Reflections in a Golden Eye by Carson McCullers ★★★

[John]

I'm glad that I read The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter before I read this one. If I had not, I would have been reluctant to have read any other of McCullers's works.

I was not attracted to any of the characters; all were miserable creatures. Captain Weldon Penderton, is a cuckolded husband to his shrew wife, Lenora. Lenora is having an open affair with Major Morris Langdon. This is only her current paramour since she has had many. Major Langdon lives next door with his wife, Alison and filipino houseboy, Ancleto. Alison is consistently depressed and is lovingly cared for by Ancleto, who fears the major. Finally, we have have voyeuristic Private L.G. Williams observes the lives of these two families, especially Lenora. Capt. Penderton is infactuated with the Pvt. Williams in a love-hate fashion. What a cast of characters!

The novella is written well. There are actually humerous moments, such as when the major is chasing Ancleto with a shoe. It is a shame that there is not one redeeming character. I would highly recommend that this book not be your entrance into the literary world of Carson McCullers or, if it is, don't stop with this work.

[Jgrace]

Sounds like good advice! I do have a copy of The Heart that's been waiting for me to read it.