What I’m reading: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
October 3rd, 2008
Tracey read this book ages ago and wrote about it on her site, I forgot about it and when I went to pick up a fiction novel to practice speed reading on the name looked familiar and the blurb on the back seemed interesting enough.
So no science fiction here, no ghosts, no explosions, just brilliance, pure and simple.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter was written in 1940 by a 23 year old Carson McCullers.  It’s remarkable in so many regards and after reading it you will find it hard to believe that it was written by a young white woman as her first novel in the 40s.
The world and the thoughts she writes about seem to be so far away from her and often I would read a section and wonder how she could write such a character so well and not be that person.
The story centers around a deaf mute named John Singer, it is through his character that all of the other characters are interwoven. Â He’s the focal point and each of the other characters project their own interpretation of who he is. Â It’s like he is a universal donor for their company, he is whatever they need him to be without ever having to actually be anyone but himself.
There is a wonderful moment in the book where he writes to a friend and for the first time we are given a clear indication from his own words what he thinks.
There is also a wonderfully slow pace to the novel that is like letting your hand trail in the warm waters of a river as your boat slowly makes its way upstream, or as Tracey puts it a ‘languorous pace’.
It is a rewarding novel to read and I’m sure my thoughts will come back to it often, at the same time I was reading Wikinomics and The Immortal Iron Fist - so quite the mixed bag 
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Categories: Books | Tags: 1940, Books, carson mccullers, fiction, heart is a lonely hunter, john singer, novels, speed reading, Tracey, What I'm reading
I’ve heard about this book lot but never actually got round to reading it. On your recommendation, I’ve finally added it to my list!
Rols last blog post..Taken By Surprise
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By Lee on October 4th, 2008 | Reply
I think you’ll like it actually, given your thoughts on other books. It is one of those books that are just a pleasure to read and I’ve got no problems recommending it.
Let me know when you get around to reading it (returning the favour hopefully after you suggested The Road)
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my waiting list is too long..I finally started in the last Potter book..and I picked up a book from Tom Sharpe (brilliant British writer) for only €1,20 at a 2nd or N’nd hand store.
Arjans last blog post..True Blood {main theme}
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By Lee on October 4th, 2008 | Reply
I’m interested to hear what you thought of the last Potter book, let me know when you finish (especially if you post your thoughts - or you’re certainly welcome to guest post them here!).
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