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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This was a lovely follow-on from Villette as I unknowingly was exposed to my first Psychological Realism novels.
I think psychological realism can in premise be quite boring because, you know, all those details over the mundane- but this really wasn't. This was a man living on the outskirts of society, that way because he was cynical and didn't "fit the mould", which isn't a fun place to be in 1964. We see the difficulties that George faces as a gay man in the 60s, where he had to belittle his relationship with his partner, and turn it into "roommate", to hide it from a slowly developing, but still homophobic society. That was only a small part of the book though, as you'd hope for in a novel in the 1960s, where commercialism and consumerism were just making their boom, or at least it started to become inherent in Western culture, you get a view of it from someone who is not impressed. The Californian hills are being overdeveloped, the view of the hills are being blocked from the park for overpriced high-rises, where if you want the view you have to pay for it - and George fantasises about knocking the whole thing down. He lives in an area that was developed by hippies trying to escape consumerism, but most of them are gone now, just like that way of life.
Also there were some fascinating insights into the post-war culture. I learnt a fair bit about it to say it was a short theme of the novel. Something as small as gas prices INSTANTLY dropping as soon as the war was over, and how everyone made the most of it and started travelling. A bar that had a sign saying 'Close immediately in case of bombing', knowing that a boat of Japenese really were just off the coast. Not just that, but the hint of the treatment that Japanese American's got during the 2nd world war, which I really had no idea about. I knew there was a lot of racism, but I didn't know how badly the citizens were treated... That was shocking.
And then there's the talk of literature! James Joyce, Wuthering Heights, Aldous Huxley, it was lovely seeing these gems mentioned! I never knew I wanted a novel about a literature professor, but I need more (more like George though and less like Emanuel Paul).
Speaking of Emanuel Paul, this is the 2nd novel in a row I've read where (SPOILER) 1 of the main characters die. Infact, that's interesting that they're both psychological realism. I guess the somewhat 'dreary' nature of the genre naturally cultivates a heartbreaking ending. I'd just started to become friends with George. It went from observing him, to really caring for this isolated, lonely old man. And then that ending happened. Why! (Also, I feel like I'm the only one suspecting Kenny of doing it...).
The ending had started to get a little bizarre actually, but you know what, at least we got to see George feeling free and happy, and ready to accept the future for what it was. He got his happy ending (literally with 1 of those final scenes there lol, another literature first for me!).
But overall, wonderful. 4.25 stars
(didn't love how women were portrayed but not really what the novel was about)
I think psychological realism can in premise be quite boring because, you know, all those details over the mundane- but this really wasn't. This was a man living on the outskirts of society, that way because he was cynical and didn't "fit the mould", which isn't a fun place to be in 1964. We see the difficulties that George faces as a gay man in the 60s, where he had to belittle his relationship with his partner, and turn it into "roommate", to hide it from a slowly developing, but still homophobic society. That was only a small part of the book though, as you'd hope for in a novel in the 1960s, where commercialism and consumerism were just making their boom, or at least it started to become inherent in Western culture, you get a view of it from someone who is not impressed. The Californian hills are being overdeveloped, the view of the hills are being blocked from the park for overpriced high-rises, where if you want the view you have to pay for it - and George fantasises about knocking the whole thing down. He lives in an area that was developed by hippies trying to escape consumerism, but most of them are gone now, just like that way of life.
Also there were some fascinating insights into the post-war culture. I learnt a fair bit about it to say it was a short theme of the novel. Something as small as gas prices INSTANTLY dropping as soon as the war was over, and how everyone made the most of it and started travelling. A bar that had a sign saying 'Close immediately in case of bombing', knowing that a boat of Japenese really were just off the coast. Not just that, but the hint of the treatment that Japanese American's got during the 2nd world war, which I really had no idea about. I knew there was a lot of racism, but I didn't know how badly the citizens were treated... That was shocking.
And then there's the talk of literature! James Joyce, Wuthering Heights, Aldous Huxley, it was lovely seeing these gems mentioned! I never knew I wanted a novel about a literature professor, but I need more (more like George though and less like Emanuel Paul).
Speaking of Emanuel Paul, this is the 2nd novel in a row I've read where (SPOILER) 1 of the main characters die. Infact, that's interesting that they're both psychological realism. I guess the somewhat 'dreary' nature of the genre naturally cultivates a heartbreaking ending. I'd just started to become friends with George. It went from observing him, to really caring for this isolated, lonely old man. And then that ending happened. Why! (Also, I feel like I'm the only one suspecting Kenny of doing it...).
The ending had started to get a little bizarre actually, but you know what, at least we got to see George feeling free and happy, and ready to accept the future for what it was. He got his happy ending (literally with 1 of those final scenes there lol, another literature first for me!).
But overall, wonderful. 4.25 stars
(didn't love how women were portrayed but not really what the novel was about)
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First Isherwood novel! Loved the description of George selling a Diamond for a nickel. Also, it is fascinating when a book takes place over 24 hours.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Beautiful prose as expected, but Isherwood does sometimes make it unnecessarily so. And indeed social observation is his biggest strength.
I must admit watching Tom Ford’s adaptation first may have dampened this a little bit, because Ford’s modification to to story was a stroke of genius! Figuring out the beauty of life and connections when one is considering giving them up creates a much more tangible stake than simply a repressed rage of loss. It makes George’s motivation to go beyond conventionality to search for joy, as in meeting up with Charlotte or jumping in the ocean with Kenny, more believable. For a book that is heavy on stream of consciousness, Isherwood describes surprisingly little of these important moments.
I must admit watching Tom Ford’s adaptation first may have dampened this a little bit, because Ford’s modification to to story was a stroke of genius! Figuring out the beauty of life and connections when one is considering giving them up creates a much more tangible stake than simply a repressed rage of loss. It makes George’s motivation to go beyond conventionality to search for joy, as in meeting up with Charlotte or jumping in the ocean with Kenny, more believable. For a book that is heavy on stream of consciousness, Isherwood describes surprisingly little of these important moments.
DNF a third of the way through because I was struggling. I cannot fault the quality of the writing, I see why so many people like Isherwood. The start was strong, and what was said about Jim really held me, but the meandering lack of plot beyond that point made a thin volume feel like a slog. Also, I recognise the time period in which it was written, and therefore differing attitudes to race and language, but describing the POC students like animals put me off kilter and I don't think there was enough there to get me back enjoying it again.
A bit disappointed in this book. Given the summary I was very excited to read this book. However, I think it deals with very little of what the summary has, and more of a day to day life of a man living and working. A bit dry and boring at times. The highlights were the few times he actually talks about his dead partner and the flirtatious interaction he has towards the end.
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful prose. Lots of racism, sexism, xenophobia from the speaker is portrayed as uncouth by other characters reactions, but not much growth. Very much a “I want everyone to die but not them bc they’re also a minority but I wouldn’t want to be their neighbours” approach, while highlighting how Hard it is to be a gay man bc no one wants you be your neighbour
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia