- Hardcover: 253 pages
- Publisher: Andre Deutsch Ltd; New Ed edition (7 Mar 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0233989714
- ISBN-13: 978-0233989716
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14 x 3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,132,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Synopsis
From the author of MYRA BRECKINRIDGE and DARK GREEN, BRIGHT RED, a novel, first published in 1949, describing the growing-up of a brilliant and precocious schoolboy whose parents separate when he is young, and whose mother is portrayed as a 'monster'.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
The sins of the mother visited upon the son
18 Nov 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In Gore Vidal's fourth novel, the skeleton is his first 20 years of life. All names are changed, of course, and he grafts on fictional additions to make the whole more "interesting." He completed it in 1947 in Antigua Guatemala, and it was published in 1949. Unfortunately it's a walk-through of the 20 years, and shows that Vidal was still too close to the events to provide any insights to make the effort worthwhile. The reader really finds nothing meaty about politics, religion, sex, love, psychology, behavior. Family and school life are a drag from start to finish.
Three crowded functions at old Senator Gore's home are unfolded: (1) Baby Vidal's christening; his ever Critical Complaining Aloof mother (the Senator's daughter) and his not-yet-established father are living in the household. (2) Senator Gore's wake. (3) Some European King's visit, since Grandmother Gore has been appointed to fill out her deceased husband's term in Congress. Scene 4 is Vidal's completion of prep school, where he has developed painting (not writing) ambitions and been attracted to a girl. Scene 5 is Vidal's final encounter with his mother, still telling him he's a poor lazy student, a chilly socializer, unfocussed, for whom she has sacrificed thanklesly, he and everybody else lets her down. Scene 6 shows Vidal ready to muster out of the service as WWII concludes, likely to return to his girl and painting.
So the self-centered son walked away from his self-centered mater and became the Critical Complaining Aloof Mother of the Nation for the next 60 years.
Three crowded functions at old Senator Gore's home are unfolded: (1) Baby Vidal's christening; his ever Critical Complaining Aloof mother (the Senator's daughter) and his not-yet-established father are living in the household. (2) Senator Gore's wake. (3) Some European King's visit, since Grandmother Gore has been appointed to fill out her deceased husband's term in Congress. Scene 4 is Vidal's completion of prep school, where he has developed painting (not writing) ambitions and been attracted to a girl. Scene 5 is Vidal's final encounter with his mother, still telling him he's a poor lazy student, a chilly socializer, unfocussed, for whom she has sacrificed thanklesly, he and everybody else lets her down. Scene 6 shows Vidal ready to muster out of the service as WWII concludes, likely to return to his girl and painting.
So the self-centered son walked away from his self-centered mater and became the Critical Complaining Aloof Mother of the Nation for the next 60 years.
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