I recently enjoyed an audio version of Thinks by David Lodge – a rather quirky, unusual novel about academics who have an affair. I have been enjoying David Lodge’s books for years. His Nice Work, a modern version of Elizabeth Gaskell’s superb North and South, is a funny and excellent read (there’s also a TV version available on DVD), and Changing Places is a delight too. It has one of my favourite literary characters, Morris Zapp, who is reputed to know “more about Jane Austen than Jane Austen knew about herself”, and who names his twin children Elizabeth and Darcy.
Deaf Sentence by David Lodge
David Lodge used to be a professor of literature at the University of Birmingham, where he sets many of his books though he changes the city’s name, but retired when he became a successful author. He also retired because he was losing his hearing, and his novel Deaf Sentence is a moving yet also very funny story of a professor who is going deaf. The book begins with a party at which the professor pretends to hear what a young woman is saying to him, and gets into a messy situation as a result. Lodge has commented that deafness is “a comic infirmity, as opposed to blindness which is a tragic infirmity”. Do you agree?
He has also written biographical novels – Author, Author is about Henry James, while A Man of Parts (which I was also able to enjoy on a very good audio version) is about H.G. Wells and his extraordinary love life.
Do consider reading some of Lodge’s novels. He is a very literary, thought-provoking novelist whose books tackle interesting contemporary issues. Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
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Jennifer Gray
Thank you
Susannah for introducing me to David Lodge’s wonderful book “Nice Work”. I’m trying to get a copy of the movie on DVD and will definitely read more of his works.
Susannah Fullerton
I have the DVD if you want to borrow it. Just email and remind me before you are next going to see me. It was great fun to watch.
Margi Abraham
I love his books! He also wrote a very good “text book” titled The Art of Fiction” that brings his verve and humour to literary criticism. It was invaluable to me when I undertook postgraduate English Literature studies as a mature student. The book starts with the beginning of a novel using Emma as an example.a good start indeed.
Susannah Fullerton
Yes, his Árt of Fiction’ is also excellent. He is such a good literary critic, and of course he loves Jane Austen.