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A review by joeyoudan
Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos
0.25
Jean-Paul Satre employed the term ‘Kaleidoscope’ as a textual metonym in reference to this text. This specific utilisation appears to be referring to the broad scope of narratives this novel fluctuates in and between, and Satre appears to be on the right lines with his terminology here. The novel is a kaleidoscope of bullshit.
With the finals in tatters, we desperately needed dos Passos to do us a favour, but his portrait of early twentieth century New York life frequently veers into bland vitriol and senseless intrigue. A poor showing. The most telling aspect in this famous portrait of American life is how it frequently refers back to the conflict and turmoil of the European continent- a place of much superior interest that I would much rather be hearing about, rather than this boring American nonsense.
With the finals in tatters, we desperately needed dos Passos to do us a favour, but his portrait of early twentieth century New York life frequently veers into bland vitriol and senseless intrigue. A poor showing. The most telling aspect in this famous portrait of American life is how it frequently refers back to the conflict and turmoil of the European continent- a place of much superior interest that I would much rather be hearing about, rather than this boring American nonsense.