This was a highly entertaining if not a little risqué novel featuring the twin issues of Sex and Religion, this the 1980 Whitbread Best Novel for David Lodge is the first novel by this well known author I have read. When I said risqué I meant it, as the first part of the novel is undoubtedly quite adult and eye wateringly explicit though never smutty and always written in such a touching humane and humorous way. It deals with students in the 1950’s, strict Catholics trying to come to terms with growing sexual feelings and the clash of those feelings with religious upbringing. The novels title is the classic question of youth to a priest “How far can you go with a girl/boy” before sin is committed? The turmoil the several couples go through to adult hood is carefully and thoughtfully handled sometimes in eye popping detail that I found frank and funny being as I am middle aged and married but other younger readers may find a little too close to home (or even those of a prudish disposition!) The students are followed into adult hood through marriage and children with all its ups and downs and with the central question of Catholicism not far behind. The Vatican attempted to modernise Catholicism with Vatican II in the early 60’s and there was much upheaval along with the ever-present question of Catholics and Birth Control. This question along with the many questions of 60’s and 70’s society in regards to religion are explored with the background of these adults as they come to terms with adulthood and children.
I thought the early chapters were superbly handled without being too lurid and the explanation of Catholicism and the effect of Vatican II were thoughtfully portrayed in a thought provoking and interesting way. I for one am quite interested in religion in the UK though I am not in any way religious – more Gods loyal opposition. I found the in depth passages both illuminating and entertaining especially when the characters lives were being shaped by events – love, marriage, childbirth and loss. There are some quite moving parts indeed and the questions that leave me with no room for faith – death, loss especially loss of children – are handled superbly indeed. Marriage with its up and downs especially after the first exciting years of childbirth is vividly described and I was sure in more than one place there was an element of autobiography to it though I can’t be sure. The quality of the narrative is excellent and the descriptive passages are very good if not jaw dropping. Obviously there is the point that religious discussion can be for some quite boring but I found this so well done and the characters so well drawn that it almost became unputdownable to use the well loved phrase. Though David Lodge is more normally know for “Nice Work” and others this may have been overlooked even given its Whitbread win, it may be the no holds barred sex or the critical look at religion but either way I was glad that this was the first Lodge I had read and will certainly be collecting this authors other works. I recommend this funny, poignant and ultimately thought provoking book to everyone! (except those under 18!)
I thought the early chapters were superbly handled without being too lurid and the explanation of Catholicism and the effect of Vatican II were thoughtfully portrayed in a thought provoking and interesting way. I for one am quite interested in religion in the UK though I am not in any way religious – more Gods loyal opposition. I found the in depth passages both illuminating and entertaining especially when the characters lives were being shaped by events – love, marriage, childbirth and loss. There are some quite moving parts indeed and the questions that leave me with no room for faith – death, loss especially loss of children – are handled superbly indeed. Marriage with its up and downs especially after the first exciting years of childbirth is vividly described and I was sure in more than one place there was an element of autobiography to it though I can’t be sure. The quality of the narrative is excellent and the descriptive passages are very good if not jaw dropping. Obviously there is the point that religious discussion can be for some quite boring but I found this so well done and the characters so well drawn that it almost became unputdownable to use the well loved phrase. Though David Lodge is more normally know for “Nice Work” and others this may have been overlooked even given its Whitbread win, it may be the no holds barred sex or the critical look at religion but either way I was glad that this was the first Lodge I had read and will certainly be collecting this authors other works. I recommend this funny, poignant and ultimately thought provoking book to everyone! (except those under 18!)
