Point Counter Point (1928)

This is one of the most extraordinary books I've ever read. I found a copy of it and plunged in with absolutely no knowledge of what it was about or even who the author was. I was gripped from the very first page. The cynical humour and incredibly perceptive analysis of characters that represent almost every facet of the human race reminded me of War and Peace at first (one of my favorite books).

Point Counter Point is absurdly intellectual - almost TOO intellectual for me. It's so complex that I can't even describe the things about it that made me love it. However, as someone who 'thinks too much' and has a naturally analytic mind, there were many places where I felt like I was reading something I could have written myself. It's a very exciting experience when you're reading a book and suddenly discover something like that. As a musician, I particularly appreciated the musical references. But perhaps my favorite moment was where Lord Edward's brother rings him up in great excitement to explain that he's just found mathematical proof of the existence of God.... ( )

Set mainly in 1920s London and peripheral environs, Point Counter Point is a literary tragi-comedy detailing the goings-on within a circle of intellectuals, artists, and hapless socialites and political figures.
Much of the plot revolves around the discussions they have, and the implications of their contrasting philosophical and moral systems. The story is largely based on conflict and friendships between the characters, either as a result of their various infidelities, the disagreements between the scientific, artistic, and ordinary mind, differing political viewpoints, and the simple fact that some people are introverts and others extroverts.
The characters themselves are well developed, and supposedly inspired by actual people, one of whom being Huxley himself.
In places this story is as comic as Huxley's “Antic Hay”, though the characters here are more convincing and have greater depth as individuals, as opposed to the tendency Huxley had to caricature in some of his other works. The emphasis on philosophical discussion, as found in other works of his, such as “Those Barren Leaves”, is also present here, though his philosophical message seems to differ somewhat between books.
This is one of Huxley's finest novels, and despite the fact that most of the characters here are actually not very nice, a very enjoyable read. ( )

Takakannesta: `Elämän kontrapunkti`, jota pidetään Aldous Huxleyn - `Uljaan uuden maailman` tekijän - parhaana romaanina, on vuonna 1928 ilmestynyt älykäs yhteiskuntasatiiri Englannin yläluokan piiristä...

Found a copy of this book in a hotel in Luang Prabang on my birthday and read it while travelling through Laos, China and the Philippines. Wonderfully written, and one of the few books that I've read that's made me stop in wonder at how the author has articulated a feeling I've had but not known how to put in to words.

an incredible perspective novel that takes many characters living in the same place and shows how differently they view the world in only a manner Huxley can. issues from lust, succubus, communist clubs, murder, and being too smart for your own good all come up in this absolute classic. ( )