Marry, our play is, the most lamentable comedy,

I about two-thirds of the way through #58, Under the Net by Iris Murdoch.  It counts itself of a member of the large group of books from this list that I have never heard of, which means I knew nothing about it before I started.  Well I am happy to report that it is a great read.  I had mentioned in my previous post that it reminds me of The Berlin Stories, which I suppose would continue to be true, as I find myself truly wrapped up in the characters and the setting (in this case, post-war London and Paris).

But now that I have read so much more of the book, I now find its closest relative to be Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis.  Under the Net features the hapless Jake Donaghue who is innocent, unlucky, and lovable all at the same time, exactly the same way I found Amis' Jim Dixon.  I think the reason I find these characters so extraordinarily entertaining is because they themselves are so thoroughly un-extraordinary.  Neither man has done anything particularly remarkable and neither man finds himself in especially unique circumstances; they're both just regular blokes, and I'm reading about their amusing adventures.  It's great entertainment.

While I had heard that Lucky Jim was a comedy more or less, I had never heard anything of the sort regarding Under the Net.  And for whatever reason, I was not expecting anything that would make me laugh.  Perhaps the title threw me off, but I can't think why.  While the words 'under' and 'net' don't have me thinking comedy, nor do they have me thinking grim or depressing.  To furhter my prejudice, when I picked the novel up from the library, I was introduced to Ms. Murdoch herself with a photo on the back cover.  I don't know if some kind of zany expression or a kooky costume would better represent comedy, but the author's photo does not prepare me for laughter.  In fact, it led me, more so than the title, to think that this would be a deep, serious, and let's face it, bummer of a novel.  But I suppose this goes to show that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover...er...back cover.

Iris Murdoch, Wacky Author

#57 - "Things Fall Apart" Chinua Achebe

My first African book, and I believe the only African book on the list, was Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.  Written in 1958, it is the story of Okonkwo, an Ibo tribesman in present-day Nigeria in the late 19th century.  Okonkwo is a leader within his tribe, powerful, successful at war, and wealthy.  Although generally an unpleasant and gruff person, he is respected in his tribe for his many accomplishments, despite these faults.

Things seem to be rolling along pretty well for the main characters, which one must assume is going to make for a pretty boring book; unless a wrench is thrown into the mix of course.  Soon Okonkwo's world begins to unravel.  First, in an effort to maintain his honor and status, he is forced to kill his foster son (these things happen!).  Later he is banished to another village for an accidental homicide, which happens to coincide with the arrival of evil white missionaries (are there any other kind?).  You might say things...fall apart for poor old Okonkwo, as imperialism and an ever changing world catch up with his old-world, tribal ways.  As Milhouse Van Houten once said, "we started out like Romeo and Juliet, but ended in tragedy."

This was an enjoyable read, and one that pulled me in the more I read.  As things turn for Okonkwo, and the inevitable tragedies draw nearer, it really did become somewhat of a page turner.  I knew things were not going to end well, but was unsure of how that result would be achieved.  It's like watching a horror film; you know everybody is going to die, but the 'fun' is in seeing how the end is met.

While it was a good book, and one I enjoyed reading, I think it is a book that was selected for this list, not for the actual writing or story, but because of the circumstances under which it was published.  This was a book written by a black man, about African tribesmen, told from their point of view, and portraying white missionaries as something less than benevolent, all in 1958.  Although I can't personally attest, I'm guessing there were not a lot of books of this nature on the shelves in 1958.  So I suspect it is here more because of its ground-breaking status than its actual content.  I say this only as an observation, not as an indictment; these culturally significant books are just as important as the most well-crafted and entertaining reads.

Looking back at the books I've read, I'd also put The Painted Bird, Tropic of Cancer, and Naked Lunch in this same category, where the fact the book was written is more important than the words contained within.  These types of books, and the same thing is seen in the movies, that 'push the envelope', allow for future writers to explore subjects that previously might have been taboo, and I like to think that benefits us all in the long run with some really great books.


I've started reading Under the Net by Iris Murdoch as #58.  So far it is very entertaining, and for reasons I'm not sure of yet, reminds me very much of The Berlin Stories.