Graham Greene

This story tells of Charley Fortnum, the 'Honorary Consul', a whisky-sodden figure of dubious authority kidnapped by a group of revolutionaries. As local doctor, Eduardo Plarr, negotiates for Fortnum's release, their corruption becomes evident.

Initially, this seems to be a matter of straightforward negotiation, but soon, implicated in murder, accused of possessing false documents and theft, held responsible for the death of a young woman, D becomes a hunted man, tormented by allegiances, doubts and the love of others.

'In Search of Character' contains two African notebooks. 'Congo Journal' records Graham Greene's travels in 1959, and his stay at the Yonda leper colony in the jungle which inspired the story for A Burnt-Out Case. 'Convoy to West Africa' describes Greene's voyage in a cargo boat during the Second World War.