I drive through the streets and I care not a damn,
The people they stare, and they ask who I am;
And if I should chance to run over a cad,
I can pay for the damage if ever so bad,
Sp pleasant it is to have money, heigh ho!
So pleasant it is to have money.1
Set in Vietnam is the early 1950’s, the book centers around military conflict in Indochina. The book is less about war and more about politics between men and the seemingly easily-swayed attentions of a young Vietnamese woman.
In Part 1, the reader is introduced to the book’s main characters Thomas Fowler, a journalist, and Phuong, a young Vietnamese dancer, as well as the background of Alden Pyle, the American. Early on, the reader discovers Alden Pyle has been found dead and therefore gets to know him primarily through Fowler‘s remembering, thoughts and opinions. At the time of the release of the book (1955), the author was accused of purposely trying to damage the reputation of Americans by making the “terrorist” in the story (Alden Pyle), an American. On page 11, an interesting quote sort of backs up that accusation for me as Fowler describes Pyle to the authorities as “A quiet American2”, and inwardly compares that statement to “A blue lizard” or “A white elephant”, something rare and uncommon that doesn‘t exist. Throughout Part 1, Americans are mainly portrayed as bullying, harsh and drunk, with the exception of Pyle, who is more thoughtful, inexperienced and silent, but still possessing of that forceful confidence often associated with Americans.
The rest of the book flashes back and forth between the present reality for Fowler and the past encounters with Pyle, and the events leading up to his mysterious death. The book seems like something of a guilty conscience on paper and actually ends with the sentence “Everything had gone right with me since he had died, but how I wished there existed someone to whom I could say that I was sorry.3”
Really descriptive scenes throughout the book that paint a clear picture of the events and conflict surrounding them, including this, my favorite excerpt:
In Part 1, the reader is introduced to the book’s main characters Thomas Fowler, a journalist, and Phuong, a young Vietnamese dancer, as well as the background of Alden Pyle, the American. Early on, the reader discovers Alden Pyle has been found dead and therefore gets to know him primarily through Fowler‘s remembering, thoughts and opinions. At the time of the release of the book (1955), the author was accused of purposely trying to damage the reputation of Americans by making the “terrorist” in the story (Alden Pyle), an American. On page 11, an interesting quote sort of backs up that accusation for me as Fowler describes Pyle to the authorities as “A quiet American2”, and inwardly compares that statement to “A blue lizard” or “A white elephant”, something rare and uncommon that doesn‘t exist. Throughout Part 1, Americans are mainly portrayed as bullying, harsh and drunk, with the exception of Pyle, who is more thoughtful, inexperienced and silent, but still possessing of that forceful confidence often associated with Americans.
The rest of the book flashes back and forth between the present reality for Fowler and the past encounters with Pyle, and the events leading up to his mysterious death. The book seems like something of a guilty conscience on paper and actually ends with the sentence “Everything had gone right with me since he had died, but how I wished there existed someone to whom I could say that I was sorry.3”
Really descriptive scenes throughout the book that paint a clear picture of the events and conflict surrounding them, including this, my favorite excerpt:
"The canal was full of bodies; I am reminded now of an Irish stew containing too much meat. The bodies overlapped; one head, seal-grey, and anonymous as a convict with a shaven scalp, stuck up out of the water like a buoy. There was no blood; I suppose it had flowed away a long time ago. I have no idea how many there were; they must have been caught in a cross-fire, trying to get back, and I suppose every man of us along the bank was thinking, Two can play at that game. I too took my eyes away; we didn’t want to be reminded of how little we counted, how quickly, simply, and anonymously death came.4“
A much better review of the book can be found here. The book is a great read and I'll remember it as one of my favorites.
The next book on the list I've chosen to read is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I have mixed expectations for this one. On one hand, I think I will like this book because so many other people do genuinely like it and revere it as a classic. Plus, I plan to watch Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy - the epitome of sexy bachelor in film literature - after I read it. On the other hand, I attempted Jane Austen a few years ago and was bored to tears. I can’t remember the title - it may have been Emma - but what I do remember was really struggling to become interested in the story and subsequently didn’t make it past page 50. I'm hoping that this time will be different. I want to like you, Jane Austen, really I do. So, wish me well with my next selection. I've been having great luck so far in that I actually really enjoyed everything I've read (with the exception of American Pastoral by Philip Roth) and I hope my streak continues.
1. Excerpt from Arthur Hugh Cloughs poem "Dipsychus", found on page 234.
2. Excerpt from page 11
3. Excerpt from page 249
4. Excerpt from page 60
