Overall Score: 7 out of 10

Literary Style

I am familiar with Donleavy’s style from other novels of his, so I know what to expect and I have to say that I really like his “stream-of-consciousness” style of narrative. I find it so much like life—like the contents of my own head, sometimes; with constant interruptions and sudden changes. Life is not as orderly as grammar and I like the ungrammatical quirkiness. I think it brings atmosphere and adds emotion and urgency to the text. He is often writing in present tense too…so that speeds up the pace and makes everything seem immediate. I also enjoy his use of alliteration and the richness of description—it’s very sensory and I think it serves the purpose of putting you smack in the middle of a scene.

Themes

Life-purpose.

Alfonso Stephen O'Kelly'O known as Stephen, has little to recommend him as a prospect for a husband. One time-gunner, now a struggling composer, he almost accidentally marries Sylvia Triumphington. This is the basis for our plot. His musical ability is not hugely emphasized, but it does become apparent that he has considerable talent, if lacking somewhat in motivation & drive. I have always had difficulty relating to people who don’t apparently work for a living, so I find the cast of characters in this book interesting for this reason alone. Having been a naval gunner his purpose has been de-railed somewhat—and he’s evidently struggling with life as normal again after the war. To me, all the main characters seem somewhat adrift. Stephen know he wants to be a composer, but has little ability to make it happen. Sylvia wants to be a dancer, but is too distracted by her search for her mother (for herself?). And, of course, with the fortune her family owns there’s really no need for Sylvia to DO anything. Stephen’s friend…(?forgot name) with the Bentley seems detached from reality too, until it slaps him upside the head in the shape of alimony-jail—in which case he simply can’t deal and checks out. It seems to me that it takes the death of his friend, a random stranger at the bus station and Sylvia before Stephen has the epiphany he needs to focus him—neatly his luck starts to play in at this point (largely thanks to Sylvia) and his composing starts to pay off, as his love life prospects are also looking up.

Love-lust.

I think the entire book goes by before Stephen begins to understand anything about love. He’s almost a victim of his own—and others passions and (like most men would) rides the tide while it is in his favor. Even in the midst of his passionate affair with Dru & when his marriage is going well he still has something of the “lost soul” about him, he seems incapable of giving and receiving love as I understand it. He fails to communicate his real feelings at opportune moments and therefore often seems to be bumbling around on the periphery.
This also is shown to be the impetus for violence in many episodes—the knife wielding boyfriend of the opera singer and the sex-scenes with Sylvia—where she chooses sadistic-masochistic actions. I’ve had little personal experience of these; but it is true that many violent crimes spring out of crimes of passion—so I don’t think it’s especially unrealistic. Having said that I think any degree of violence is (pardon the pun) destructive to a healthy, loving relationship—and I think that’s in evidence in this novel.

Money.

There is untold wealth and abject poverty on ugly display—each is shown to be as destructive as the other in different ways. Money can make you cold and unsympathetic, as in the case of Sylvia’s Father. The scene at his club is a thorough humiliation for Stephen. The lack thereof can make you bitter and mean—as in the case of Sylvia’s biological mother. This brought about devastation to Sylvia—who Stephen was sadly unable to reach emotionally. (Did he try hard enough, I ask myself?) It can be a buffer against reality (as shown by Dru & Stephen’s friend), but if that is your comfort, when it collapses, there’s really nothing left—hence the suicide.
Stephen did like wealth and it’s privileges, but he could not be bought; hence his refusal to be owned by Dru. Interestingly, I found his awful broken apartment symbolic of his life—by the end he’s starting to piece it together—he’s fixed the piano—and sticks with it however bad it gets.
When Stephen is swanning around town with his friend spending oodles of money it all seems like a dream—and it really is—it certainly is an unsustainable reality. Stephen does keep his eyes open however, he sees the beggars & poor people, while his friend pretends not to.

Characterization

Stephen: Sad guy, seems to constantly underestimate himself—there are repeated references to his good looks/charm & talent, but he seems to lack confidence & self-determination. I wonder if it’s the war experiences or something deeper. Lots of pathos for him—I am sympathetic & want him to do well, even if I was impatient at times with his inability to express the right thing at the right time. Like for example when the girl killed herself in the bus station—I think he suffered such guilt & sadness & trauma—but he never spoke to anyone of it. He’s impulsive (especially when it comes to sex—he knows no restraint) and this is often his undoing.

Sylvia: Couldn’t understand her at all—flippant & flighty is how she comes across, but in the end you realize she must have been deeply depressed. Not to mention self-destructive. Did she do this to herself or was it because of her adoptive/biological parents? Hard to see what she wanted from Stephen—it seems like she never gave him a chance. I’m sure her expectations of life (purpose) were unrealistic—which is why she felt let down by everyone. She only seemed happy in her dolls house—forever a child. Real adult life & responsibilities were too much for her.

Druscilla: She made me think of Cruella De Vil—she was beautiful but utterly self-serving & devious. Like a venus fly-trap waiting to catch a new toy. She remained in the gilt-tower (prison of her own making) at the end—like some wealthy people; completely untouchable by the general populace. You touch—like Stephen & Sylvia—you get burned.

Summary

I enjoyed the book, the edition I read has some fine illustrations (etchings) which add nicely to the whole package. I thought it had a good mix of drama & pathos. I also liked the idea that sometimes you just get things WORNG in life (ok, so it was a typo—but I decided to leave it). There can be a sense of loss and ultimately the possibility that life goes on and can even be brighter again one day. ( )

Unemployed composer, Navy veteran, and Rudolph Valentino look-alike Alphonso Stephen O'Kelly'O brushes shoulders with extreme wealth, and poverty, in New York City in the years after WWII. Stephen and some of the lost souls he meets either thrive or are battered by the city. Both humorous and poignant in turns. ( )