'A Burnt-Out Case' (1960) by Graham Greene

'A Burnt-Out Case' by Graham Greene is a psychological novel exploring themes of faith, disillusionment, and personal redemption. Set in a remote leper colony in the Belgian Congo, the novel follows the journey of Querry, a world-weary and emotionally detached architect who seeks refuge from his past and the emptiness of his life.

Plot Summary:
Querry, once a renowned architect, arrives at the leper colony disillusioned with his fame, relationships, and faith. He is compared to a "burnt-out case"—a leprosy patient who has lost sensation and undergone physical mutilation but is no longer contagious. The head doctor, Dr. Colin, recognizes that Querry's emotional numbness mirrors the physical condition of these patients.

As Querry immerses himself in the colony's work, he finds a measure of peace by contributing his architectural skills to improve the lives of the patients. However, his attempt to live anonymously is disrupted when a local journalist, Rycker, and his young wife become obsessed with his identity and presumed spiritual transformation. Misunderstandings and gossip begin to spread, casting Querry as a saintly figure—a role he vehemently rejects.

Tensions escalate when Rycker’s wife develops romantic feelings for Querry. Despite his efforts to remain detached, these entanglements lead to tragedy. By the novel’s end, Querry is confronted by the consequences of others’ perceptions of him, and his search for meaning reaches a fatal conclusion.

Themes:
Spiritual Crisis and Faith: Querry's struggle reflects Greene’s recurring exploration of Catholic guilt, the absence of belief, and the search for meaning in a morally complex world.

Disillusionment and Identity: The novel examines how public personas can obscure personal truth, and how others project their expectations onto those seeking anonymity.

Suffering and Redemption: The metaphor of the "burnt-out case" symbolizes both physical and emotional healing—though some wounds may never fully recover.

Legacy:
'A Burnt-Out Case' is regarded as one of Greene’s more introspective novels, marked by its subtle psychological depth and moral ambiguity. It reflects Greene’s own struggles with faith and his critical view of colonialism and human hypocrisy.