A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
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Book Reviews of A Single Man
Book Review: "Overwhelming Sloth of Sadness"
Summary: 3 Stars
This was the most poignant phrase in the book to me - the "overwhelming sloth of sadness." Isherwood's portayal of George, a gay man in California in the '60s going about his life after the sudden death of his partner Jim, lets us glimpse into that mirror of that pervasive sadness veiled by normality; it forces anyone who has ever lost someone important to them to remember that life does go on, despite the fact that it now seems like a facade. And George does remind me of a sloth, albeit a self-medicated one - he is wading through the jungle of his "same old" life as if nothing changed, trying to survive just this one day, and then he'll see what the next one brings, if anything. Who hasn't felt like they are watching themselves just go through the motions after such a deep and affecting grief event? I have seen the ads for the movie that is out now - I haven't seen it yet, and wanted to read the book first; but from what I heard about the movie, the plot line differs significantly. SPOILER: Nowhere in the book does it mention that George is contemplating or planning suicide, although the end result at the book's conclusion is the same (which although fittingly tragic was a disappointingly quick and too-convenient ending for me). I kept waiting for something in the pages to pop up alarmingly regarding the movie's subtext, but it didn't happen, and I closed the book disturbed.Book Review: Didn't do it for me
Summary: 3 Stars
I dunno why this one just isn't one of my favorites. I think the writing was gorgeous, the characters were fabulous, and the story was good enough to keep me hooked. And I realize that the point of the book is to be rather mundane and maybe alittle melancholy (?) but it wasn't something I particularly enjoyed reading. It seemed like instead of focusing on some kind of story or plot it was focusing on ridiculous details. Plus there's nothing particularly deep about it. I was left at the end like, "Oh, ok . . ."But if you're into that kind of book then go for it, honey!
Book Review: movie back to novel
Summary: 3 Stars
after seeing tom ford's wonderful translation of "a single man" at my neighborhood cineplex, i wondered about the novel upon which it was based. i read early christopher isherwood in my 20's--berlin stories, prater violet--loved them but never read another isherwood story for the next 50 years. now the film aroused my curiosity & i ordered the book from amazon. reading it made me appreciate how beautifully ford found ways to convert the novel's rather dry & somewhat remote tragedy into a film of painfully close-up loss. short & well-worth reading--but don't miss the movie!Book Review: Interesting not as good as the movie.
Summary: 3 Stars
The movies based on novels are not as good as the novels. This one, however, is an exception. I can see the author projects himself as George. However, George is not desperate. He is actually strong and ready to move on. He doesn't want to forget Jim. At the same time, George also mentions Jim is the Death and George wants to meet another Jim. At the end, George dies as a hopeful man.Book Review: boring, boring
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this book because after seeing the movie I had a lot of questions I thought would be answered. The book and the movie do not resemble each other at all. Some of the characters have the same names but that is as close as it gets. The stories in each are completely different. Nothing matches anything. The book is so boring to read it put me to sleep. It just rambles on and on. Usually the book is better than the movie. This is not the case. At least the person that wrote the movie completely changed the plot to make this story interesting. Reading this book was a waste of time and money.