295. We

We
Yevgeny Zamyatin
1924
Around 225 pages

Only 5 more books to go before the big 300! To be honest, the entries before that milestone seem rather blah. But We is arguably one of the most influential novels of all time. Even if Huxley claims he never heard of it before writing A Brave New World. Not sure I buy that. 

It's been a few hundred years since One State's conquest of the entire world. In One State's society, everybody is assigned a number and lives in glass apartment buildings monitored by the Bureau of Guardians. One State plans to build a spaceship, Integral, and use it to invade and conquer other planets. Integral's chief engineer, D-503, meets a woman, I-330, who flouts the laws of One State. Does this sound familiar?

That's the wonderful thing about doing this List chronologically. You realize that the work you regarded as highly original had actually been done before. I really don't care about who did something first though. I think all great authors stand on the shoulders of giants, and Orwell and Huxley improved on this formula. 

I'm not the biggest dystopian fiction fan, but it's cool seeing the genre evolve this way. 

 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

We was the first novel banned by the Soviet censorship board.

Zamyatin is considered one of the first Soviet dissidents. 

He died in poverty in Paris after being exiled.

UP NEXT: The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann. Something tells me I could do without this Mann in my life.

294. A Passage to India

A Passage to India
E.M. Forster
1924
Around 400 pages

We've come to the last E.M. Forster novel on the List. This is a much better farewell than Henry James gave us. Instead of smacking us in the face with the Golden Bowl of symbolism, Forster presents a thoughtful piece that actually doesn't reek of early twentieth century bigotry.

Dr. Aziz, a Muslim Indian widower, accompanies his British friend Mr. Cyril Fielding, Mrs. Moore, and Miss Adela Quested on a trip to see Marabar Caves. Adela plans on marrying Mrs. Moore's son, but wants to see the "real India" first. Adela thinks she is alone in a cave with Dr. Aziz, panics, and flees. It is assumed by the other members of the party that Dr. Aziz assaulted her. There's a trial, which brings to a boil many of the racial tensions brewing under the surface.

I know some people can't stand stories based on a misunderstanding or false accusation, as the experience of reading it is too frustrating. I enjoyed this story, though. It wasn't preachy and even the most flawed character wasn't portrayed cartoonishly. 

Not that certain sections won't make you cringe, but he does a good a job of depicting the irremediable impasse between two cultures. 

OFFICIAL FORSTER RANKING:

1. A Passage to India

2. A Room With A View

3. Where Angels Fear to Tread

4. Howard's End

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Forster began writing the novel during a stay in India from 1912 to 1913. 

Chosen by Modern Library as one of the top 100 works of 20th century English literature.

UP NEXT: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. 

293. Zeno's Conscience

Zeno's Conscience
Italo Svevo

1923

Around 430 pages

Zeno doesn't have a conscience. There, I just saved you a good deal of time. Use it wisely, to plant a tree or acquaint yourself with Taylor Swift's discography. 

Zeno is ordered by his psychiatrist to write his memoirs in order to get over his various diagnoses. The doctor decides to publish the memoirs as revenge for Zeno discontinuing his visits. Sounds like he was in a great position to give advice. Anyway, Zeno battles a cigarette addiction and has a complicated relationship with his father. He tries to court three sisters: Ada, Augusta, and Alberta. He cheats on his wife. Fairly normal male behavior.

This novel is segmented in its structure, with each section focusing on a certain theme. For me, his disastrous attempts at romancing Ada, then Alberta, then Augusta, were the most entertaining moments. I also liked that their other sister, Anna, knew what was up. 

I thought Zeno was a great narrator. He had a way of making it known he was being laughed at, but still making it clear he thought he was being charming. So if you can suffer Zeno, it's worth reading.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Svevo was a close friend of James Joyce. Gross.

UP NEXT: A Passage to India by E.M. Forster.