The Power and the GloryThe Power and the Glory
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1930s Mexico, in a state where the Catholic Church has been outlawed and priests are shot, one priest is still on the run. He's a drunk, a coward and the father of a child, and he knows he's a poor priest. A dedicated police lieutenant, who believes the church has kept the poor down, is hunting him.
Why it's worth reading
It's on TIME's list of the 100 best novels and is often called Graham Greene's masterpiece. It's a gripping chase and a profound story about faith and failure.
You'll love it if you liked
The Heart of the Matter
Brideshead Revisited
To Kill a MockingbirdGood to know
It's short. The priest is never named.
By the numbers
- Readers43 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics59 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller18 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #78 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #407 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1395 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by Graham Greene
The Heart of the Matter
The End of the Affair
Travels with My AuntIf you like this, read next
War and Peace
Ragtime
The Cider House Rules
The Magnificent Ambersons
My Brilliant Friend
A Tale of Two CitiesExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Power and the Glory worth reading?
Yes. It's on TIME's list of the 100 best novels and is often called Graham Greene's masterpiece. It ranks #1,395 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Power and the Glory about?
In 1930s Mexico, in a state where the Catholic Church has been outlawed and priests are shot, one priest is still on the run. He's a drunk, a coward and the father of a child, and he knows he's a poor priest. A dedicated police lieutenant, who believes the church has kept the poor down, is hunting him.
How long does it take to read The Power and the Glory?
About 5 hours (213 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Power and the Glory?
If you liked it, try The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.