Book 10 - William Maxwell "The Château"

[jazzy_dave]

William Maxwell "The Château" (The Harvill Press)




The Chateau is part unscripted mystery, part travel journal, part piercing cultural study. The premise-- an American couple traveling in France after WWII only to find things less perfect and picturesque than expected-- is interesting enough. But, it is Maxwell's writing that really carries this book from a 3 star to a 4 1/2 star novel. He perfectly captures so many personal, yet universal moments in language that is subtle, moving, even ethereal.

The real treat of the book (besides the writing) is the very unconventional "Part II: Some Explanations" aka the last 50 pages of the book. Here, in an entirely different tone, which is a Q&A between himself and a reader, Maxwell explains the many stories behind the story-- the French story. Knowing this part was coming did help me through some of the more agonizing parts of the plot in Part I.

If you are hoping for an action packed plot, The Chateau will disappoint, but there is a plot; it is very carefully doled out much as life's plot is, and is delivered in such beautiful prose you won't want it to end. It is a pity that Maxwell's works seem to be largely unknown/

Comments

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[kaishin108.livejournal.com]

It sounds interesting in an agonizing way ;-)

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Sounds kind of intriguing. :)
Hugs, Jon

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

I think I'd like this book. Has it been made into a film? I think the book may have been better if the author could have incorporated the necessary back stories into the narrative.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

Not sure if it has been made into a film.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

Okay. I just thought it would make a goods movie.

[wendelah1]

A friend gave me a copy of this book when I visited Paris two summers ago. I liked it very much. There was a volume of William Maxwell's early novels and short stories put out by Library of America a few years ago. I think he was once very well known in literary circles, at least in the US because of his position at The New Yorker.