It is astonishing how often some unwieldy tome weighed down with the appellation of ‘classic’ turns out to be, well, classic and well worth the read!
I remember when I had to read ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky as part of my course I was intimidated by many facts about the novel. Firstly it was published in Penguin ‘World Classics’ the black spine books which indicated that they were not for mere ordinary people to read but only the good and the great and the intellectual. The second daunting fact about my edition was the introduction; it was lengthy and in small print. In other words the book was of such world importance that the introduction was necessary entry ticket before you could even be considered to be allowed the privilege of turning the pages of the story itself. The third disconcerting element in this tome was the fact that it was in two volumes, thereby claiming to be of massive importance not only by the name of the author and the fame of the story, but also by the size of the bloody thing. All in all it was not for me. But I did have to read it and so, with a heavy heart and a feeling that I was a complete fraud waiting to be discovered by the Intellectual Property Police and charged with being in possession of a superior example of western philosophical thought and taken away to be given a good hiding by Those Who Know, I opened the book and started to read.
And discovered that the intimidating book was a detective story and was a positive page turner with the story of the Grand Inquisitor being something which still moves me every time I read it! A classic because it was a gripping read!
There is a programme on Radio 4 called ‘A Good Read’ where three people talk about a book chosen by each which they think is a ‘good read.’ Whenever I hear the programme I mentally begin compiling my list of books which would qualify ranging from ‘Catch 22’ to ‘Great Expectations’. I have added another volume to the lists that I make: “Rebecca.”
This is hardly a surprising choice; it is, after all, a classic (with a great Hitchcock film as a bonus) which has been eagerly devoured by generations of readers since its publication. It has never been out of print and sells throughout the world. But I hadn’t read it before!
It is an extraordinary novel which is superbly written: you constant feel that you are in a safe pair of hands when you allow yourself to be taken over by the prose. The narrative voice is intriguing and, as the novel progresses and the reader finds more and more links with ‘Jane Eyre’ the complexity of the presentation is a continuing source of delight.
This is not an easy read, even though the pace of the novel makes it a real ‘page turner.’ The plot constantly confronts the reader with a sophisticated take on the characters and the period in which it was written.
There is a modern feel to the presentation of the conflict between the sexes which is especially surprising when the woefully subordinate position of the unnamed female narrator is considered. Deception and perversion are essential elements in the story and there are many uncomfortable points in the novel where the reader is torn by what is happening to whom! The sympathy of the reader is constantly moving: ambiguity and moral dilemma force unnerving decisions, and constant re-evaluation are essential in the flow of the narrative in which the reader is involved.
The ending of the novel (so unlike the film) is deeply disturbing. The destruction of Manderley is difficult to read: is it a necessary element in the development of the relationship of Mrs de Winter and Max, or a terrible revenge which destroys much more than the fabric of the house? As the end of the novel is actually the beginning of the novel the reader has to reconsider so much that it is impossible to close the book with a feeling that equilibrium has been re-established. A truly disturbing read! And a damn good read at that. My new first choice for the Radio 4’s ‘A Good Read.’
Should I be asked!
I remember when I had to read ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky as part of my course I was intimidated by many facts about the novel. Firstly it was published in Penguin ‘World Classics’ the black spine books which indicated that they were not for mere ordinary people to read but only the good and the great and the intellectual. The second daunting fact about my edition was the introduction; it was lengthy and in small print. In other words the book was of such world importance that the introduction was necessary entry ticket before you could even be considered to be allowed the privilege of turning the pages of the story itself. The third disconcerting element in this tome was the fact that it was in two volumes, thereby claiming to be of massive importance not only by the name of the author and the fame of the story, but also by the size of the bloody thing. All in all it was not for me. But I did have to read it and so, with a heavy heart and a feeling that I was a complete fraud waiting to be discovered by the Intellectual Property Police and charged with being in possession of a superior example of western philosophical thought and taken away to be given a good hiding by Those Who Know, I opened the book and started to read.
And discovered that the intimidating book was a detective story and was a positive page turner with the story of the Grand Inquisitor being something which still moves me every time I read it! A classic because it was a gripping read!
There is a programme on Radio 4 called ‘A Good Read’ where three people talk about a book chosen by each which they think is a ‘good read.’ Whenever I hear the programme I mentally begin compiling my list of books which would qualify ranging from ‘Catch 22’ to ‘Great Expectations’. I have added another volume to the lists that I make: “Rebecca.”
This is hardly a surprising choice; it is, after all, a classic (with a great Hitchcock film as a bonus) which has been eagerly devoured by generations of readers since its publication. It has never been out of print and sells throughout the world. But I hadn’t read it before!
It is an extraordinary novel which is superbly written: you constant feel that you are in a safe pair of hands when you allow yourself to be taken over by the prose. The narrative voice is intriguing and, as the novel progresses and the reader finds more and more links with ‘Jane Eyre’ the complexity of the presentation is a continuing source of delight.
This is not an easy read, even though the pace of the novel makes it a real ‘page turner.’ The plot constantly confronts the reader with a sophisticated take on the characters and the period in which it was written.
There is a modern feel to the presentation of the conflict between the sexes which is especially surprising when the woefully subordinate position of the unnamed female narrator is considered. Deception and perversion are essential elements in the story and there are many uncomfortable points in the novel where the reader is torn by what is happening to whom! The sympathy of the reader is constantly moving: ambiguity and moral dilemma force unnerving decisions, and constant re-evaluation are essential in the flow of the narrative in which the reader is involved.
The ending of the novel (so unlike the film) is deeply disturbing. The destruction of Manderley is difficult to read: is it a necessary element in the development of the relationship of Mrs de Winter and Max, or a terrible revenge which destroys much more than the fabric of the house? As the end of the novel is actually the beginning of the novel the reader has to reconsider so much that it is impossible to close the book with a feeling that equilibrium has been re-established. A truly disturbing read! And a damn good read at that. My new first choice for the Radio 4’s ‘A Good Read.’
Should I be asked!
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