Wise BloodFlannery O'Connor
In Flannery O'Connor's first novel, Hazel Motes, grandson of an evangelical preacher, wants to escape his disturbing understanding of God. Haunted by Christ and unable to escape Him, Motes founds the Church of Christ Without Christ and preaches his ideas to any and all who would listen.
Unfortunately, things happen that stand in his way. And then OTHER things happen which are (a) pretty crazy, (b) contrary to Motes' actions and purported beliefs, and (c) provide the reader with O'Connor's opinions regarding Roman Catholicism.
Clearly, Wise Blood is a Very Important Book with Very Important Things to Say. That much is clear. Additionally, the prose is as fresh and as clear as a mountain spring. (Did I really just write that? I'm sorry.) Anyway, the point is, I was able to tear through this novel in a matter of hours.
At right: Brad Dourif as Hazel Motes
And now, for the single drawback: I couldn't connect emotionally to the book at all. I felt bad for Motes at times (especially by the end of the novel), but I didn't understand him. I "get" what O'Connor is trying to say via his character, but Motes himself is alien to me.
That said, Wise Blood is obviously profound and thought-provoking: I finished the book a couple of weeks ago and have been turning it over in my mind ever since. But that doesn't mean I enjoyed the experience.
Is that necessary, though? To a certain extent, it is -- for me, at least.
In a nutshell: A classic that is not necessarily enjoyable, but one that will leave you pondering for days.
Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars
FTCBS: Another Christmas present! Thus, no icky ties to disclose.
Unfortunately, things happen that stand in his way. And then OTHER things happen which are (a) pretty crazy, (b) contrary to Motes' actions and purported beliefs, and (c) provide the reader with O'Connor's opinions regarding Roman Catholicism.
Clearly, Wise Blood is a Very Important Book with Very Important Things to Say. That much is clear. Additionally, the prose is as fresh and as clear as a mountain spring. (Did I really just write that? I'm sorry.) Anyway, the point is, I was able to tear through this novel in a matter of hours.
At right: Brad Dourif as Hazel MotesAnd now, for the single drawback: I couldn't connect emotionally to the book at all. I felt bad for Motes at times (especially by the end of the novel), but I didn't understand him. I "get" what O'Connor is trying to say via his character, but Motes himself is alien to me.
That said, Wise Blood is obviously profound and thought-provoking: I finished the book a couple of weeks ago and have been turning it over in my mind ever since. But that doesn't mean I enjoyed the experience.
Is that necessary, though? To a certain extent, it is -- for me, at least.
In a nutshell: A classic that is not necessarily enjoyable, but one that will leave you pondering for days.
Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars
FTCBS: Another Christmas present! Thus, no icky ties to disclose.
3 comments:
Yes, I think this is her schtick: Very Important, but Unapproachable.
books like that tend to scare me off. i read classics at school and lighter stuff at home.
I'm interested in seeing the movie. I like Brad Dourif.
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