Scan barcode
A review by pizzabrot
The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold by Evelyn Waugh
3.0
3.5 stars. But why did I even put this on my list (seriously though??)
[I guess because it looks very pretty! Looks sometimes is everything, guys]
Conclusion after reading this: don't poison yourself with bromide. Also, how interesting...and I suppose brave of the author to admit to it being an autobiographical work?
On the blurb it says "One reads it with tears of laughter streaming down one's cheeks" - I don't know who this 'one' is supposed to be, but I'm definitely second then (har har, aren't I funny again...still funnier than this book!) While it was an intriguing enough read, it didn't exactly make me laugh (or smile...or anything even close to it). I suppose I had more of a "What the fuck am I reading" kind of face. I was very concerned for the main character, even more so after reading that the book is based on the author's own experiences. It's clear from the start that the protagonist is simply off-the-wall crazy, but not in a way that would rouse any positive feelings on my part. Not even pity, if I'm honest. He's just not a particularly likable guy. I can't say that the introduction ("Portrait of the artist in middle age") helped in forming a positive impression, and after that he already started going mad, sooo...it's not like we know much about "normal" Gilbert. But from what we know, I think I prefer him insane and on bromide.
Still 3.5 stars because A) I like reading about crazy people and I like it even more from their perspective and B) because the last 100 pages (more than 50% of the book!) were actually almost addictive to read. No idea why, but I absolutely couldn't stop reading even though it was a pain in the ass at first because of the over-complicated and still somewhat sluggish-feeling writing style that even induced my OCD (meaning I was reading both the English and translated German version at the same time because of my very unreasonable fear of misunderstanding something otherwise)...so that was annoying. No fault to the author though; or, maybe, do let's fault the author a little bit. I feel like the writing style was actually as pretentious as the protagonist (who, after all, is a version of the author) and I honestly feel like you could've done SO MUCH MORE with the general idea (Shutter Island, anyone?) So yeah, that was disappointing and frustrating, but still, somehow I like this book in a very weird and bipolar way. Literally in two minds about it :) (see what I did there?) I'll definitely not part with the book and not only because of its looks. One day I might even read it again; but one thing I already know for sure: I still won't like Gilbert. He's actually managed to make me feel sympathetic for his imaginary bullies - who are Gilbert's hallucinations, so actually...also parts of the author? Hmm maybe I shouldn't write off Waugh's other work after all! I mean, he did manage to make me like and dislike him at the same time.
(in all seriousness, though, I will very likely give him another chance!)
Other than that, though, I really don't understand the point of this book. After finishing I was like "Ok - so that was useless". What does it tell us? Don't take the wrong medicine or be schizophrenic I guess.
[I guess because it looks very pretty! Looks sometimes is everything, guys]
Conclusion after reading this: don't poison yourself with bromide. Also, how interesting...and I suppose brave of the author to admit to it being an autobiographical work?
On the blurb it says "One reads it with tears of laughter streaming down one's cheeks" - I don't know who this 'one' is supposed to be, but I'm definitely second then (har har, aren't I funny again...still funnier than this book!) While it was an intriguing enough read, it didn't exactly make me laugh (or smile...or anything even close to it). I suppose I had more of a "What the fuck am I reading" kind of face. I was very concerned for the main character, even more so after reading that the book is based on the author's own experiences. It's clear from the start that the protagonist is simply off-the-wall crazy, but not in a way that would rouse any positive feelings on my part. Not even pity, if I'm honest. He's just not a particularly likable guy. I can't say that the introduction ("Portrait of the artist in middle age") helped in forming a positive impression, and after that he already started going mad, sooo...it's not like we know much about "normal" Gilbert. But from what we know, I think I prefer him insane and on bromide.
Still 3.5 stars because A) I like reading about crazy people and I like it even more from their perspective and B) because the last 100 pages (more than 50% of the book!) were actually almost addictive to read. No idea why, but I absolutely couldn't stop reading even though it was a pain in the ass at first because of the over-complicated and still somewhat sluggish-feeling writing style that even induced my OCD (meaning I was reading both the English and translated German version at the same time because of my very unreasonable fear of misunderstanding something otherwise)...so that was annoying. No fault to the author though; or, maybe, do let's fault the author a little bit. I feel like the writing style was actually as pretentious as the protagonist (who, after all, is a version of the author) and I honestly feel like you could've done SO MUCH MORE with the general idea (Shutter Island, anyone?) So yeah, that was disappointing and frustrating, but still, somehow I like this book in a very weird and bipolar way. Literally in two minds about it :) (see what I did there?) I'll definitely not part with the book and not only because of its looks. One day I might even read it again; but one thing I already know for sure: I still won't like Gilbert. He's actually managed to make me feel sympathetic for his imaginary bullies - who are Gilbert's hallucinations, so actually...also parts of the author? Hmm maybe I shouldn't write off Waugh's other work after all! I mean, he did manage to make me like and dislike him at the same time.
(in all seriousness, though, I will very likely give him another chance!)
Other than that, though, I really don't understand the point of this book. After finishing I was like "Ok - so that was useless". What does it tell us? Don't take the wrong medicine or be schizophrenic I guess.