Book & Authors

This is a list of other books and authors mentioned in The Third Man with a note of reference.

Dextor had been ranked as a stylist with Henry James, but he has a wider feminine streak than his master - indeed his enemies have sometimes described his subtle, complex, wavering style as old-maidish.

"Mr. Dexter, could you tell us what author has chiefly influenced you?"  

Martins, without thinking, said, "Grey."  He meant of course the author of Riders of the Purple Sage, and he was pleased to find his reply gave general satisfaction  - to all save an elderly Austrian who asked, "Grey.  What Grey?  I do not know the name."

"What was Shakespeare?"
Somebody with great daring said, "A poet."

"And, James Joyce, where would you put James Joyce, Mr. Dexter?"

A number of names were simultaneously flung at Martins - little sharp pointed names like Stein, round pebbles like Woolf.

A young Austrian with an ardent intellectual black forelock called out, "Daphne du Maurier," and Mr. Crabbin winced and looked sideways at Martins.  He said in an undertone, "Be kind to them."

An elderly Austrian said, "Is there any writer in England today of the stature of the late John Galsworthy?"