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Lewis Percy
21 Apr 06
Brookner, Anita. Lewis Percy. New York: Pantheon, 1989.
Sort of a coming of age story, this book was recommended by a friend upon hearing a very brief description of Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage. There are similarities between the two, the most remarkable of which is the way in which both create an atmosphere of constant, very English anxiety. In each, the protagonist seems barely capable of action, except for the occasional, somewhat sudden, rash decision that inevitably leads to greater anxiety. And both have a happy ending! This comes as quite a surprise in Lewis Percy. There are hints, of course, that it might turn out the way it does, but the book consists mainly of the inner thoughts of the title character, thoughts that are so conflicted it’s possible to find hints of almost any outcome. In part, Brookner succeeds in surprising by leaving the critical event to the very last sentence, which was just delightful. Here’s the last paragraph of the book, save the last sentence. Really nothing is given away, but it’s a perfect illustration of the tone of the book throughout.
In the end it was a relief to leave. Even the airport was a relief, since everyone there was in the same situation. Every face was strained, anxious. He was now perfectly calm, resigned: the surgeon’s knife had been sharpened, the instruments were lying ready. All he had to do was mount the operating table. Now, if ever, was the moment to behave like a hero, to summon up ineffable resources. But he was tired of such fantasies, and when his flight was called he straightened up immediately, picked up his bag, anxious to get it over and done with. (261)
There’s something on Brookner here. The book was reviewed in the New York Times and Kirkus (probably more) but none are freely online.
Posted by pzed on April 21, 2006 at 6.01pm
Categories: fragments, scripture
