Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Our Man in Havana summary
Brief summary
Set in 1950s Cuba, this satirical novel follows the misadventures of Jim Wormold, a vacuum cleaner salesman turned reluctant secret agent. With humorous wit and sharp observations, Greene delves into the world of espionage and political intrigue.
Topics
Table of Contents
Our Man in Havana
Summary of key ideas
The Unlikely Spy
In Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene, we are introduced to James Wormold, a vacuum cleaner salesman living in Havana. Wormold is a single father to his teenage daughter, Milly, and is struggling to make ends meet. When he is approached by MI6 to become a spy, he initially declines, but the promise of a steady income and the need to provide for his daughter leads him to accept the offer.
Despite having no experience in espionage, Wormold takes on the role of a secret agent. He begins to fabricate reports, creating a network of fictional agents and inventing elaborate military installations. To his surprise, his reports are taken seriously by his superiors in London, and he is soon promoted within the organization.
The Deception Unravels
As Wormold's fabricated reports become increasingly elaborate, he finds himself in a web of deceit that he struggles to maintain. His daughter, Milly, becomes involved in his spy games, and he fears for her safety. Wormold's conscience begins to weigh heavily on him, and he realizes the danger of his situation.
Things take a darker turn when his fictional agents start turning up dead. Wormold realizes that his fabricated reports have been taken as genuine intelligence, leading to real-life consequences. He is now in a precarious position, caught in a web of his own lies and facing the wrath of those who have been deceived.
A Desperate Escape
With his life in danger, Wormold decides to flee Havana with his daughter. He concocts a plan to expose the truth about his fake reports and the non-existent agents. He sends a final, detailed report to London, revealing the entire deception. He hopes that this act of honesty will save his life and protect his daughter.
However, his plan takes an unexpected turn when his report is intercepted by his superiors, who see it as a sign of his loyalty and dedication. Instead of being punished, Wormold is offered a new assignment in London. Realizing that he cannot escape the world of espionage, he accepts the offer, hoping for a fresh start.
The Irony of Espionage
In the end, Our Man in Havana presents a scathing critique of the world of espionage. The novel highlights the absurdity and danger of a system built on deception and misinformation. Wormold, an ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances, becomes a reluctant spy, forced to navigate a world of lies and betrayals.
As the story concludes, we are left with a sense of irony. Wormold, who initially entered the world of espionage out of desperation, finds himself unable to escape it. His attempt to expose the truth only reinforces the lies, and he remains entangled in a world where reality and fiction are indistinguishable.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Our Man in Havana about?
Set in Cuba during the Cold War, "Our Man in Havana" follows the story of a vacuum cleaner salesman turned secret agent, who fabricates intelligence reports to earn extra income. As his fake reports gain attention from both the British and Cuban governments, the protagonist finds himself caught in a web of deceit and danger. This satirical novel offers a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on the world of espionage and political intrigue.
Our Man in Havana Review
Our Man in Havana (1958) follows the story of a vacuum cleaner salesman turned spy in Cuba, providing a satirical take on espionage and government intelligence. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Features a humorous and engaging narrative that cleverly explores the absurdities of espionage and the intricacies of human nature.
- Blends subtle social commentary with wit and irony, offering a fresh perspective on political intrigue and deception.
- The unpredictable plot twists and intriguing characters ensure that the book remains thoroughly entertaining and far from dull.
Who should read Our Man in Havana?
- Readers who enjoy espionage and spy novels
- Those interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and moral dilemmas
- Individuals who appreciate satirical and darkly humorous storytelling
Categories with Our Man in Havana
Book summaries like Our Man in Havana
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
38 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Our Man in Havana FAQs
What is the main message of Our Man in Havana?
Satirical tale on espionage and human folly.
How long does it take to read Our Man in Havana?
Reading time varies, while the Blinkist summary takes about 15 minutes.
Is Our Man in Havana a good book? Is it worth reading?
The book offers a witty critique of the intelligence world, making it a worthwhile read.
Who is the author of Our Man in Havana?
Graham Greene is the author of Our Man in Havana.
What to read after Our Man in Havana?
If you're wondering what to read next after Our Man in Havana, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher