The Good Soldier - Ford Madox Ford BOOK REVIEW

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Big thanks to Ridge for sending me this wallet and supporting the channel! Here’s the site if you want to check them out! > ridge.com/BETTERTHANFOOD

[@danielkogler676]

Really love your style and your use of words. Could listen to you for 12 hours straight.

[@ferguscullen8451]

FMF was one of the most important figures in early literary modernism with his editorship of the English Review and the Transatlantic Review. Friend of Ezra Pound too. I recommend his memoirs which are very light, very funny. FMF was himself a great caricaturist. He makes friendly jokes at Pound's expense. But perhaps stylistically not your thing, Mister Sargent.

[@ellelala39]

Ford Madox Ford was a brilliant author, critic, editor, etc. One of my literary favorites.

[@tripp8833]

he has 3 really good novels . Have you read Fifth queen?

[@terencestrugnell4928]

One of my all-time favourite novels. I can`t say I found it stuffy. But then I`m a sixty year old Brit. It did make me check out property prices in Fordingbridge, which is down the road from me. Have you ever read Graham Greene's novel "The End of the Affair" now that's dark.

[@DemeterTelphousia-Erinyes]

I ought to reread TGS. I read it for my English Lit Modernism course but found the main character so unpleasant that it cast a shadow over my enjoyment! Silly of me, really. I love Greene -mainly his spy novels- but TEOTA is excellent.

[@openabyss827]

Man, your videos have steadily been improving. Hadn’t watched in a while, am happy to see you and your channel have come a long way. Your confidence in what you are doing is far more pronounced than in the past. Good work.

[@guidoperregrini9194]

Congrats on the Book Store! And terrific review as usual. Best from Argentina.

[@kanabhprates2103]

Hello sir! I just wanted to say that I love your channel and watch all of your videos. I would really love if you make a video about Cervantes's Dom Quixote, it's my favorite book, a really funny and deep story.

[@johnmurphy9385]

Truth in advertising when you describe this as the (under-ripe) fruit of “a first shallow reading” of the book. Parade’s End might be the best English novel of its century and The Good Soldier isn’t far behind.

[@FlintSL]

Hair game looking marginally different in every vid, Cliff. I sense you didn't love this book too much, but your reviews are always a joy either way

[@ethanfleisher1910]

Cliff, you're the best damn book reviewer on YT by far. More than that, your content gives me hope for the survival of great literature in the era of "content", whatever the hell that is. Thanks a lot good sir.

[@Sanjay-lw6sy]

Hey Cliff, Great review as always. Been wanting to recommend a book for a while now. "The legends of Khazak" by O.V.Vijayan. Its kind of changed the literature in Malayalam literature when it came out, it deals with a school teacher who's trying to run away from his life to a village called Khazak , where he kind of gives into his baser urges while he's trying to discern some meaning of his life and past.

[@alext7621]

I love this book. It’s one of those novels that rewards rereading. Is John Dowell an unreliable narrator because he’s suffered a nervous breakdown and his mind is essentially caving in on itself, or is he simply affecting this sense of psychic break to manipulate the reader into accepting his side of the story? Regardless of what you think of the novel, you have to commend Ford’s originality. He ushered in a new type of writing. Your criticism of Ford’s writing as stuffy and aristocratic do hold true for Parade’s End (his other masterpiece), though. Despite loving The Good Soldier, I could only get through about 60 pages of Parade’s End.

[@rubyparchment5523]

THE GOOD SOLDIER is among several that have gone missing over the years, without my having cracked them. Others include WHITE TEETH (Zadie Smith), MOMENTO MORI (Iris Murdoch). Why oh why?

[@yagorodrigo01]

Great video! Have you read Bataille's Trials of Gilles de Rais? I would love to hear your view on it, also on other works of him.

[@johngraham6729]

Are you related to the American painter John Singer Sargent? I enjoy your channel, Thanks

[@EpicAirGuitarist]

As someone who works in taxes I can answer your question. The short answer is no. You can’t write off books you received as donations. If you buy books to sell in your business, then you can write off the expense of the books you bought.

[@dorothysatterfield3699]

But can the donors write off the books they donated?

[@EpicAirGuitarist]

@@dorothysatterfield3699 Yes, you can. Those are called noncash contributions. You can deduct the books you donate on Schedule A if you take the itemized deduction instead of the standard deduction. I would be careful how you are valuing the books. A used book that is beaten up isn't the same value as a brand new book. Also, they have to be donated to a qualified organization like Goodwill. Publication 529 is a great resource on this topic.

[@dorothysatterfield3699]

Thanks for the detailed reply.

[@pelodelperro]

16:47 Love how Madame Bovary turns into Madame Flaubert. I think there's a lot of truth to that slip of the tongue.

[@sadiesarrazin]

Hi Cliff! Wonderful review, as always. I read 'The Good Soldier' in college, but don't remember the intricate details of the plot. It's definitely due for a reread. I highly, highly recommend 'Quartet' and 'After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie' by Jean Rhys. Rhys is widely known for her novel 'Wide Sargasso Sea,' but 'Quartet' and 'After Leaving' explore (through a fictional lens) her tumultuous affair with Ford Madox Ford. He was her mentor and partner and their relationship ended quite poorly. Her side of the story is compelling and fascinating! Happy reading!

[@augustmcwake]

have had this one on my shelf for years tempting me (sought it out after reading about Ford Madox Ford in A Moveable Feast). your review may have just given me the push to knock it ou this year!

[@Le_Samourai]

What a happy coincidence, I love your channel and I happen to be in the middle of this book! Once I finish it I will treat myself to this video

[@Lucas-go3qx]

I saw your review of Dom Casmurro and, as a Brazilian, I think you should try more of our amazing authors and books! Capitães da areia - Jorge Amado O cortiço - Aloísio Azevedo Vidas secas - Graciliano Ramos Grande sertão: veredas - Guimarães Rosa They are amazing!

[@MrMarkLambrecht]

I've had a Ridge for two years now, by far the best wallet I have ever owned!

[@RidgeWalletYT]

That's what we love to hear! Thanks for the support! 🔥

[@rickartdefoix1298]

The Good Soldier is a great book. Already a Classic, close to a Masterwork. Ford Madox Ford, a literary magazine publisher, always a difficult business, prove to knew very well his task. Timely placed after Henry James but before let's say, the great David Herbert Lawrence, Ford Madox could never be forgotten because of this book. He has also his very good Parade's End, but who knows why, this one may not be so well known as his Good Soldier. I've always thought we are all "good soldiers", since we all walk the line, more or less. This novel has nothing to see with the war, or the military, in general terms. And instead, it has everything to see with The Elective Affinities, a good, clever Goethe's novel. So, it has to see with empathy. But empathy among two couples may lead into a partners exchange. Such an issue could have been considered a subversive morality matter, at the author's days, couldn't it? Even nowadays, although after the rave parties and so many ways of sex exchanges, it is still as kind of an sliding subject. In the sense that it could lead into a common practice and so into a degenerated or degraded vice sort of style of living. But the core of it all is treated all along with such delicacy and nuances richness, that respect prevails and good taste, as well. The reader must take into account that both couples are the best friends of this world, and so, nothing is gonna separate them. Search out what happens in such a context, you won't be disappointed after this reading. And then if you fancy, get into the Goethe's Elective Affinities, you'll quickly understand upon what could have Ford Madox based himself to write this. It's also a show off of the classical values of the pre first war or the in between world wars society. Our parents values are shown here as something nice and civilised, something that deserves to be preserved. A page turner and a very good reading, is what this is. Warmly recommend it to every lover of the best Literature. Keep being "good soldiers" you all. 🤗💎❤️🆗👍🙏

[@lacanian1500]

yeah I heard about him in Wikipedia !

[@monikar7864]

As a keen reader of crime fiction, I was suspicious of all those deaths from the start, but thought I had misunderstood. I found that the audio-book gave a very different impression from reading the novel, and then watching the very beautiful 1981 film presented a different interpretation of the characters again. Nice review, thank you.

[@johncope7920]

Really wish you'd consider reading and reviewing John Hawkes' The Blood Oranges, especially as it is a kind of riff on this book. And it's my own favorite novel so I can't deny that I'd be very interested to get your take on it.

[@joaovitorbarroso8099]

Have u read any book by Bernardo Carvalho? I suggest reading “Nine nights”. Its amazing!!

[@GaboAntillano]

Cliff, as a fan of both Ballard and Bataille, are you familiar with the work of Supervert??? I think you'll like it.

[@theedgelord2689]

Hearing this is so funny. I came up with the idea that John killed Florence and Ashburnam in the first chapter 💀 hearing someone else think it's possible makes me feel much better about my guess.

[@SterninSeth]

I really loved this book, enough that I sent it as a Christmas book to a friend. After hearing your version of it, I think it’s possible I ruined my friend’s holiday.

[@AndersBjornTH]

There was a great PBS Masterpiece Theatre version of this years ago.

[@wastemailinglist726]

I see that fat copy of KIN peeking out from the top left shelf. When can we expect a review of that one?

[@jackpeak4747]

Great review man, I think I will read 'A Feast of Snakes' instead though, I feel as though this is one to come back to.

[@xgryphenx]

A better book the second time through-hated it the first time. I never caught onto the killer hypothesis, but came away more with the latter conclusion: the hallmark of modernity is that we can’t ever know anything, though we scramble to interpret and sift through what is left.

[@xgryphenx]

Also, as to the title: Ford wanted to call it The Saddest Story but the publisher thought it wouldn’t sell well during WWI with that title, instead opting for a deceptive title vaguely allusive to heroism in war as a marketing strategy. Ergo the lack of soldiering in The Good Soldier.

[@fordwebster8113]

Why would Dowell have killed Maisie?!

[@RowlRaj]

Yea pulls really a Keyser Soze narrative this Dawson guy.

[@dorothysatterfield3699]

"Very Masterpiece Theatre." In fact, there was a production of The Good Soldier on Masterpiece Theatre years ago, the 90s I think. Didn't watch it, didn't look like something I'd be interested in. But now that I've heard your negative review, I think I might like to check it out (the book I mean, not the televised version), just to see if I agree and to contemplate the possibility that it's not what it seems to be.

[@ThomasSarantos]

FMF and Conrad weren't just friends; they were collaborators.

[@JasonCaringella]

We share the same opinions on the author and this book, but when you mentioned the murderer interpretation taken by the radio play, I must admit my interest was piqued. I might have to revisit this. Thanks 👍

[@rhysholdaway]

Just bought Lord of Dark Places 🙂

[@FromKhaos26]

Suicide by pocket knife? Well, since we're on the subject of ineffective suicide methods, I think Cliff should seriously consider reading Mysteries by Knut Hamsun.

[@thingsthathappenedtomymoth2816]

The only thing worse than an unreliable narrator is the reliable one.

[@sylviabowersox1114]

I really enjoy the show. Plus, your bookstore is brilliant. I have books that a) I need to find homes for, and b) I think you and your audience might like. How do I proceed?

[@BetterThanFoodBookReviews]

Thank you very much for your kindness Sylvia! Please feel free to DM me on Instagram: @btfbookstore Or at [e-mail] Our current mailing address is: 3439 NE Sandy Blvd, # 321, Portland, OR, 97232 We really appreciate it, thanks so much.

[@johnheart6890]

Before WW1 most western people had no use for irony in their daily lives. There was no such thing as being "cool". whether they believed it or not - people went to church and most people were squares and proud of it. No one thought like James Dean or even acted like him. Compared to today it was a sincere time. Men were earnest and men practiced chivalry, or at least they claimed to practice it. Women didn't have the right to vote until 1928. Mental health care and therapy of any kind was practically non existent. There was lots of pressure to conform to tight rules and little ability to get rid of social pressure. My guess is that people didn't readily or openly talk about their feelings in those days. At the time of this novel's publication young men were going to sign up and get slaughtered day after day in the trenches; Despite the casualty numbers, men felt duty bound to keep signing up--so they did. That was the way they rolled back then. Dowell may be unreliable but he's not a sociopathic killer by commission or omission. That is an absurd notion and doesn't fit the idea that "this story is the saddest story I ever heard." I enjoyed listening to your excellent review. I agree how easily people can destroy love in a relationship. I just think the time it was written is more of an important factor to understanding the story than you do. An old chestnut becomes an old chestnut as it ages, yet it enters into the world as a new chestnut. These folks had problems that they had no idea how to solve.We resemble them and share commonalities, but our unsolvable problems are different than their unsolvable problems!

[@liviu011]

Hi, I would be curious what do you think about the "Nostalgia" by Mircea Cartarescu, recently published by Penguin.

[@honesty3440]

I feel some connection with the novel of an other great , maybe greatest20th century brit author -Evelyn Waugh - and novel- sure is Brideshed Revisited. The big difference of education, morality, convictions between catholics and protestants. Rigidity and felling of guilt spread towards closed ones transformed in victims. High morality , material generosity but with barren heart toward a spiritually generous sinner who is actually innocent .

[@theresahemminger1587]

One of my favorite authors. The Parade’s End tetralogy is much better and you do get war and get a good sense of the unique horror of WWI.

[@stronginfo6657]

Can you make a video on the meditation book "Quagmire to Awakening" scientific approach of buddha ... I would really appreciate your effort

[@johnyohalem6507]

I read it in two days, couldn't put it down. Riveting. This podcast does NOT give me a high opinion of the spieler. Doyle may be a dupe and unreliable, but psychotic murderers are so common in literature and theater and film nowadays that inflicting such a personality on Doyle is, I suppose, natural but utterly shallow.

[@mudgetheexpendable]

What in the hell does this book rate classic status based on?! He was way too in love with the sound of his own voice.

[@Tolstoy111]

It’s an innovative modernist novel.

[@plato8427]

Better Than Food, do you have a goodreads account?

[@nakshatrasengupta4117]

Does shaking a jar with paper strips inside randomize the picking?

[@estebanb7166]

Yes

[@nakshatrasengupta4117]

@@estebanb7166 could u explain?

[@estebanb7166]

@@nakshatrasengupta4117 No

[@RidgeWalletYT]

Team Titanium - Stonewashed🙌

[@lynnkhosla6277]

Your reviews are informative and often scintillating, but if you couple speak just a tiny bit slower it would be easier to process the details you share. Some of us don't like to miss a word. I've read more than one book on your recommendation.

[@Tolstoy111]

You could just change the playback speed

[@tripp8833]

read Parade's End next. its better

[@timbelschner145]

It's been a while since you reviewed a book that was not written by a man

[@tbwatch88]

I wrote my dissertation on this great novel. every fan of British or French fiction should read it. you just did not--sorry, mate--get it; Dowell's an EVIL character: among THE most unreliable narrators ever created. way more of a matrix than most ever fathom. it was Ford's take on Nothingness and the Void of modern life. Ford and Conrad were not just acquaintances, ever; they were CHUMS who collab'd on a novel called Chance, mate.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Let's see your video on it so we can "get" it.

[@Le_Samourai]

I feel like he at least partially addressed this reading of the novel

[@donaldkelly3983]

John Dowell - Mr. Unreliable Narrator!

[@michaelstahlberg9392]

pretty drunk so i limit myself to saying blah blah blah but ur pretty funny. during this exceptionally trying pandemic, u have been one of the whatever anyway something something. :)

[@edvonblue]

I always skip the first five minutes of your podcast because of all the in-program product advertisement you spew.

[@noahfranks984]

Oh Ford. I feel that Ford is the weakest of the first generation modernists. March of Literature is good though

[@brnkmcgr7888]

nice clickbait thumbnail

[@spinespindle9872]

I'm sorry, this book is overated and just crap. It's so boring, it's overburdened with pointless rambling, virtually stagnant with hardly any continuity, just stale and unoriginal with nugatory value in an early modernist style. My opinion, can't help it. But as usual, Cliffs cultural pallette just digests and enjoys everything.. As long as its regarded as "highbrow"

[@Tolstoy111]

Cliff is critical of writers like Dante and Goethe…