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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow burn that becomes increasingly compulsively readable as the story progresses, thanks to O’Hara’s incredibly tight, snappy writing and absorbing dialogue and characterization.
Part character study, part condemnation of the self-absorbed small town elite in Prohibition-era America, who ruin their own and each other’s lives with reckless abandon. And an eerie look at how one seemingly insignificant lapse of judgment can trigger a catastrophic series of events that sends an already discontented person over the edge. The moments when we, the reader, sympathize with Julian’s most self-destructive impulses are the moments when O’Hara shows us how we, too, feel stifled in our day-to-day lives by the constraints of superficial “polite” society.
Part character study, part condemnation of the self-absorbed small town elite in Prohibition-era America, who ruin their own and each other’s lives with reckless abandon. And an eerie look at how one seemingly insignificant lapse of judgment can trigger a catastrophic series of events that sends an already discontented person over the edge. The moments when we, the reader, sympathize with Julian’s most self-destructive impulses are the moments when O’Hara shows us how we, too, feel stifled in our day-to-day lives by the constraints of superficial “polite” society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Infidelity
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's a certain thrill in knowing there's a cliff at the end of the road and speeding up anyways, a freedom in not caring, in the indulgent act of putting aside the consequences to do what you want. And in Appointment in Samarra, time and time again Julian English gives in to his worst impulses, to the reader's despair and delight.
Caroline was particularly striking to me as a character-- a female character with incredible individuality. Apparently O'Hara once wrote in a letter to his brother:
and Caroline, like all the other residents of Gibbsville, embodies this selfishness. The world she inhabits is self-absorbed and tiny, even more so in contrast to the globalized society we find ourselves part of today. It seems a great pity, but also makes her who she is.
Caroline was particularly striking to me as a character-- a female character with incredible individuality. Apparently O'Hara once wrote in a letter to his brother:
Never forget that your girl or your wife is every damn bit as much a person as you are.... She thinks the world revolves around her just as you do around yourself, just as anyone does ... and for you to attempt to dominate her, to pinch her personality, is some kind of sin.
and Caroline, like all the other residents of Gibbsville, embodies this selfishness. The world she inhabits is self-absorbed and tiny, even more so in contrast to the globalized society we find ourselves part of today. It seems a great pity, but also makes her who she is.
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
And so begins the "I only read John O'Hara" phaser of my life. The dialogue and internal monologue are written so smoothly it seems like it's so simple to do. And the "drunk" writing is really off the charts great. Very funny now to consider that this was once a book full of gratuitous sexual content when the content itself is so tame and indirect compared to something like splatterpunk.
This is not the type of book I usually enjoy, but there was something quite beautiful about it.
Well written, quick dialogue. I could easily see this being a play. Very entertaining, interesting story. Plus, I love the time period. And, everything happens so fast. Unfortunately, I left off a star because some of the characters don't get a finish. Still, very good writing. Enjoyable read.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes