A great book, better each time I read it. and the classic example of the unreliable narrator.

Thinking this was another book ruined for me by being required reading in school, I had another go at it as an adult. Yuck. Boring. ( )

Although the genre of love and adultery usually isn’t my forte I did enjoy this book. The reason I picked this book up was because I needed a choice for the “Decades Challenge” for 1910-1919 and picked it based on the title. I thought it was a war themed book, and didn’t give the book much thought, until I nabbed it in the library and brought it home. So to begin with, I was a little reluctant to read it, and almost gave up after the first chapter. I’m glad I kept reading. I was drawn in very quickly and had a hard time putting the book down.
What made this book so well done, and what pulled me in was Ford’s narrative. He has a very wonderful and elegant flow, and there is something extra in how he is able to tell a story and pull you in, which was one of the reasons why I kept reading the book instead of giving up on it like I had planned.

The story follows a deceived husband and the man who deceived him. Ashburnham is a man who has multiple affairs, including one with the narrator’s wife. The story follows the lives of the people and how the affair affects all the different parties involved, and some desperate measures they take to solve or absolve themselves.

One of my favourite aspects of the story is how the narrator addresses the reader, as “the silent listener” it made it more personal for the reader, as well as the story teller. I got the feeling that this poor narrator was pouring his heart out to some silent person, about all of his sufferings from those he loved. What I didn’t like was the themes of adultery, because it’s the same story you see over and over. Adulterous man/women destroying the lives with either the husband/wife who is left watching there spouse destroy them emotionally etc.

The way the story was told, was what saved the story for me. Because the story was told years after the fact, so the narrator tells it through what is left in his memory. Parts are probably jumbled or left out, but it gave the story an interesting twist then what you normally see in the genre. Overall the story surprised me, and I’m glad I stuck with it.

Review also found on my blog: http://juliebooks.blogspot.com/2009/0... ( )

The Good Soldier is less about what the text says than about what it doesn't.

John Dowell is the narrator of this story of two couples (John and Florence Dowell; and Edward and Leonora Ashenburner). He is, allegedly, unaware of the affair between his wife and Edward until after her death, when he relates the story to the reader. How a man could be 1/4 of a close circle of people and remain unaware of their activities stretches credibility; hence, we must come to view John Dowell as an unreliable narrator.

The writing is superb and kept me interested in spite of little direct action and almost no dialogue. This is the kind of book that could be read several times, and each time will bring new insights into John's character, and through those insights, to the "truth" of what really happened. ( )

I've heard this book touted as a 'perfect' novel, and I have to say, I think that's true. It's taut, gripping, and endlessly fascinating - despite the fact that it relies on sexist underpinnings, it still seems to ring true. I loathe every character in it, and yet I feel enormous sympathy for them, because - aren't we all loathsome?In any case, heartily recommended. ( )