Literary Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw

[sun surfer]

Heh, perhaps I'm shallow, but after the long build-up I found the library reveal funny.

[paola]

finished it just in time for the November books - I agree with all the previous comments, it does feel rather dated. Having read it just after Middlemarch, I appreciated the lightness in tone, but in terms of social satire the comparison with Eliot (unfair, I know) is rather stark. I couldn't help thinking of Mr. Brooke when reading about hapless Petkoff.

[fantasyfan]

Generally, I enjoyed it. I like the way Shaw plays with serious issues such as identity, self-delusion, social pressures etc. I think he demonstrates that comedy can be a very serious business and reminds us that humour can have an underlying darkness.

Despite this thematic depth, I found that the finale was a bit lame at the very end. It seems that Shaw, having fired off all of his thematic cannons with considerable effect ended using a pea-shooter as a finisher. That last line just doesn't work for me. But there's lots of fun before it.