- Paperback: 184 pages
- Publisher: Minerva; New edition edition (11 Mar 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0749310685
- ISBN-13: 978-0749310684
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 638,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
This dependably lively British author (Tongues of Flame, 1986, etc.) scores again with his story of a devil-take-the-hindmost yuppie challenged by the birth of a deformed baby. When George Crawley was very young, his missionary father died an unnecessary martyr's death in Africa and endangered the entire family. Back in England, watching his selfless mother, another indefatigable Christian, slaving for his unappreciative grandfather and retarded Aunt Mavis in their shabby home, George derides "the saving...of souls." If his mother wants to live on "the planet Goodness," fine; George will look out for George. He quickly escapes his embarrassing family, marries money (happily, he's also in love with the charming Shirley), and lands an excellent job designing computer software. Life is a childless, double-income paradise until Shirley does a U-turn and decides she wants a kid; after stormy arguments, she gets her way. Hilary is born with a rare condition akin to Down's syndrome. How could this be? Then it dawns on George: Aunt Mavis! Bad genes! Why was he never warned not to have children? After venting his fury on his grandfather, he casts around for a solution; but an operation leaves Hilary worse off, and the faith-healer cannot work a miracle. George is no monster; his love for his baby girl equals Shirley's, but his nature craves action - which means (ultimately) euthanasia, which means a cleansing fire: he will sacrifice their beautiful house for a new, childless life. Parks provides a stunning climax in which George, against the odds, saves his own soul. The brisk, slangy style here is an effective antidote to the downbeat material; this is not a gloomy book. Even more skillful is Parks's characterization of George: we watch this guy raining blows on a helpless old man and yet retain some sympathy for him. Nice work. (Kirkus Reviews)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
George believes that life is worth living only if it is happy, and that if someone he loves is suffering he should move heaven and earth to end that suffering. He will not accept that life is not destined to be pleasant, or that his marriage can be anything but ideal. Then a deformed baby is born.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The truest book,
This review is from: Goodness (Paperback)
Some books are a good read and keep you turning the pages. Some books you consciously feel are trying to improve you, or are making you a 'better/cleverer person'. Others, like this one, strip the reality of human thoughts and motivations bare, and in doing so send a chill through you but waken you up to what actually matters - people.
At first George comes across as unlikeable, cold. But as the layers of his thoughts are uncovered, it becomes apparent that in a way he is Everyman - which one of us, if other people could see our thoughts, wouldn't appal others? Tim Parks writes from inside the heads of his protagonist with such truth, such a disdain for artifice and gloss, that we know him utterly, and that is why the book is so utterly compelling. Some passages of this writing are heart-breaking in their honesty - the awful thoughts that go through our minds in moments of crisis but that never articulate are articulated here. This is a brave and a beautiful book which, by making you face the truth about human flaws, and come to accept them, is (ultimately) reassuring.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goodness; what does it mean?,
By A Customer
This review is from: Goodness (Paperback)
Tim Parks has here created a stunning piece of art, as well as an absorbing read. George is the main character - a systems man who is a product of the Thatcher generation. He tries hard to make himself, his mother and his wife happy. The results are tragic and realistic. This is the only novel I have ever read that contains a flow-diagram. As always, Parks' use of language is mesmeric; and the beauty of this novel lies in the way you end up hating George and yet identifying with him as a fellow, fallible human being. Buy it!
3.0 out of 5 stars
STRAIGHT-THINKING MAN IS DERAILED,
By Damian of Clitheroe (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Goodness (Paperback)
This little book packs a solid punch. After a slow and disappointing start that seemed strangely anchorless the narrative soon finds an intriguing centre in George, the A-line, problem-solving whizz-man. He is the very exemplar of the male rational approach to life; of seeing all difficulties as just another puzzle to solve, to get over and get back on the main road.Then comes along a catastrophe, an unforseeable event for which there is no planning, no contingencies or ways out. The limitations of his mind-set are then truly exposed with murderous consequencies... George, though conventionally very bright is a closed person; he excels in the safe environment of his job for a software company but is often blind to the emotional needs of those close to him and even of himself. The only clue we have to his inner life are his vivid dreams which are giving him a clear message but which he fails to see. For me'Goodness' is about the inadequacy of the logical approach to life in the face of calamity. And how the intuitive female approach is sometimes the only way to make any sense of the world - of seeing tragedy as an experience to be lived through rather than just a big problem to be solved. The novel builds slowly to an intense and highly symbolic finale, where elements of farce, fear, hope and dread meld. This book is a little gem.
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