A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
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Book Reviews of A Single Man
Book Review: Very easy read
Summary: 5 Stars
The book I had was a collection of his works (Berlin Stories)and found them all very easy to read. I read A single man twice getting more out of it each time I read it.Book Review: Great Gay Love Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Isherwood is genius when it comes to his style of writing. My heart broke for the lead character over the loss of his lover. This is a must read.Book Review: Top of the Top
Summary: 5 Stars
This is THE GREAT AMERICAN GAY NOVEL, and every gay man (and probably every thinking man or woman, too) should experience it. Period.Book Review: Gripping, Tragic and Unfair
Summary: 4 Stars
For whatever reason I just can't explain why this story, about one day in the life of a gay man who has lost his partner, kept me gripped from beginning to end.
During the final sections with George and Kenny, I simply descended into the pages, holding the book close, gripping it tightly with my shoulders raised, lips pursed, reading every line as though I were trying to etch it all into my memory.
But for as great as this novel was, the ending left me a bit disturbed.
SPOILER:
You see, George simply had to learn that he could live without Jim. And I think he did come to this realization. So, as a result, he deserves to live, especially when he says: "Now that he must love. Now that he must live." I was cheering for George reading those lines. You see he figured out the riddle, so he deserves the reward, life!
But Isherwood thought otherwise.
So, I'm not sure if I will want to read this wonderful book again because of how the ending has made me want to go into a room, turn on as many lights as possible, and surround myself with as many people as possible and just start hugging and crying. Maybe that was the point? Enjoy life while you have it?
Maybe there could have been a less dreary way to portray this, maybe not.
So, if for none other than the sheer beauty of Isherwood's prose, this novel is a MUST READ!
Book Review: Insightful and Nuanced Character Study
Summary: 4 Stars
A Single Man is a tour de force of narrative subtlety and ambiguity. Beginning with the title itself (does it mean "single" as in "unattached, without a partner," or does it mean "single" as in "one individual, merely one out of the many"?), Isherwood creates an intriguing character study of George, a 58 year-old gay college professor who struggles valiantly through a single day (there's that adjective again). The book begins with George wakening from sleep and concludes with George going to bed--and what occurs in between is both mundane and profound. We meet the cast of characters that George encounters throughout his day, much as you would meet the cast of characters (both random and expected) that you would encounter throughout the course of your own day--but Isherwood invites you inside George's head to share the thoughts and feelings these encounters provoke in him. You won't enjoy this novel if ambiguity vexes you, but it is well worth the time if you appreciate narrative artistry for its own sake. The book's plot is subordinate to its style and character development--A Single Man is a beautiful literary portrait.