Paul Auster
1990
Around 220 pages
Interesting Facts:
UP NEXT: Stone Junction by Jim Dodge
Remains of the Day
Kazuo Ishiguro
1989
Around 260 pages
I would like to be reincarnated as a butler in Oxford who has intense sexual tension with the housekeeper of the estate. I think I would thrive in that environment, especially if I could take a motor tour of England after. I would call this Ishiguro's masterpiece if he didn't have so many other options to choose from.
Stevens is an English butler who has dedicated his life to the loyal service of Lord Darlington. We learn that Lord Darlington was a Nazi sympathizer; and Stevens is in love with Miss Kenton, the housekeeper at Darlington Hall, Lord Darlington's estate. The novel starts in 1956 after the recent death of Lord Darlington, with Stevens receiving a letter from Miss Kenton, describing her married life. His new employer, a wealthy American named Mr. Farraday, encourages Stevens to borrow his car to take a well-earned vacation—a "motoring trip". Stevens accepts, and sets out for Clevedon, North Somerset, where Miss Kenton (now Mrs. Benn) lives.
Much like Ishiguro, I love England, so I was happy to travel with Stevens as he roams the countryside. If I weren't so terrified of pulling a Matthew Broderick, I would take the same trip. A butler is the perfect encapsulation of the English spirit, and I enjoyed Stevens' contemplation about what exactly he has given up by choosing this life.
Just a beautiful novel, and definitely a must read.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Won the Booker prize.
Adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 1993.
UP NEXT: Billy Bathgate by E.L. Doctorow
Oscar and Lucinda
Peter Carey
1988
Around 530 pages
I found this novel in a smallish bookshop in upstate New York, where there were angry placards everywhere demanding that you put novels back where you find them. This was lucky, because my library pretends Peter Carey doesn't exist. Which is a shame, because I like him a lot.
Oscar Hopkins becomes an Anglican priest, and Lucinda Leplastrier is a young Australian heiress who buys a glass factory. They meet on the ship over to Australia, and discover that they are both gamblers. Lucinda bets Oscar that he cannot transport a glass church from Sydney to a remote settlement in Wales.
Prince Rupert's drops are significant to the story. For those that don't know, these are drops of glasses that can withstand the blow of a hammer, but will explode if their tail end is slightly damaged. This is an excellent motif to frame a novel around. Oscar and Lucinda were great characters, even if Oscar was annoying.
A solid narrative, maybe a little too long and melodramatic.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Won the 1988 Booker Prize.
Adapted into a 1997 film.
UP NEXT: The Swimming Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst
Cigarettes
Henry Mathews
1987
Around 305 pages
After so many bangers in a row, we were due for a slump. Thankfully, this is more middle of the road than bad, but it's still a letdown after hanging out with Adams and Drabble. How easily we get spoiled.
Allen is married to Maud but having an affair with Elizabeth, who lives with Maud. We get to see the characters that inhabit New York City’s art and business world in the early 1960s. This was a fresh concept, and executed well.
Not much to complain about here, but not much that drew me in either. I did love the ending, but in general thought the prose was a little too dense and detailed.
So a decent novel, but Adams is a tough act to follow.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Mathews, among other literary figures, makes an appearance as a party guest in Paul Auster's novel 4321.
UP NEXT: The Child in Time by Ian McEwan