Brighton Rock

Graham Greene's novel tells a story about gangsters operating in Brighton, in the inter-war years. These are two illustrations for key moments in the story.

This is when Fred Hale, seated, first encounters the teenage gang leader, Pinkie.

Pinkie 'dropped his empty glass on to the floor. 'The gentleman'll pay,' he said to the barman and swung through the door of the private lounge. It was then Hale realised they meant to murder him.'

This scene took place on the pier at night. Pinkie, thinking the young waitress Rose has, unknowingly, crucial evidence against him, decides to intimidate her.

''They spoilt her looks. She lost one eye. They splashed vitriol in her face.' Rose whispered, 'Vitriol? What's vitriol?' ... He showed her the little bottle. 'That's vitriol ... smell it,' and he thrust the bottle under her nose.'