Justine, The Misfortunes of Virtue, or Good Conduct Well Chastised
Marquis de Sade
Fiction
Many are probably loosely aware of the author of Justine, though not as an author but as the namesake for a particular brand of gratification. Much of the material that sparked the association and derivation of that word, sadism, with the Marquis occur in this particular novel. To be certain, the book is revolutionary. That quality, however, has faded a bit in the intervening years.
Orphaned at age 12, the aristocratic and virtuous Justine parts with her older, more cynical sister, Juliette. Juliette, through vice, goes on to find fortune and prosperity while Justine meets nothing but misfortune and abuse. The outrageous fortune of Justine is recanted in first person to Madame de Lorsagne and her husband. The novel is in essence a pulpit for de Sade to promote his own ideas and politics (there is a preponderance of didactic soliloquies by the characters in the novel which tend to wear one out).
It is, in its core, a novel of extreme poetic justice...through vice there is prosperity and through virtue despair. In the end, Justine (who uses the pseudonym Therese throughout her life) is rescued by her sister, the aforementioned Lorsagne. Her initial joy gives way to despondency and moroseness before she is struck by a lightning bolt and perishes. Her sister, greatly affected, runs off to join a nunnery, where she becomes a paragon of virtue.
If you have an interest in late 18th early 19th century French literature, I would recommend the book heartily. Otherwise, unless you have a particular interest (mine own was the namesake corollary between it and my favorite book, Justine by Lawrence Durrell) in sadism or societal theory,
SKIP IT
July 26, 2009
July 9, 2009
Soaked
The Rum Diary
Hunter S. Thompson ©1999
Fiction; 224 pages
My friend, Skip, was the impetus for reading this book. Prior to reading The Rum Diary, I was largely uneducated in the canon of Thompson. All of my prior experiences with him were articles courtesy of Rolling Stone in high school and college. Honestly, I had never really felt compelled to read him like I have in the past for other writers.
The Rum Diary is largely based on Thompson's own experiences in San Juan, Puerto Rico as a journalist. Penned when he was 22, The Rum Diary seems to have been written by a much older, world weary man (ironically, it wasn't released until he was an old man). Fast paced and highly entertaining, there is a sense of disquietude and dissatisfaction throughout. Though each character seems to have goals and aspirations for their life, they are largely inept at figuring them out. Instead, because they are incapable of ascertaining anything concrete, they are obsessed with running, getting away...leaving the island for something, somewhere better.
It is, however, the stifling nature of the island that propels them (and the novel) forward. Each day was mechanical, lived because of a glaring lack of alternatives. They seemed to sate themselves and their inadequacies in booze, vainly hoping that sooner or later something had to give. In the absence of answers, life was lived (quite wildly at times) as they waited, like we all have, for a sense of direction to take hold of their youthful indecision.
READ IT
Hunter S. Thompson ©1999
Fiction; 224 pages
My friend, Skip, was the impetus for reading this book. Prior to reading The Rum Diary, I was largely uneducated in the canon of Thompson. All of my prior experiences with him were articles courtesy of Rolling Stone in high school and college. Honestly, I had never really felt compelled to read him like I have in the past for other writers.
The Rum Diary is largely based on Thompson's own experiences in San Juan, Puerto Rico as a journalist. Penned when he was 22, The Rum Diary seems to have been written by a much older, world weary man (ironically, it wasn't released until he was an old man). Fast paced and highly entertaining, there is a sense of disquietude and dissatisfaction throughout. Though each character seems to have goals and aspirations for their life, they are largely inept at figuring them out. Instead, because they are incapable of ascertaining anything concrete, they are obsessed with running, getting away...leaving the island for something, somewhere better.
It is, however, the stifling nature of the island that propels them (and the novel) forward. Each day was mechanical, lived because of a glaring lack of alternatives. They seemed to sate themselves and their inadequacies in booze, vainly hoping that sooner or later something had to give. In the absence of answers, life was lived (quite wildly at times) as they waited, like we all have, for a sense of direction to take hold of their youthful indecision.
READ IT
July 7, 2009
Nonlinear
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy ©1996
Fiction; 336 pages
Ostensibly the story of two fraternal twins growing up in India, The God of Small Things is much more, often a journey through language, culture, and characters. It is a difficult and different read, partly because of the culture it depicts, and partly because of the flowing, evocative language Roy uses. The story revolves around one fateful day during the twins' childhood, but skips back and forth throughout describing what happened in the years before and after that day and how it affected the other characters within the story. The title refers to how a number of small events can add up to have far-reaching consequences. Roy's characters all have deep, human flaws and are well-developed. The story carries political undertones and addresses various cultural issues within Indian culture, looking at the caste system and the squalor and discrimination faced by the Paravans, one of the untouchable castes, and the Communist party's activity in India in the 60s.
This book requires attention and persistence, as Roy frequently refers to phrases mentioned offhandedly in preceding chapters, or to concepts that are explained much later. Roy writes much of the book from a viewpoint sympathetic to a child's, burying within the story many references to twins' take on reality, which, not surprisingly, isn't always what is actually going on.
The language is gorgeous; Roy has a gift for describing a scene and is a terrific wordsmith. She is as much focused on creating atmosphere and imagery as advancing the story. Consequently, at times her writing is a little tedious and slow to advance the actual plot, so there are moments when the reader's patience is tested. If, however, you are willing to sit back and wait for the story to advance, then this book contains many gems and is a rewarding read.
Consider it.
Arundhati Roy ©1996
Fiction; 336 pages
Ostensibly the story of two fraternal twins growing up in India, The God of Small Things is much more, often a journey through language, culture, and characters. It is a difficult and different read, partly because of the culture it depicts, and partly because of the flowing, evocative language Roy uses. The story revolves around one fateful day during the twins' childhood, but skips back and forth throughout describing what happened in the years before and after that day and how it affected the other characters within the story. The title refers to how a number of small events can add up to have far-reaching consequences. Roy's characters all have deep, human flaws and are well-developed. The story carries political undertones and addresses various cultural issues within Indian culture, looking at the caste system and the squalor and discrimination faced by the Paravans, one of the untouchable castes, and the Communist party's activity in India in the 60s.
This book requires attention and persistence, as Roy frequently refers to phrases mentioned offhandedly in preceding chapters, or to concepts that are explained much later. Roy writes much of the book from a viewpoint sympathetic to a child's, burying within the story many references to twins' take on reality, which, not surprisingly, isn't always what is actually going on.
The language is gorgeous; Roy has a gift for describing a scene and is a terrific wordsmith. She is as much focused on creating atmosphere and imagery as advancing the story. Consequently, at times her writing is a little tedious and slow to advance the actual plot, so there are moments when the reader's patience is tested. If, however, you are willing to sit back and wait for the story to advance, then this book contains many gems and is a rewarding read.
Consider it.
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