A review by revri
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

OVERALL RATING: 9/10 -> 4.5 stars on StoryGraph. 

 

Characters: 10 

I think Isherwood did a great job of letting the reader grasp George's character with only a small sample of his backstory. George is by no means a completely reliable narrator, but his unique and complex perspective makes exploring the world through his eyes both intriguing and thought-provoking. 

 

Setting/Theme: 9 

Isherwood’s approach of presenting grief is definitely a unique take, adding layers to George’s emotions. In addition, Isherwood also explored various themes like life and belonging through the book. While there are still parts I struggled to fully grasp, most of the themes explored make sense within the context of the story. 

 

Writing Style: 10 

This book is a testament to Isherwood's mastery in crafting exquisite literary prose. There’s so much thing I savor in his writing: the meticulous selection of words, the abstract yet deeply relatable narrative voice, and the occasional shift to third-person narration. 

 

Plot: 7 

In general, I think the plot is well-developed, with enough events unfolding to keep things from feeling stagnant. My main issue with the book, though it might just be a personal thing, is that I didn’t feel a strong, consistent connection maintained through each part of the story. Because of that, reading it sometimes felt like drifting aimlessly on a boat in the vast ocean with no end goal. 

 

Logic: 9 

I understand his intention to explore grief without focusing on the loss of a loved one, but the emotion could have been stronger if we had glimpses of the past, of what Jim meant to George beyond the fact that George becomes lonely without him. 

 

Intrigue/Enjoyment: 9 

While there are still parts that haven’t fully sunk in for me, it’s still a fantastic read that offers a fascinating perspective on grief and life.