244. Strait is the Gate

Strait is the Gate
Andre Gide
1909
Around 250 pages

I haven't quite clicked with any of our books from Gide yet and I am afraid this novel is no exception. Once again, he portrays a very unhealthy relationship with melodramatic characters. That's fine, but I think we are supposed to think this one was romantic. Ick.

Jerome is in love with his cousin Alissa, who strings him along for years, because that is how they will both get into heaven, I guess? Jerome is so enthralled with Alissa that he fails to realize his other cousin is in love with him as well.  I guess dating options were pretty thin on the ground back then.

I think we were supposed to mistake Alissa's mental illness for virtue. Instead I just found it kind of silly and over the top. Gide has one more chance to win me over on this List, but I don't have high hopes.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Based on Gide's own failure to woo his cousin.

The title is a reference to a phrase from the Gospel of Luke.

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