#58 - 'Under the Net' by Iris Murdoch

I finished Under the Net a couple of days ago, my 58th book from the list.  It was a fun, entertaining read, featuring at times a complex story with some interesting characters.  As I've mentioned before, it very much reminds me of Lucky Jim and The Sot-Weed Factor for its sympathetic and perhaps socially clumsy main character, as well as its comedic value.

Jake Donaghue is a failed writers, sometimes translator, and general bum, loafing around 1950's London, mooching off friends for money, food and lodgings.  After being dismissed from his most recent residence, he calls on old friend and former flame, Anna.  While she doesn't take him in, she does help him out by sending him to her sister, star of stage and screen, Sadie, who is only too happy to help a man down on his luck.

But it turns out, Jake might have received more than he bargained for, and soon finds himself in a fiendish plot involving an aging movie dog (Mister Mars), a stolen manuscript for one of the world's worst books and a love 'square' involving his long estranged friend Hugo.

Under the Net is successful because it doesn't really strive to be anything more than a light-hearted comedy.  Despite Jake struggling to find a place to live, and never really having any decent prospects, the novel doesn't chronicle a man in a desperate situation.  Nor does it ever try to take it's self too seriously, even at moments where there is a bit of a serious undertone to the rather absurd happenings.

The best part, at least for me, was the characters, specifically Jake Donaghue.  Obviously the man is not without is faults, in fact he has more faults than virtues, but he is a lovable character because of this.  Almost bumbling through his adventures, Jake finds himself in awkward situations only because he has made poor decisions which have put him there.  But through it all, he always has a laid-back, almost care-free attitude, which for whatever reason, I found quite comforting.

After having become so attached to the protagonist, there was a time, near the end, where I feared things would not work out for him. I worried that a novel that had been so fun and funny, would end on a sour note. Well not necessarily a sour note, but a less than ideal note. I always contend that all the good books are depressing in a way, but I suppose there are always exceptions. This would be one of them.

The writing itself is entertaining and at times I even laughed out loud.  I think Catch-22 and The Sot-Weed Factor  are the only other books from the list to have accomplished this.  While I know it was a funny book, I wonder how much my laughs were the result of having just finished Things Fall Apart, which didn't feature anything close to a laugh.

Next I'll be reading Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates, which I know little about and have not seen the movie.  However, I was advised to have a cyanide pill with me at all time whilst reading, so I can kill myself when it becomes too depressing.  Comforting.    

#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.

#56 - "Death Comes for the Archbishop" by Willa Cather

How quickly some books seem to go, whilst others drag out forever.  Happily, this was one of the quick ones, my 56th book from Time's list; Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.  Sure it isn't the longest book at 297 pages, but I'm always a little weary of books from the 1920's.  I find they can be quite dated and as a result, my attention often wanes.

Jean Marie Latour is a French Bishop heading from Ohio to the newly acquired territory of New Mexico, to re-establish the Roman Catholic church in the area after years of neglect and corruption.  He lives in the area for several decades, not only helping the church but also establishing himself as an honored, respected member of the community.

Reading this book, I found myself enjoying it all the way through, as it was both well written and interesting.  However, I found myself a little confused at times, unsure of what was happening.  By the time I had reached the halfway mark it had become apparent what was going on.  Each chapter of this book was its own distinct story, unconnected to the others.  Characters I would meet at one point, would never be heard from again, almost as if the book was only a collection of short stories featuring this French Bishop, instead of a novel following his journey through this new and exotic land.

A little bit of follow-up reading shows this may be the case.  Ms. Cather said she intended the book to read like a Native American legend, duplicating the oral history so prevalent in 19th century New Mexico.  If that is the case, I must say mission accomplished.  Looking back at the book, it almost reads like a transcript from a wake, where people share their favorite stories of the deceased, but don't at any point try to chronicle his life.

It may seem that a book like this would risk being quite boring, or not really having any point.  As I recall, Del Griffith always had a series of 'amusing annecdotes' to tell, but I'd be hesitant to pick up any book he might have penned.  But I suppose through excellent writing and an interesting set of characters, the book never wanes.  It was an enjoyable read, a pleasant diversion if you will, and one that while not over the moon about, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anybody.

Notes:
With this book, Willa Cather joins several other authors who have won Pulitzer Prizes, but had a different book selected for this list.  But unlike the others, her winning-novel, One of Ours was written before 1923 and hence ineligible for inclusion.

While I never would have considered it to be a 'western' in the classic sense, others seem to, as it was named the 7th best 'Western Novel' of the 20th century by the Western Writers of America.  I suppose that means, although unintentionally, it was a fitting read for the week leading up to the Calgary Stampede.


Next up will be Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.  Chock up another one for books and authors I know nothing about.

And you're right, if there was a Del Griffith book, I'd probably be first in line to pick up a copy.  But you know what I mean!