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bexterrr 's review for:
A Single Man
by Christopher Isherwood
I'd seen the film a few months back, which introduced me to Christopher Isherwood. And it was promptly bought on kindle and placed in my reading list.
The film is definitely worth seeing and reminded me of a story I wrote at university, so I felt a little connection with it, due to the familiar theme. It was watching BBC's Christopher and His Kind that urged me to start reading sooner than previously planned.
I really enjoyed the writing style. Occasionally (and intentionally) muddled, it was easy to keep going without taking any breaks. Although towards the end it was a little too muddled, but still perfectly manageable.
I do wonder, though, if a lot of my feelings for this book were drawn originally from the film, as I could picture a few scenes and characters from it and the two intertwined nicely. I think both can stand alone as great pieces of (slightly melancholy) entertainment and in some ways I preferred aspects of one to the other.
The book deals more with some social and racial issues and is less glamorous, physically, emotionally and in terms of their homes and clothes. It was very interesting, going back to the racial and social issues, to read. Certain terms being used easily (part of the times) but a really interesting look at the gay community as a minority that is similar to but entirely separated from racial minorities. They're outside the outside, but there is a slight touch of.... something else. not brotherhood...vague support? Understanding.
In terms of the film, I felt this dealt with the relationship theme in a more sentimental manner and it was a bigger part of the story and what had initially attracted me to the film, the way of dealing with loss. The film really handled this better,made it more important than the book had. And the thread of George's difficulty in simply carrying on is clearer and darker.
I definitely think both should be experienced for their slight difference in tones.
The film is definitely worth seeing and reminded me of a story I wrote at university, so I felt a little connection with it, due to the familiar theme. It was watching BBC's Christopher and His Kind that urged me to start reading sooner than previously planned.
I really enjoyed the writing style. Occasionally (and intentionally) muddled, it was easy to keep going without taking any breaks. Although towards the end it was a little too muddled, but still perfectly manageable.
I do wonder, though, if a lot of my feelings for this book were drawn originally from the film, as I could picture a few scenes and characters from it and the two intertwined nicely. I think both can stand alone as great pieces of (slightly melancholy) entertainment and in some ways I preferred aspects of one to the other.
The book deals more with some social and racial issues and is less glamorous, physically, emotionally and in terms of their homes and clothes. It was very interesting, going back to the racial and social issues, to read. Certain terms being used easily (part of the times) but a really interesting look at the gay community as a minority that is similar to but entirely separated from racial minorities. They're outside the outside, but there is a slight touch of.... something else. not brotherhood...vague support? Understanding.
In terms of the film, I felt this dealt with the relationship theme in a more sentimental manner and it was a bigger part of the story and what had initially attracted me to the film, the way of dealing with loss. The film really handled this better,made it more important than the book had. And the thread of George's difficulty in simply carrying on is clearer and darker.
I definitely think both should be experienced for their slight difference in tones.