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Parrot and Olivier in America

Peter Carey

Start date: August 1, 2010

Finish date: September 30, 2010

Discussion: Group Book Discussion

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Nov 27, 2010 Suzanne Moore rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: friend-makers, previously-nominated

I have never read Democracy in America, by Tocqueville, so I can't make comparisons to Olivier. Reading this book makes me curious enough about the accurate story that I may pick it up one day. Carey's story is loosely built on the historical journey Tocqueville made to America during the French Revolution. Olivier comes from an aristocratic bloodline and when his grandparents become victims of the guillotine, his mother arranges for him to travel aboard. Olivier's trip will give him opportunity I have never read Democracy in America, by Tocqueville, so I can't make comparisons to Olivier. Reading this book makes me curious enough about the accurate story that I may pick it up one day. Carey's story is loosely built on the historical journey Tocqueville made to America during the French Revolution. Olivier comes from an aristocratic bloodline and when his grandparents become victims of the guillotine, his mother arranges for him to travel aboard. Olivier's trip will give him opportunity to study the American penal system. He is assigned Parrot, a manservant, to be his secretary. Parrot's side job is to secretly report back to Olivier's mother any behavior of her son that she would be concerned about. The friendship between the two traveling companions doesn't happen over night, but after time in America they become best of friends.

Parrot, who is Olivier's senior, has a very interesting back story. As a young man he flees Britain, when his boss at the printing house is caught making counterfeit money (an offense punishable by guillotine).
When he takes the job as Parrot's secretary/guardian, he convinces his girlfriend, an artist, and her mother to join them on the voyage to America. I liked hearing about how they rose from rags to riches in the art business.

Olivier was a snobbish young man, although he is very intelligent. Once he catches on that Parrot may be keeping his mother informed of his doings stateside, he gives him a vacation with pay. This was something Parrot never heard of before and at first he worries that Olivier has fired him. Olivier has fallen in love with an American girl, but he can't take her to France when he considers a return, because his family would not accept her. She is not aristocratic French born, so she is in their eyes not worthy. This unacceptable snobbery soon puts an end to Olivier's romantic ever after.

All in all there were some parts interesting and enjoyable to read, but other sections sort of bogged me down. I will revisit this story one day … after I read Alexis de Tocqueville's social/political tome. ...more

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Jun 16, 2010 Bookmarks Magazine rated it really liked it

Shelves: july-aug-2010

By most accounts, Parrot and Olivier in America is trademark Carey--adventurous, chaotic, and wonderfully original--and another possible, and certainly worthy, candidate for a Booker, noted the Miami Herald. It is also hilarious: most critics cited the interaction between the two narrators as a favorite, even though the presentation of their very different perspectives (Carey tells their stories in alternating voices) irritated two of them. And although more than one reviewer commented on the bo ...more

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