by a flaw in the glass, so as to throw back less a likeness of what he was than of what he wished to be, what he would be without his unreasoning fear of darkness, footsteps of strangers, the flight of bats in dusk-filled gardens.’
Twin brothers Peter and Francis have been invited to a birthday party that Francis does not wish to attend.
”I’m afraid of going. I won’t go. I daren’t go. They’ll make me hide in the dark, and I’m afraid of the dark. I’ll scream and scream and scream.”
Regardless, the twins still end up attending. What follows is so terribly shocking and tragic. Suffice it to say, the ending left me breathless. Thank you, Wendy. Without your review I don’t believe I ever would have read this.
Free to read here.
January 3, 2016
Weird, creepy little story.... Short story with impact.
I intend to read more Greene this year.
I intend to read more Greene this year.
January 8, 2012
This story is making the rounds today, it seems. I read this story after a friend mentioned seeing Stephen's review, and he read it based on Wendy Darling's review. I love seeing books (or in this case, stories) spread like this, each person's enjoyment leading to another and another. This is what makes this site so much fun to use.
But anyway, to get to the point and review this... WOW. This story was very short, very poignant, and very intense. I've only read one other Graham Greene book, 'Travels with My Aunt' and I very much disliked it. If that book had been written like this story, I'd have loved it. I think this story may have redeemed Greene for me, actually. It's amazing what 4 pages can do.
I have a bit of a fascination with stories about twin connections, especially when one sibling is troubled and the other is not--or at least not in the same way. Wally Lamb's 'I Know This Much Is True' is one of these, and one I highly recommend. It's not an easy read, but it is fascinating to me.
This one was different, but the connection between the brothers, their relationship with each other and in comparison with the other is a huge part of the story. One particular passage stood out to me:
'The End of the Party' reminded me a bit of my all time favorite short story, 'All Summer In A Day' by Ray Bradbury. Both pertain to groups of children, both have one "outcast" of the group, both have a whopper of an ending, and both are very emotionally raw stories that hurt my heart and linger there for a long, long time. I won't soon forget this story, just as I've never forgotten 'All Summer In A Day', even after all this time.
For being so short, this book packs a punch. Highly recommended.
But anyway, to get to the point and review this... WOW. This story was very short, very poignant, and very intense. I've only read one other Graham Greene book, 'Travels with My Aunt' and I very much disliked it. If that book had been written like this story, I'd have loved it. I think this story may have redeemed Greene for me, actually. It's amazing what 4 pages can do.
I have a bit of a fascination with stories about twin connections, especially when one sibling is troubled and the other is not--or at least not in the same way. Wally Lamb's 'I Know This Much Is True' is one of these, and one I highly recommend. It's not an easy read, but it is fascinating to me.
This one was different, but the connection between the brothers, their relationship with each other and in comparison with the other is a huge part of the story. One particular passage stood out to me:
"To address Peter was to speak to his own image in a mirror, an image a little altered by a flaw in the glass, so as to throw back less a likeness of what he was than of what he wished to be, what he would be without his unreasoning fear of darkness, footsteps of strangers, the flight of bats in dusk-filled gardens."I really felt this... the way that little Francis would want to be like the stronger, elder brother - self-reliant and sure and brave.
'The End of the Party' reminded me a bit of my all time favorite short story, 'All Summer In A Day' by Ray Bradbury. Both pertain to groups of children, both have one "outcast" of the group, both have a whopper of an ending, and both are very emotionally raw stories that hurt my heart and linger there for a long, long time. I won't soon forget this story, just as I've never forgotten 'All Summer In A Day', even after all this time.
For being so short, this book packs a punch. Highly recommended.
January 9, 2012
I read this powerful story after enjoying Wendy Darling’s wonderful review, and following her link to it. In the hands of a master writer, a short story can speak volumes about the human condition, and the joys and pain that life can bring - so much so that you may be left shaking your head. In this case, you may also notice that your heart is still pounding as your mind struggles to digest the last of it.
Identical twins can have shared secrets, and parallel thoughts, that most of us can only glimpse through stories like this one. Secret fears, on the other hand, are present in greater or lesser degree for all of us. We can run from them, but we cannot hide from our own thought processes, and there are times when we can’t control them either. In the right time and circumstance, such fears can literally take over our lives.
The neuroscientist in me has some understanding of how our brains can do such things to us, but I will restrain myself from that digression here. Well, except for saying that the thinking, reasoning brain can be overwhelmed, at least briefly, by the primal fear response. As adults, we can develop mental tricks to regain control. But children are still developing the circuitry and the techniques for doing this, and they may not be so lucky.
In this masterfully written tale, one identical twin can read the other’s thoughts, and can understand the desperation to avoid a situation that will expose a secret fear, without feeling that fear himself. These plot elements play out in a spellbinding tale that quickens the pulse, and reveals the mysterious power of the mind for both good and ill. For me, it was a great reminder of just how much meaning and drama can be packed into a few thousand exquisitely chosen words. Very highly recommended.
Identical twins can have shared secrets, and parallel thoughts, that most of us can only glimpse through stories like this one. Secret fears, on the other hand, are present in greater or lesser degree for all of us. We can run from them, but we cannot hide from our own thought processes, and there are times when we can’t control them either. In the right time and circumstance, such fears can literally take over our lives.
The neuroscientist in me has some understanding of how our brains can do such things to us, but I will restrain myself from that digression here. Well, except for saying that the thinking, reasoning brain can be overwhelmed, at least briefly, by the primal fear response. As adults, we can develop mental tricks to regain control. But children are still developing the circuitry and the techniques for doing this, and they may not be so lucky.
In this masterfully written tale, one identical twin can read the other’s thoughts, and can understand the desperation to avoid a situation that will expose a secret fear, without feeling that fear himself. These plot elements play out in a spellbinding tale that quickens the pulse, and reveals the mysterious power of the mind for both good and ill. For me, it was a great reminder of just how much meaning and drama can be packed into a few thousand exquisitely chosen words. Very highly recommended.
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March 30, 2024A short story, very well written by Graham Greene.
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