 | Robert's back from his travels! He joined us for The Heart is a Lonely Hunter at Sissy's Southern Kitchen. Sissy's is pricey, but the food is spectacular. We had fried green tomatoes to start, and Megan and I shared their tasty fried chicken bucket with mashed potatoes and squash. The decor is charming--if you consider buck heads interspersed with ornate saucers charming. All in all, we couldn't have met in a more fitting place for the book.  2929 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 |
Book Review
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter has been on several of our bookshelves for a while, and since our former member David keeps pushing it on us, I thought I'd finally pick it. The book opens with "In the town, there were two mutes and they were always together" and proceeds to give us the unlikely friendship of Mr. Singer and Antonopoulos. When Antonopoulos is committed to an institution, Mr. Singer, an engraver in a small Southern town has to deal with his solitude. His proper and humble appearance draws 4 diverse characters from the town who each talk to him separately about their problems. The more memorable of these characters are Mick, a poor, fourteen-year-old tomboy obsessed with one day composing classical music and Dr. Copeland, a lonely intellectual in the African American community with children who have dissapointed him.
The novel is more character than narrative driven, and each of the characters is coping with isolation and secrets. Though Mr. Singer becomes a sort of friend to each as they unburden themselves before him, none of the characters ever is able to make a significant, human connection with another in the disjointed group. Even their friendships with Mr. Singer are one-sided, and all of them fail to understand the acute loneliness and longing of their dearest friend.
Overall, the book was a fast-paced read, but, at least for me, something was lacking in its style. The novel's author is often touted as a genius for composing her work at the age of 23, but her images fall far short of Faulkner's, and, in the end, her story lacks something of the apocalyptic darkness and intensity of other writers in the Southern Gothic mode.
The novel is more character than narrative driven, and each of the characters is coping with isolation and secrets. Though Mr. Singer becomes a sort of friend to each as they unburden themselves before him, none of the characters ever is able to make a significant, human connection with another in the disjointed group. Even their friendships with Mr. Singer are one-sided, and all of them fail to understand the acute loneliness and longing of their dearest friend.
Overall, the book was a fast-paced read, but, at least for me, something was lacking in its style. The novel's author is often touted as a genius for composing her work at the age of 23, but her images fall far short of Faulkner's, and, in the end, her story lacks something of the apocalyptic darkness and intensity of other writers in the Southern Gothic mode.
Star Count
 | Megan--4 Natalie--4 Robert--3 Kim--2 |
