Denis's review of Living with the Truth
Living with the Truth by Jim Murdoch (Goodreads author)
Living with the Truth is an existential look into an almost spent, middle-aged man’s life. Jonathan Payne, encouraged by the often annoying, all-knowing cynic, and yet endearing Mr. Truth, is forced to re-examine his past and present, to see if his life has indeed been well spent.
There is sarcasm, a little buffoonery, and wit to the voice and feel of this story. I was reminded, a little, of Beckett’s Waiting For Godot. At first, I was a little wary and was expecting a story drenched with introspection and navel gazing. But, no. Jim Murdoch takes a potentially heavy topic, man’s death, creates a potentially mawkish antagonist, Mr. Truth, and with humour, skill, and tenderness, he pulls if off quite nicely.
On a philosophical/existential level, the reader may, or may not buy into the mystical or quasi-religious aspects of the world Jim Murdoch creates, but it’s a well crafted world and a good read. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
There is sarcasm, a little buffoonery, and wit to the voice and feel of this story. I was reminded, a little, of Beckett’s Waiting For Godot. At first, I was a little wary and was expecting a story drenched with introspection and navel gazing. But, no. Jim Murdoch takes a potentially heavy topic, man’s death, creates a potentially mawkish antagonist, Mr. Truth, and with humour, skill, and tenderness, he pulls if off quite nicely.
On a philosophical/existential level, the reader may, or may not buy into the mystical or quasi-religious aspects of the world Jim Murdoch creates, but it’s a well crafted world and a good read. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
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