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J.g Farrell - Has Anyone Read His Work?
8 Answers
Particularly the 'Empire Trilogy'. This author, who I recently discovered, tragically died at the young age of 44 in 1979.
His writing is brilliant and who knows what greater feats he could have accomplished.
His writing is brilliant and who knows what greater feats he could have accomplished.
Answers
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I did try to read this a few years ago, but failed halfway through the first book I'm afraid. I can't quite remember why, but think the structure of the "trilogy" has a lot to blame.
Can I recommend some books in return?
"The Raj Quartet " by Paul Scott, not forgetting the sequel, "Staying On"
"The Dance to the Music of Time" by Antony Powell.
"The Balkan Trilogy" by Olivia Manning, followed by "The Levant Trilogy"
All these were admirably done in TV adaptions, especially the Paul Scott books. But as in all TV adaptions, the actual books are much better !
Can I recommend some books in return?
"The Raj Quartet " by Paul Scott, not forgetting the sequel, "Staying On"
"The Dance to the Music of Time" by Antony Powell.
"The Balkan Trilogy" by Olivia Manning, followed by "The Levant Trilogy"
All these were admirably done in TV adaptions, especially the Paul Scott books. But as in all TV adaptions, the actual books are much better !
Hi Mikey, I'm surprised you couldn't get away with the Empire Trilogy! 'Troubles' was excellent and so was the sequel and Booker Prize winner of '73 'The Siege Of Krishnapur'. I've just started 'The Singapore Grip' which is the longest.
You must be a mindreader because Scott's work is next on my list.'Staying On' won the Booker in '76 but he was too ill to attend the ceremony in Nov that year and sadly passed away the following March. You are correct about the TV adaptations and most people would probably name 'The Jewel in the Crown' of the five books in the sequence.
Farrell knew Olivia Manning and they had quite a bit in common. Manning was a difficult character who complained bitterly about what she perceived as a lack of suitable recognition for her work which,as she predicted, came more after she died. She was at times jealous over the success of some of her contemporaries such as Iris Murdoch for example. Some folk called her 'Moaning'!
I do intend to read the Levant and Balkan Trilogies too so your recommendations were a great shout!
You must be a mindreader because Scott's work is next on my list.'Staying On' won the Booker in '76 but he was too ill to attend the ceremony in Nov that year and sadly passed away the following March. You are correct about the TV adaptations and most people would probably name 'The Jewel in the Crown' of the five books in the sequence.
Farrell knew Olivia Manning and they had quite a bit in common. Manning was a difficult character who complained bitterly about what she perceived as a lack of suitable recognition for her work which,as she predicted, came more after she died. She was at times jealous over the success of some of her contemporaries such as Iris Murdoch for example. Some folk called her 'Moaning'!
I do intend to read the Levant and Balkan Trilogies too so your recommendations were a great shout!
agchristie, I found the Manning trilogies rather heavy going - very repetitive, she goes on and on about how feckless Guy is (based on her own husband, apparently) and everyone else keeps doing the same thing book after book as well. But if you can find the TV series with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, that's superb - they bring rather cardboard characters to life much more vividly than the books do.
Agchristie....only to happy to oblige with recommendations ! Is nice to break off from discussing important world issues, and have a chat about books.
I must try the Farrel books again it would seem. It was some ago that I tried, so perhaps I can be successful next time.
What you say about Manning is interesting, as I was not aware of any problems. I think she is a much-neglected writer. I can recommend "School for Love" I found this in a church jumble sale a few years ago and was charmed by it.
" The Raj Quartet" are simply the best books ever to be written about India by a British author, including E M Forster ! Scott loved India, as did most Brits who lived there.
When I was about 14, I used to deliver groceries from the local Co-op, after school and at weekends. Every Saturday my last job,, on my way home, was to take a box of stuff around to a elderly lady that had lived in India her whole life until independence. Her deceased husband had been in the Indian Civil Service and of course, there was no job for him after 1947.
Her home was stuffed with Indian things, like brass trays and tables, and lots of statues of the various deities. She would tell me stories about the annual movement of the Government from Delhi to places like Shimla. I found her endlessly fascinating, and was always late home for my Saturday lunch.
She never really settled in Britain but her finances were such that she had no choice. She also said that she missed her servants ! She was like a fish out of water, in Swansea in the 60's and would have gone back to India if she could have done. A lovely lady, who I felt privileged to have met.
I must try the Farrel books again it would seem. It was some ago that I tried, so perhaps I can be successful next time.
What you say about Manning is interesting, as I was not aware of any problems. I think she is a much-neglected writer. I can recommend "School for Love" I found this in a church jumble sale a few years ago and was charmed by it.
" The Raj Quartet" are simply the best books ever to be written about India by a British author, including E M Forster ! Scott loved India, as did most Brits who lived there.
When I was about 14, I used to deliver groceries from the local Co-op, after school and at weekends. Every Saturday my last job,, on my way home, was to take a box of stuff around to a elderly lady that had lived in India her whole life until independence. Her deceased husband had been in the Indian Civil Service and of course, there was no job for him after 1947.
Her home was stuffed with Indian things, like brass trays and tables, and lots of statues of the various deities. She would tell me stories about the annual movement of the Government from Delhi to places like Shimla. I found her endlessly fascinating, and was always late home for my Saturday lunch.
She never really settled in Britain but her finances were such that she had no choice. She also said that she missed her servants ! She was like a fish out of water, in Swansea in the 60's and would have gone back to India if she could have done. A lovely lady, who I felt privileged to have met.
Jno - that's interesting to know thanks. It's funny because I know Olivia was often exasperated with her husband and she commented that he would be late for her funeral! Guess what, he very nearly was apparently!
Mikey - You are right, it's good to talk books and lighten the mood a bit! It's a shame that this section is very under-represented really. I don't know why that should be the case as there is such a lot of good stuff old and new! Some of my proudest possessions are books.
Paul Scott, like Farrell died way too early, such a great shame but I am looking forward to reading the 'Raj Quartet'.
Great story you told, I bet the old lady had some great artefacts and stories!
Let me know if you do tackle Troubles and Siege of K as I would be interested to know your thoughts though I'm guessing you are still wading though Neville Shute?
I can't have several books on the go at the same time unlike some!
Mikey - You are right, it's good to talk books and lighten the mood a bit! It's a shame that this section is very under-represented really. I don't know why that should be the case as there is such a lot of good stuff old and new! Some of my proudest possessions are books.
Paul Scott, like Farrell died way too early, such a great shame but I am looking forward to reading the 'Raj Quartet'.
Great story you told, I bet the old lady had some great artefacts and stories!
Let me know if you do tackle Troubles and Siege of K as I would be interested to know your thoughts though I'm guessing you are still wading though Neville Shute?
I can't have several books on the go at the same time unlike some!
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