Lacking any Quality of Mercy

An Unfortunate Woman: A Journey 

by Richard Brautigan

"It is around noon and the heat is oppressing and the sun shines down lacking any quality of mercy."   - Richard Brautigan, An Unfortunate Woman: A Journey

The book is structured as a semi-autobiographical journal, chronicling the travels of its narrator, who is closely modeled after Brautigan himself. Brautigan's narrative style reflects his characteristic wit, irony, and poetic prose. The journey is not just geographical but also an introspective one, marked by digressions and reflections rather than a linear plot. The episodic nature of the entries, spanning from January to June 1982, captures the whimsy and randomness of life, yet they cover themes of mortality, depression, and solitude.

Central to the book's thematic exploration is the shadow of death. Brautigan's protagonist navigates through the aftermath of the suicide of a woman he knew, whose home he temporarily occupies, and the death of a friend from cancer. These events cast a melancholic tone over the narrative, mirroring Brautigan's own struggles with depression, alcoholism, and his contemplation of mortality. This personal connection makes the book an eerie foreshadowing of the author's own suicide in 1984.

Despite its dark themes, "An Unfortunate Woman" retains Brautigan's signature humor and irony. His ability to find the absurd in the mundane, like describing a chicken in Hawaii or a courtroom scene for forgetting when one last wrote, provides a counterbalance to the narrative's inherent sadness. This juxtaposition of humor against despair showcases Brautigan's complex engagement with the human condition.

The novel serves as a personal document, offering glimpses into Brautigan's life during his final years. It's a raw, sometimes painful look at a man grappling with his identity, his past, and his imminent end. For Brautigan's fans, this book is a treasure, providing not just entertainment but a deeper understanding of the man behind the literary persona. His daughter, Ianthe Brautigan, found and later advocated for its publication, recognizing its value as a piece of her father's best work.

Sonnet for a Winter Day

 

 Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been

By William Shakespeare

How like a winter hath my absence been

From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!

What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!

What old December's bareness everywhere!

And yet this time remov'd was summer's time,

The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,

Bearing the wanton burthen of the prime,

Like widow'd wombs after their lords' decease:

Yet this abundant issue seem'd to me

But hope of orphans and unfather'd fruit;

For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,

And thou away, the very birds are mute;

Or if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer

That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near.

Poem for Today

 Robert Browning 

from "Memorabilia"

Ah, did you once see Shelley plain,

  And did he stop and speak to you

And did you speak to him again?

  How strange it seems and new!

 

Enigmatic Character

• A Lost Lady 
• by Willa Cather

“She had always the power of suggesting things much lovelier than herself, as the perfume of a single flower may call up the whole sweetness of spring.”
― Willa Cather, A Lost Lady







This novella is hardly more than a sketch of a character. The brilliance of Cather’s prose is demonstrated in her portrayal of Marian Forrester, the high-spirited wife of one of the great pioneers and railroad builders. There are also historical implications of Cather’s fable. These are enhanced by the enigmatic and ambiguous elements in Mrs. Forrester’s portrait. On the surface, Marian Forrester belongs to Cather’s long line of restless, magnetic, intelligent women, like Alexandra Bergson, who grows wealthy farming the virgin land in O Pioneers! (1913), Thea Kronborg, the Swedish girl who becomes a famous opera singer in The Song of the Lark (1915), and Ántonia Shimerda, the heroine of My Ántonia (1918), who survives tragedy and abandonment to become the mother of many children, “a rich mine of life, like the founders of early races.”

One may view A Lost Lady as a brilliant epilogue to Cather’s famous pioneer novels; however, it has a different tone, not heroic and optimistic like the Whitmanesque O Pioneers! but bittersweet and retrospective like Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence. As one who loves Cather's beautiful writing style, I found this a touching taste from her pen.

Aging and Love

Like Death 

by Guy de Maupassant

“Words dazzle and deceive because they are mimed by the face. But black words on a white page are the soul laid bare.” ― Guy de Maupassant

The novel centers around Olivier Bertin, a famous Parisian painter, and his relationship with the Countess Ann de Guilleroy. The story explores themes of aging, love, and the passage of time. Bertin, once the lover of the Countess when she was young, now sees her daughter, who resembles her mother in youth, leading to complex emotions and reflections on mortality and beauty.

Maupassant delves deeply into themes of vanity, the fear of aging, and the unavoidable decline of youth and beauty, all of which are well captured in the translation. Howard's choice of words and phrases illuminates the internal conflicts of Bertin, reflecting on his own aging process alongside the aging of his muse, the Countess. Through Howard's translation, the psychological complexity of the characters is well preserved. The reader feels Bertin's turmoil, the Countess's resignation, and the innocent yet disruptive presence of her daughter.

The book excels in its atmospheric descriptions of Parisian life and its exploration of the human condition. I enjoyed Richard Howard's translation for its elegant and fluid prose, capturing the nuanced and often melancholic tone of Maupassant's original text. Howard maintains the 19th-century French literary style while making it accessible to contemporary English readers. He adds to this by bringing forth the lyrical and poetic elements of Maupassant's writing.

For those interested in classic French literature, the study of aging, or simply in beautifully crafted translations, "Like Death" in Howard's rendition is a profound read. It's particularly recommended for fans of Maupassant or those who appreciate psychological depth in literature.

Destroyed Illusions

Under Western Eyes 

by Joseph Conrad

“I am quite willing to be the blind instrument of higher ends. To give one's life for the cause is nothing. But to have one's illusions destroyed - that is really almost more than one can bear.”   ― Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes

Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad is a sophisticated book that explores issues of morality, personal identity, political intrigue, and the conflict between personal conscience and obligation. The novel centers around Razumov, a student in St. Petersburg, who gets entangled in revolutionary politics following the assassination of a Tsarist official by a fellow student, Victor Haldin. Despite his initial apolitical stance, Razumov betrays Haldin to the authorities, which sets off a chain of events that explores his internal and external conflicts.

Razumov's journey is largely about his struggle with his identity. He betrays Haldin not only out of fear but also to align himself with what he perceives as an ordered, rational society over the chaos of revolution. This betrayal haunts him, leading to a profound identity crisis. The novel contrasts the oppressive autocracy of Tsarist Russia with the chaotic, often naive idealism of the revolutionaries. Conrad does not glorify either side, instead presenting a nuanced view where both systems are flawed.

The narrative is framed by an English language teacher in Geneva who tells Razumov's story, providing a "Western eyes" perspective on Russian politics and psychology. This framing questions the understanding, or misunderstanding, of Eastern European issues by Western observers. Conrad explores the gray areas of morality. Characters like Razumov and Sophia Antonovna (Haldin's mother) are not simply good or bad but are shown with their human complexities, making moral judgments difficult. Razumov experiences profound isolation, both self-imposed and imposed by his actions. His alienation peaks in Geneva, where he meets the Russian émigré community yet remains an outsider due to his secret guilt.

Conrad's writing is deep, contemplative, and introspective, with a strong emphasis on his characters' mental states. His use of an unreliable narrator challenges readers to consider the veracity of the story by adding layers of interpretation to the text. Under Western Eyes demonstrates psychological depth while depicting Russian characters through a Western lens. It can be seen as a critique of both Russian autocracy and revolutionary zeal while also reflecting on the nature of storytelling and truth.

I found that the novel remains relevant for its exploration of political and personal betrayal, the clash of ideologies, and the human condition's moral dilemmas. It's a text that invites readers to ponder how political actions intertwine with personal ethics and identity, viewed through the complex lens of "Western eyes."

No Sanctuary at University

I Am Charlotte Simmons 

by Tom Wolfe

“Loneliness wasn't just a state of mind, was it? It was tactile. She could feel it. It was a sixth sense, not in some fanciful play of words, but physically. It hurt... it hurt like phagocytes devouring the white matter of her brain. It was merely that she had no friends. She didn't even have a sanctuary in which she could simply be alone.” ― Tom Wolfe, I Am Charlotte Simmons







The story follows Charlotte Simmons, a brilliant student from a small, rural North Carolina town, who wins a scholarship to the prestigious Dupont University. Her arrival at Dupont plunges her into a world of social hierarchies, Greek life, athletics, and intellectual snobbery, which contrasts with her sheltered upbringing. The narrative explores her journey through loss of innocence, identity, and the struggle to maintain her academic and moral integrity amidst a culture that seems to value superficial achievements and social status over genuine learning and character.
Charlotte's journey is one of self-discovery and transformation. The novel examines how individuals adapt or succumb to the pressures of their environment, questioning what it means to stay true to oneself in the face of overwhelming social forces. Wolfe critiques the American elite education system, portraying Dupont as a microcosm of broader societal issues around class, privilege, and the commodification of education. The novel tackles themes of sexual politics on campus, including consent, reputation, and the power dynamics in relationships. Wolfe suggests a critique of the meritocratic myth by showing how success at Dupont often correlates more with social manipulation or athletic prowess than with academic merit.
Wolfe's characters are vivid, often exaggerated for effect, which is a hallmark of his satirical style. Charlotte is both naive and intelligent, serving as an observer through whom readers experience the university's culture shock. Supporting characters like Hoyt Thorpe, the charismatic athlete, and Jojo Johanssen, the basketball star, are caricatures of certain societal types, used to highlight the novel's themes.
The novel excels in its critique of modern academia and its portrayal of the loss of innocence in a supposedly enlightened environment. Wolfe's satirical edge is sharp, providing both entertainment and food for thought. Wolfe's depiction of college life can seem overly cynical or one-dimensional, particularly his treatment of female characters and campus sexual culture. The narrative might also feel dated to some readers given changes in university culture since its publication in 2004.
I found it a provocative and engaging read for anyone interested in a satirical take on higher education in America, especially for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a keen eye for social commentary.

Unhappiness or Happiness?

The Fraud 

by Zadie Smith

“What possesses people? Unhappiness, always. Happiness is otherwise occupied. It has an object on which to focus. It has daisies, it has snowdrifts. Unhappiness opens up the void, which then requires filling.”   ― Zadie Smith, The Fraud

The book centers on the life of Eliza Touchet, a housekeeper and muse to her cousin by marriage, novelist William Ainsworth, and is set in Victorian England, mostly in London. The Tichborne case, in which an Australian butcher poses as Sir Roger Tichborne, a long-lost aristocrat thought to have perished in a shipwreck, intrigues Eliza.

The Tichborne case serves as a lens to explore class mobility, identity, and the fluidity of social status in Victorian society. The book explores the nature of truth, how people view it, and how it is shaped in social and legal settings. It critiques the literary scene, contrasting the lives and works of real historical figures like Dickens with fictional characters, examining fame, ambition, and the legacy of literature.

Smith employs a narrative rich with dialogue, internal monologues, and varied perspectives, allowing readers to see the events through different eyes. Her writing is renowned for its depth, humor, and skill at fusing contemporary commentary with historical detail.

The book doesn't resolve the Tichborne case in a straightforward manner but uses it to explore broader questions about human nature, society, and storytelling. Eliza's journey through this saga reflects on her own life's fraudulence or authenticity in the roles she plays within her family and society.

Virtue is no Excuse

The Comedians 

by Graham Greene

“Perhaps the sexual life is the great test. If we can survive it with charity to those we love and with affection to those we have betrayed, we needn't worry so much about the good and the bad in us. But jealousy, distrust, cruelty, revenge, and recrimination ... then we fail. The wrong is in that failure, even if we are the victims and not the executioners. Virtue is no excuse.” ― Graham Greene, The Comedians




The book, which is set in the politically oppressive 1960s Haiti, portrays the terror and corruption that were hallmarks of Duvalier's rule in striking detail. The real-life historical context provides a chilling backdrop, enhancing the sense of decay and moral ambiguity. The setting is described as both "a very real setting, time and situation" and a "shabby land of terror" where the narrative unfolds. Collectively referred to as "the comedians," the characters embody a microcosm of humanity navigating the absurdities of everyday life. Brown, potentially a reflection of Greene himself, is characterized by his rootless and non-committal approach to life, particularly in love. Jones, with his deceptive charm, and Smith, with his naivety and good intentions, add layers to the narrative, showcasing different facets of human folly and resilience.

Greene portrays life as a stage on which everyone performs their part, some more skillfully than others, by using dark humor and a morally somber tone. Along with examining issues of identity, purpose, and the human condition, the book offers a critical analysis of the political system, with a focus on American foreign policy. Greene's writing is often praised for its slick, engaging prose, though the narrative can feel a bit sloppy towards the end.

I found in "The Comedians" a layered narrative that combined Greene's signature dark humor with a sharp critique of political oppression and human nature, set in one of the most turbulent periods of Haitian history. While it might not be considered among Greene's greatest works, it remains a thought-provoking and engaging novel for its vivid portrayal of characters and setting.

Language and Wisdom

The Lord Chandos Letter and Other Writings 

by Hugo von Hofmannsthal

“I wanted to show that the fables and mythic tales that the ancients have handed down to us and in which painters and sculptors never cease to find mindless pleasure are the hieroglyphics of a secret, inexhaustible wisdom. I sometimes thought I felt its breath, as though coming from behind a veil.” ― Hugo von Hofmannsthal





"The Lord Chandos Letter," written by Hugo von Hofmannsthal in 1902, is a fictional piece in the form of a letter from Lord Philip Chandos to Francis Bacon, dated August 1603. The letter begins with Chandos acknowledging Bacon's concern about his lack of literary activity. Chandos, aged 26 at the time of writing, describes his profound crisis concerning language, where he has lost the ability to think or speak coherently about anything. He has abandoned future literary projects due to this crisis, feeling that words no longer have the capacity to convey the depth or truth of his experiences.

He once had grand literary plans but now finds them meaningless or unattainable. His crisis is detailed in stages, including the loss of academic discourse, the inability to engage in philosophical or moral discussions, and a disconnection from the beauty and significance he once found in literature. Chandos experiences moments of profound insight or connection with the world around him, often through simple, everyday objects or scenes. These moments, however, are inexpressible through language. He describes an intense, almost mystical experience where he feels a deep unity with nature, which he can't articulate.
The letter reflects broader themes of the crisis of language and meaning in early 20th-century literature, suggesting a disconnect between language and the direct experience of reality. This theme resonates with contemporary intellectual movements, including the influence of figures like Wittgenstein, who would later explore similar ideas about the limits of language.

While the letter is fiction, it's often interpreted as having autobiographical elements, reflecting Hofmannsthal's own literary crisis and his shift from poetry to drama and other forms.The narrative is set during a period of cultural transition, where the old order was giving way to industrial and modern society, which Hofmannsthal and his contemporaries saw as causing a crisis in expression and identity. I found it notable for its exploration of the inadequacy of language to capture the essence of human experience, a theme that would influence much of modern and postmodern literature.