Delicious!
A wonderful, multifaceted tale. It occurs to me that Dickens took the form of the eighteenth-century English novelists (a young man going through many episodes of travel and adventure as he comes of age) here and improved on it vastly.
Just as I was beginning to wish this novel was a short story, it took an unexpected turn and I was glad that I had 300 more pages or so to go (it's a 700-page book). It was fortuitous that I read it just after finishing _Nicholas Nickleby_. Like Nicholas, Maugham's hero, Phillip Carey, keeps reinventing himself and varying his stage and adventures. Phillip Carey, though, has no dependents for whom to toil. He is on a quest for freedom while all the time being bound by his own passions. Not until he submits to the yoke of common morality does he become free. To me, this book is a rewrite of the searchings in the book of Ecclesiastes. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." Fortunately, the ending is left for the reader to write, and I think it comes out very well indeed.
I didn't finish reading this book because Dickens didn't finish writing it. (He died instead, thus creating a real mystery.) As Chesterton wrote, "And alone, perhaps, among detective-story writers, he never lived to destroy his mystery."
Such a sad story!
It's really too bad that Freud had to take it over.
I'm amazed at the way Dickens took so many themes and streams and wove them all together to form a satisfying conclusion in this long novel. He did an excellent job with his only female narrator, too.
Beautiful and ingenious.
Psilly and pfun!
Almost every sentence of this book is a miniature miracle. What a great primer for would-be writers of any genre! It's hard to say what impressed me more--the observations Dillard made in a year around, on, and in the creek, her wonderful style, her evolving philosophy of life, or her vast variety of literary allusions. They all work together to form a memorable experience that I will want to return to again and again. I don't know why it took me so long to discover this wonderful volume.
Forgettable (fortunately).
One of my favorites.
Bible: Exodus
Choisya wrote:What a great idea. Alas, far fewer men play cricket these days so I think there would be difficulty in recruiting such a team today
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Laurel wrote:What fun! Can't you just see G.K. Chesterton playing cricket?
I will try very hard to keep my chin up
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Laurel wrote:
Poor Choisya! I hope you don't get too bored and chilled on the trip.
Have a great time!
Choisya wrote:
I am in Florence from Monday to Friday next week and one of my planned visits is to Dante's house, which is now a Museum dedicated to him. I will report back upon my return.
Choisya wrote:I will try very hard to keep my chin up
Laurel wrote:
Poor Choisya! I hope you don't get too bored and chilled on the trip.
Have a great time!
Choisya wrote:
I am in Florence from Monday to Friday next week and one of my planned visits is to Dante's house, which is now a Museum dedicated to him. I will report back upon my return
Showdown (Paradis Series #1)
Has anyone ever read this book?! This is one of THEEE strangest stories I've ever read, but I really liked it. I will say I had NO idea exactly as to what was going on until like a little before half way through it! Very VERY interesting story. Has anyone else read this?
