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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
Thackeray's first, written at a time when he was greatly embittered (more than usual), and it shows. He's far too blunt and shows very little cleverness in his attempts at social humour. He's like a less refined Austen. Though he looks at subjects she would never go near so directly, the social observations are just the same only not as well written, making it more than a little disappointing. There's never a "did you catch that? I missed it the first time around" in any character's hypocrisy. No, we're hit over the head with it. Every joke is shoved in your face, every flaw fully exposed, and it spoils everything. That said, I'm a little fond of stupid, awful, vile Redmond Barry. Lord knows why.
Redmond Barry (poi Barry Lyndon) è il rampollo di un prestigioso casato irlandese che nel settecento si trova a vivere il suo crepuscolo sociale.
Attraverso il racconto in prima persona conosceremo le vicissitudini che hanno portato Redmond dalle pene d’amore nella natìa Irlanda ai campi di battaglia della guerra franco-prussiana e poi nelle migliori corti europee fino al ritorno in patria.
Redmond è un personaggio particolare, incarna perfettamente nel bene e soprattutto nel male, l’aristocratico settecentesco convinto di essere superiore a tanti altri uomini per diritto divino, sempre pronto a giudicare gli altri con saccenza tanto quanto è indulgente con le proprie mancanze.
Misogino fino al parossismo e indolente verso tutto ció che comporta fatica ci troveremo ora a volerlo prendere a schiaffi e ora a volerlo prendere a calci nel sedere.
Peró, se ci limitassimo a giudicare Barry Lyndon con le categorie morali dei nostri tempi gli faremmo un torto poichè Thackeray ci ha offerto una finestra sulla storia di un secolo - il 700 - alla fine del quale c’è stato il crollo dell’Ancien Régime che ha travolto tutti i Barry Lyndon d’Europa.
Attraverso il racconto in prima persona conosceremo le vicissitudini che hanno portato Redmond dalle pene d’amore nella natìa Irlanda ai campi di battaglia della guerra franco-prussiana e poi nelle migliori corti europee fino al ritorno in patria.
Redmond è un personaggio particolare, incarna perfettamente nel bene e soprattutto nel male, l’aristocratico settecentesco convinto di essere superiore a tanti altri uomini per diritto divino, sempre pronto a giudicare gli altri con saccenza tanto quanto è indulgente con le proprie mancanze.
Misogino fino al parossismo e indolente verso tutto ció che comporta fatica ci troveremo ora a volerlo prendere a schiaffi e ora a volerlo prendere a calci nel sedere.
Peró, se ci limitassimo a giudicare Barry Lyndon con le categorie morali dei nostri tempi gli faremmo un torto poichè Thackeray ci ha offerto una finestra sulla storia di un secolo - il 700 - alla fine del quale c’è stato il crollo dell’Ancien Régime che ha travolto tutti i Barry Lyndon d’Europa.
Conosciuto più per il romanzo che gli diede la fama, La fiera della vanità, nel 1844 Thackeray scrisse questo libro, a cui è ispirato il film cult del 1975 di Stanley Kubrik, il cui titolo integrale è "Le memorie del gentiluomo Barry Lyndon, del regno d'Irlanda. Comprendenti un resoconto delle sue straordinarie avventure e sventure; le sue sofferenze al servizio di Sua Maestà il defunto Re di Prussia; le sue visite a numerose corti d'Europa; il suo matrimonio e le sue splendide dimore in Inghilterra e Irlanda; e le molte e crudeli persecuzioni, cospirazioni, e calunnie di cui egli è stato vittima.".
Originariamente pubblicato a puntate, si tratta di un romanzo picaresco, scritto in prima persona, in cui il protagonista ci racconta la sua vita alla continua ricerca di una posizione sociale, Barry si dilunga a raccontare avventure, disgrazie e fortune che incontra nel suo percorso di maturità; è chiaramente un romanzo ironico che punta alla critica di una società egoista e corrotta. Temi assoluti sono il gioco e la truffa che ripercorrono interamente il romanzo, la critica alla scalata sociale attraverso personaggi spregiudicati e la condanna alla ricerca facile di denaro.
Fastidioso il fatto che la narrazione anticipi molte volte gli eventi che susseguiranno e assolutamente detestabile il protagonista: Barry è il personaggio più arrogante ed egoista che abbia incontrato, si da troppe arie e si atteggia da "so-tutto-io", estremamente vanitoso si considera un uomo di bell'aspetto, colto e intelligente quando, ovviamente, la maggior parte delle doti e dei pregi che vanta non gli appartengono.
Non stento a credere però che Barry Lyndon sia considerato un capolavoro dell'ironia perchè effettivamente è così: per tutto il corso del romanzo non c'è parola che esca dalla bocca dei personaggi a cui l'autore non dia un senso ironico, tutto è impregnato da questa vena umoristica che all'inizio colpisce e diverte il lettore ma piano piano inizia a stancare.
Il romanzo purtroppo è solamente un elenco stancante di avventure roccambolesche che capitano al protagonista, Barry sembra essere sempre un passo avanti al destino a giocargli brutti scherzi, è sempre lui che sceglie la sua strada, è lui che si crea il suo destino.
Purtroppo, come dice il mio voto, il romanzo se all'inizio può colpire per "l'originalità" alla fine stanca, diventando lento e prolisso, il fatto di anticipare gli eventi non è una cosa che apprezzo e il protagonista è veramente insopportabile.
Thackeray ci rincontreremo più in là.
Originariamente pubblicato a puntate, si tratta di un romanzo picaresco, scritto in prima persona, in cui il protagonista ci racconta la sua vita alla continua ricerca di una posizione sociale, Barry si dilunga a raccontare avventure, disgrazie e fortune che incontra nel suo percorso di maturità; è chiaramente un romanzo ironico che punta alla critica di una società egoista e corrotta. Temi assoluti sono il gioco e la truffa che ripercorrono interamente il romanzo, la critica alla scalata sociale attraverso personaggi spregiudicati e la condanna alla ricerca facile di denaro.
Fastidioso il fatto che la narrazione anticipi molte volte gli eventi che susseguiranno e assolutamente detestabile il protagonista: Barry è il personaggio più arrogante ed egoista che abbia incontrato, si da troppe arie e si atteggia da "so-tutto-io", estremamente vanitoso si considera un uomo di bell'aspetto, colto e intelligente quando, ovviamente, la maggior parte delle doti e dei pregi che vanta non gli appartengono.
Non stento a credere però che Barry Lyndon sia considerato un capolavoro dell'ironia perchè effettivamente è così: per tutto il corso del romanzo non c'è parola che esca dalla bocca dei personaggi a cui l'autore non dia un senso ironico, tutto è impregnato da questa vena umoristica che all'inizio colpisce e diverte il lettore ma piano piano inizia a stancare.
Il romanzo purtroppo è solamente un elenco stancante di avventure roccambolesche che capitano al protagonista, Barry sembra essere sempre un passo avanti al destino a giocargli brutti scherzi, è sempre lui che sceglie la sua strada, è lui che si crea il suo destino.
Purtroppo, come dice il mio voto, il romanzo se all'inizio può colpire per "l'originalità" alla fine stanca, diventando lento e prolisso, il fatto di anticipare gli eventi non è una cosa che apprezzo e il protagonista è veramente insopportabile.
Thackeray ci rincontreremo più in là.
The great director Stanley Kubrick once noted that he believed it beneficial to work with lesser-known works of literature as the basis for his films because he could then take a story that already existed and mold it into a superior creation that he could safely call his own. And with the exception of Lolita, A Clockwork Orange, and the Shining (each of which are major literary events in their own right), he followed this very rule; and to great success, I must add. This holds true for Barry Lyndon, as Kubrick's adaptation of Thackeray's novel is superior because if any one film could be labeled as a painting, it's this one. That, and the wonderful costume design and direction provided by Kubrick means that poor Thackeray could never compete, even on his best of days.
But, this isn't to say that Thackeray's novel, written in the 19th century, is without its own merits. As a period piece, it's undeniably well-written, and if one fancies life during this particular time period, filled with copious amounts of gambling and ornate costume design, then it's a must read. The problem, however, is that though Thackeray is a good writer (hell, during his lifetime he was second only to Dickens), his novel does feel tedious, and it barely makes its way past three-hundred pages. Therefore, one really has to possess the desire to put up with Barry Lyndon and his haughty behavior, as he mistreats nearly everyone he meets and believes himself superior to each person he encounters as well. This isn't easily done, I must admit; but there's enough intrigue here to help the reader finish the memoirs, as Lyndon's life is seldom boring. I think, though, that the reason that I am claiming to enjoy this novel more than I probably did is because, unfortunately, there is a Barry Lyndon in all of us. This stems from the reality that it is a very human quality to believe that we are better than others, even though we really aren't; because, let's be honest, how many hypocrites and self-righteous jerks have we each encountered online or elsewhere (myself included)? And Lyndon possesses this quality in spades. Throughout his memoirs, one becomes privy to his supposed superior wit, intelligence, and physicality against all the people whom he comes across throughout his myriad adventures. This only serves, however, to demonstrate how much of a loser Lyndon really is, which is Thackeray's point after all. He's a horrible person who gaslights Lady Lyndon (as well as commits many transparent infidelities against her, too) and ruins her fortune and property because of his uncontrollable love of gambling and other interests. The reader gets this, but sadly Lyndon dies thinking he's a great humanitarian, though there are a few glimpses of humbleness when he becomes cognizant of his many wrongdoings. But they're not enough to redeem him, though getting the reader to sympathize with Lyndon is, again, not Thackeray's end goal here. Other than a portrait of this type of life, and what I mentioned above in regards to how one perceives Lyndon, I'm not sure what his point is, actually.
I digress, though. As I said, this is a well-written little novel that has been mostly forgotten, and if it weren't for Kubrick's adaptation I'd be willing to bet that it would be long lost and confined to the time it was written, which cannot be said for Vanity Fair. What I enjoyed most from this work is the hilarious names that Thackeray subscribes to his many characters, of which the myriad hilarities escape me now, which suggest that Thackeray didn't take his subject too seriously. And, to an even greater emotional success, he opposes this farcical tone and treats Lady Lyndon's tragic demise with care and sincerity. I challenge the reader not to feel bad for this poor woman as she crosses paths with Lyndon and his treacherous ways. And the fact that it's hinted that she even almost returns to him after she escapes is utterly heartbreaking and demonstrates just what a psychological number Lyndon had done to her. It's this latter part of the novel that sells it for me and where I can honestly recommend it to other readers with a clear conscience.
But, this isn't to say that Thackeray's novel, written in the 19th century, is without its own merits. As a period piece, it's undeniably well-written, and if one fancies life during this particular time period, filled with copious amounts of gambling and ornate costume design, then it's a must read. The problem, however, is that though Thackeray is a good writer (hell, during his lifetime he was second only to Dickens), his novel does feel tedious, and it barely makes its way past three-hundred pages. Therefore, one really has to possess the desire to put up with Barry Lyndon and his haughty behavior, as he mistreats nearly everyone he meets and believes himself superior to each person he encounters as well. This isn't easily done, I must admit; but there's enough intrigue here to help the reader finish the memoirs, as Lyndon's life is seldom boring. I think, though, that the reason that I am claiming to enjoy this novel more than I probably did is because, unfortunately, there is a Barry Lyndon in all of us. This stems from the reality that it is a very human quality to believe that we are better than others, even though we really aren't; because, let's be honest, how many hypocrites and self-righteous jerks have we each encountered online or elsewhere (myself included)? And Lyndon possesses this quality in spades. Throughout his memoirs, one becomes privy to his supposed superior wit, intelligence, and physicality against all the people whom he comes across throughout his myriad adventures. This only serves, however, to demonstrate how much of a loser Lyndon really is, which is Thackeray's point after all. He's a horrible person who gaslights Lady Lyndon (as well as commits many transparent infidelities against her, too) and ruins her fortune and property because of his uncontrollable love of gambling and other interests. The reader gets this, but sadly Lyndon dies thinking he's a great humanitarian, though there are a few glimpses of humbleness when he becomes cognizant of his many wrongdoings. But they're not enough to redeem him, though getting the reader to sympathize with Lyndon is, again, not Thackeray's end goal here. Other than a portrait of this type of life, and what I mentioned above in regards to how one perceives Lyndon, I'm not sure what his point is, actually.
I digress, though. As I said, this is a well-written little novel that has been mostly forgotten, and if it weren't for Kubrick's adaptation I'd be willing to bet that it would be long lost and confined to the time it was written, which cannot be said for Vanity Fair. What I enjoyed most from this work is the hilarious names that Thackeray subscribes to his many characters, of which the myriad hilarities escape me now, which suggest that Thackeray didn't take his subject too seriously. And, to an even greater emotional success, he opposes this farcical tone and treats Lady Lyndon's tragic demise with care and sincerity. I challenge the reader not to feel bad for this poor woman as she crosses paths with Lyndon and his treacherous ways. And the fact that it's hinted that she even almost returns to him after she escapes is utterly heartbreaking and demonstrates just what a psychological number Lyndon had done to her. It's this latter part of the novel that sells it for me and where I can honestly recommend it to other readers with a clear conscience.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Somehow this book felt like it was going so slowly, but at the same time a lot was happening. It was hard to keep track of everything because of everything that was going on, but also because the writing style was quite boring. It just kept going on and on and on. Vanity Fair is also on my list and I hope that one will be better than Barry Lyndon, because otherwise, Thackeray is just not my kind of author.
Αυτό ήταν το τέταρτο βιβλίο που έγινε ταινία από τον Στάνλει Κιούμπρικ που διαβάζω φέτος
Τα άλλα ήταν Η Λάμψη, 2001: Οδύσσεια του Διαστήματος, και Ονειρική Ιστορία.
Μου μένουν δηλαδή άλλα 4 βιβλία για να διαβάσω ο,τι διασκεύασε ο Κιούμπρικ για τον κινηματογράφο.
Μπορείτε να δείτε την συγκεκριμένη λίστα βιβλίων εδώ:
Αυτός ήταν και ο πρώτος μου Θάκερυ. Μέχρι πριν ένα μήνα μαζί με τον Άντονι Τρόλοπ και την Ανν Μπροντέ, ήταν ένας από τους τελευταίους διάσημους Βικτωριανούς συγγραφείς που δεν είχα διαβάσει.
Τα μυθιστορήματα του Θάκερυ ως συνήθως διαδραματίζονταν σε προηγούμενες εποχές από την Βικτωριανή, την εποχή του συγγραφέα.
Το Πανηγύρι της Ματαιοδοξίας (Ναπολεόντειοι Πόλεμοι 1803-1815)
Μπάρι Λίντον (Επταετής Πόλεμος [Πρωσία] 1755-1764)
Χένρυ Έσμοντ (Πόλεμος της Ισπανικής Διαδοχής 1701-1714)
Στα ελληνικά το βιβλίο που διάβασα θα μπορούσε να λέγεται και:
Μπάρι Λίντον, το ημερολόγιο ενός λαφαζάνη
Μπάρι Λίντον, τα απομνημονεύματα ενός Ιρλανδού Μυνχάουζεν
Μπάρι Λίντον, ένας κουμαρτζής που πίστευε ότι ήταν γαλαζοαίματος.
Μπάρι Λίντον, τα χρονικά ενός Ιρλανδού μπαρμπουτιέρη στη Πρωσία.
Με άλλα λόγια αυτό το βιβλίο είναι σε πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση και ο πρωταγωνιστής που μας αφηγείται την ιστορία της ζωής του λέει περισσότερα ψέματα απ' ότι ο βοσκός ο ψεύτης και στο τέλος δεν ξέρεις τι να μην πρωτοπιστέψεις.
Ξεκινά την ιστορία του λέγοντας ότι κατάγεται από Ιρλανδούς βασιλείς (που είναι ανύπαρκτοι φυσικά) μετά μας λέει ότι πήγε να πολεμήσει στον Επταετή Πόλεμο, αλλά τελικά ήταν λιποτάκτης.
Μας λέει τάχα ότι γνώρισε τον Βασιλιά της Πρωσίας Φερδινάνδο, τον Βασιλιά Γεώργιο Γ' της Αγγλίας κλπ. κλπ.
Παντρεύεται την Λαίδη Λίντον και παίρνει το επίθετό της ούτως ώστε να την κληρονομήσει.
Ο γιος της απο τον προηγούμενο άντρα της τον μισά, και έτσι ο Μπάρι Λίντον τον στέλνει στον πόλεμο στην Αμερική με σκοπό να πεθάνει και να κληρονομήσει αυτός την γυναίκα του.
Το χιούμορ και ο λόγος του Θάκερυ είναι αρκετά καλοί και μέσα από αυτόν τον αναξιόπιστο αφηγητή που φυσικά περιμένεις πώς και πώς να ψοφήσει σαν σκυλί ο συγγραφέας σατιρίζει με οξύ τρόπο τον τζέντλεμαν του 18ου αιώνα, την αλλαγή της Ευρώπης από την εποχή της αριστοκρατίας στην εποχή της μπουρζουαζίας
Το βιβλίο είναι αυτό που λέμε μυθιστόρημα πικαρέσκο, λογοτεχνικό είδος μυθιστορήματος, συχνά με σατυρικό ύφος που περιέγραφε με ρεαλιστικό τρόπο και χιουμοριστικές λεπτομέρειες τις περιπέτειες του ήρωα που προέρχεται από μια κατώτερη τάξη, και τα παθήματά του μέσα σε μια πολυτάραχη και διεφθαρμένη κοινωνία.
Όπως λέει κι ορισμός του Πικαρέσκο υπάρχει σατυρικό ύφος που περιγράφει τις περιπέτειες ενός ήρωα κατώτερης τάξης (ασχέτως αν ο Μπάρι Λίντον νομίζει ότι κατάγεται από βασιλείς), ο οποίος ζει μια πολυτάραχη και διεφθαρμένη ζωή.
Ο όρος Πικαρέσκο προέρχεται από το ισπανικό pícaro που σημαίνει αλήτης. Αυτό ακριβώς που είναι και ο ήρωάς μας.
Δεν ήταν κακό βιβλίο απλά ήταν τόσο αργό που με κούρασε, λες και κολυμπούσα σε σιρόπι γλυκού του κουταλιού.
Πολλοί λένε ότι η ταινία είναι καλύτερη του βιβλίο και αυτό σκοπεύω να μάθω κι εγώ σύντομα.
Βαθμολογία: 6/10
Τα άλλα ήταν Η Λάμψη, 2001: Οδύσσεια του Διαστήματος, και Ονειρική Ιστορία.
Μου μένουν δηλαδή άλλα 4 βιβλία για να διαβάσω ο,τι διασκεύασε ο Κιούμπρικ για τον κινηματογράφο.
Μπορείτε να δείτε την συγκεκριμένη λίστα βιβλίων εδώ:
Αυτός ήταν και ο πρώτος μου Θάκερυ. Μέχρι πριν ένα μήνα μαζί με τον Άντονι Τρόλοπ και την Ανν Μπροντέ, ήταν ένας από τους τελευταίους διάσημους Βικτωριανούς συγγραφείς που δεν είχα διαβάσει.
Τα μυθιστορήματα του Θάκερυ ως συνήθως διαδραματίζονταν σε προηγούμενες εποχές από την Βικτωριανή, την εποχή του συγγραφέα.
Το Πανηγύρι της Ματαιοδοξίας (Ναπολεόντειοι Πόλεμοι 1803-1815)
Μπάρι Λίντον (Επταετής Πόλεμος [Πρωσία] 1755-1764)
Χένρυ Έσμοντ (Πόλεμος της Ισπανικής Διαδοχής 1701-1714)
Στα ελληνικά το βιβλίο που διάβασα θα μπορούσε να λέγεται και:
Μπάρι Λίντον, το ημερολόγιο ενός λαφαζάνη
Μπάρι Λίντον, τα απομνημονεύματα ενός Ιρλανδού Μυνχάουζεν
Μπάρι Λίντον, ένας κουμαρτζής που πίστευε ότι ήταν γαλαζοαίματος.
Μπάρι Λίντον, τα χρονικά ενός Ιρλανδού μπαρμπουτιέρη στη Πρωσία.
Με άλλα λόγια αυτό το βιβλίο είναι σε πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση και ο πρωταγωνιστής που μας αφηγείται την ιστορία της ζωής του λέει περισσότερα ψέματα απ' ότι ο βοσκός ο ψεύτης και στο τέλος δεν ξέρεις τι να μην πρωτοπιστέψεις.
Ξεκινά την ιστορία του λέγοντας ότι κατάγεται από Ιρλανδούς βασιλείς (που είναι ανύπαρκτοι φυσικά) μετά μας λέει ότι πήγε να πολεμήσει στον Επταετή Πόλεμο, αλλά τελικά ήταν λιποτάκτης.
Μας λέει τάχα ότι γνώρισε τον Βασιλιά της Πρωσίας Φερδινάνδο, τον Βασιλιά Γεώργιο Γ' της Αγγλίας κλπ. κλπ.
Παντρεύεται την Λαίδη Λίντον και παίρνει το επίθετό της ούτως ώστε να την κληρονομήσει.
Ο γιος της απο τον προηγούμενο άντρα της τον μισά, και έτσι ο Μπάρι Λίντον τον στέλνει στον πόλεμο στην Αμερική με σκοπό να πεθάνει και να κληρονομήσει αυτός την γυναίκα του.
Το χιούμορ και ο λόγος του Θάκερυ είναι αρκετά καλοί και μέσα από αυτόν τον αναξιόπιστο αφηγητή που φυσικά περιμένεις πώς και πώς να ψοφήσει σαν σκυλί ο συγγραφέας σατιρίζει με οξύ τρόπο τον τζέντλεμαν του 18ου αιώνα, την αλλαγή της Ευρώπης από την εποχή της αριστοκρατίας στην εποχή της μπουρζουαζίας
Το βιβλίο είναι αυτό που λέμε μυθιστόρημα πικαρέσκο, λογοτεχνικό είδος μυθιστορήματος, συχνά με σατυρικό ύφος που περιέγραφε με ρεαλιστικό τρόπο και χιουμοριστικές λεπτομέρειες τις περιπέτειες του ήρωα που προέρχεται από μια κατώτερη τάξη, και τα παθήματά του μέσα σε μια πολυτάραχη και διεφθαρμένη κοινωνία.
Όπως λέει κι ορισμός του Πικαρέσκο υπάρχει σατυρικό ύφος που περιγράφει τις περιπέτειες ενός ήρωα κατώτερης τάξης (ασχέτως αν ο Μπάρι Λίντον νομίζει ότι κατάγεται από βασιλείς), ο οποίος ζει μια πολυτάραχη και διεφθαρμένη ζωή.
Ο όρος Πικαρέσκο προέρχεται από το ισπανικό pícaro που σημαίνει αλήτης. Αυτό ακριβώς που είναι και ο ήρωάς μας.
Δεν ήταν κακό βιβλίο απλά ήταν τόσο αργό που με κούρασε, λες και κολυμπούσα σε σιρόπι γλυκού του κουταλιού.
Πολλοί λένε ότι η ταινία είναι καλύτερη του βιβλίο και αυτό σκοπεύω να μάθω κι εγώ σύντομα.
Βαθμολογία: 6/10
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
The life and exploits of 18th century Irish adventurer Redmond Barry.
Free download available at Project Gutenberg.
The life and exploits of 18th century Irish adventurer Redmond Barry.
Free download available at Project Gutenberg.