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A review by li_reading
A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
5.0
4.5 stars
I know that a rating of 4.5 for a classic, and one written by a man at that, probably comes as a surprise to those who know me. It certainly did to me, but I truly loved this book.
A Single Man put me in mind of A Little Life often while reading, and, perhaps surprisingly, not due to the morose subject matter or gay protagonist. But because both have the uncanny ability to make the mundane profound.
Several times while reading I found myself astounded at how much of myself I saw in George, despite having vastly different beliefs and experiences. There was something remarkably human (rather ironically, I suppose) about it all.
Despite being written in 1964, George’s complaints about the world largely remain true, and, while saddening, Isherwood’s prose makes it a joy to read all the same. I expect to find myself pawing through these pages time and time again, and only wish I had read it sooner.
I know that a rating of 4.5 for a classic, and one written by a man at that, probably comes as a surprise to those who know me. It certainly did to me, but I truly loved this book.
A Single Man put me in mind of A Little Life often while reading, and, perhaps surprisingly, not due to the morose subject matter or gay protagonist. But because both have the uncanny ability to make the mundane profound.
Several times while reading I found myself astounded at how much of myself I saw in George, despite having vastly different beliefs and experiences. There was something remarkably human (rather ironically, I suppose) about it all.
Despite being written in 1964, George’s complaints about the world largely remain true, and, while saddening, Isherwood’s prose makes it a joy to read all the same. I expect to find myself pawing through these pages time and time again, and only wish I had read it sooner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual content