The Good Soldier: A Tale of Passion (Oxford World's Classics)
1 journaler for this copy...
Evidently I found the introduction more interesting than the story itself (if I go by the amount of pen marks made). Whoever wrote the intro goes on about Impressionism, to quote Ford, "we saw that Life did not narrate, but made impressions on our brains", and supposedly this is what he does in his book. It's a stream of consciousness, so a modern reader is quite familiar with the tone of voice.
Henry James in his essay "The Art of Fiction" says: "a novel is in its broadest definition a personal, a direct impression of life: that, to begin with, constitues its value, which is greater or less according to the intensity of the impression".
And Ford says:
"My task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel--it is, before all, to make you see!"
So, this story of the "complex social and sexual relationships between two couples" is more interesting in theory than in practice. Ford is more interesting than his story, though there are some poignant elements, but in trying to make me feel and see and hear, Ford, I think, just says too much.
Still, an interesting "classic" to add to one's list.
Henry James in his essay "The Art of Fiction" says: "a novel is in its broadest definition a personal, a direct impression of life: that, to begin with, constitues its value, which is greater or less according to the intensity of the impression".
And Ford says:
"My task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel--it is, before all, to make you see!"
So, this story of the "complex social and sexual relationships between two couples" is more interesting in theory than in practice. Ford is more interesting than his story, though there are some poignant elements, but in trying to make me feel and see and hear, Ford, I think, just says too much.
Still, an interesting "classic" to add to one's list.
This book has been requested by Savalan in Iran and will go on its merry way quite shortly. Enjoy, Savalan.
Journal Entry 3 by preveza from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, February 11, 2006
Yes, I sent this off. I wonder if it has arrived. Hope you like it, Savalan.