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The Wapshot Chronicle
by John Cheever
Entertainment Weekly says – Cheever’s glorious 1957 debut novel about a decidedly unconventional Massachusetts family was an instant classic, combining both humor and pathos in equal doses. It was also the first Book of the Month club pick that used the F-word.
Guest Reviewer ~ Elisha of Rainy Day Reviews
~ Synopsis ~
When The Wapshot Chronicle was published in
1957, John Cheever was already recognized as a writer of superb short stories.
But The Wapshot Chronicle,
which won the 1958 National Book Award, established him as a major novelist.
Based in part on Cheever’s adolescence in New England, the novel follows the
destinies of the impecunious and wildly eccentric Wapshots of St. Botolphs, a
quintessential Massachusetts fishing village. Here are the stories of Captain
Leander Wapshot, venerable sea dog and would-be suicide; of his licentious
older son, Moses; and of Moses’ adoring and errant younger brother, Coverly.
Tragic and funny, ribald and splendidly picaresque, The Wapshot Chronicle is a family narrative in the tradition
of Trollope, Dickens, and Henry James.
~ Review ~
I was hesitant to read this
book even though the author is obviously talented, because the title threw me
for a loop. However, the author proves himself to be quite the eloquent and
talented writer. You can tell the
timeframe of this book by not only the syntax but by how and why Cheever framed
the story.
There were themes within
this book that were very relatable to any family in this story. Even in today’s
modern and fast paced world, and I think that takes some talent when this story
was not written for today’s world because our world today was only thought
about futuristically. I enjoyed the fact
that Cheever gives the reader a chance to get to know the characters within the
story without giving it all away and instead lets us read the characters and
learn about them and what makes them an individual through our reading.
I was surprised to see quite
a bit of lust and fantasizing in the story, but it wasn’t graphic. But I also
found that perhaps lust was equated to love in this story. Because of this,
whenever a person was fulfilled in their love, I found myself smiling. The
older wealthy ladies on the other hand, Honora for example, I found a little
irritating. Their way of thinking is almost the exact opposite of mine and
because of this I would find it difficult and challenging to be around them on
a daily basis.
I would recommend this story,
not simply because it is a classic but, because the story between Captain Leander Wapshot and his sons as well as Lender’s diary, make
this a very interesting read.
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