The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary Eight out of 10

 The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary

Eight out of 10


This novel has made this reader face a quandary, for on the one hand it is included on The New York Times’ 1,000 Novels Everyone Must Read list - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/jan/23/bestbooks-fiction - in the Comedy section no less, and it is evident from the short, introductory essay and the first pages that this is indeed a respectable, formidable book, but on the other hand, the under signed has not been able to enjoy it and, fearing further dissatisfaction and perhaps even boredom, due to his limited capabilities and not because the comic work is in any way less radiant, worthy of worship that would be necessary to meet the golden standard of such an exquisite literati as myself…

Indeed, the hero of the narrative makes clear from the start that he is someone whose endeavors and adventures are worth following – alas, if you pay attention only and not if you keep thinking…oh, this book is rather long, what if it is not as adorable as say The able McLaughlins, which was just finished, why not drop this for something really exhilarating, buoyant, resplendent and more to the point, able to satisfy this fussy eater and pretentious, pompous arse…

‘the original artist that counts on understanding and reward is a fool’…this is a quote from the first few pages and the thought is proven accurate in the sense that this note is a proof that individuals are unable to ‘understand and reward an author or artist, even when he has satisfied experts, those who have included the comedy along with the best and eventually have adapted it for the big screen, in an apparently successful movie…
another manner in which it is clear that this novel would offer special delights for those who pay attention, concentrate, read less frivolously than me, is also obvious in the first pages, when many references are made to art, painting, various acclaimed figures, such as Renoir, Picasso and more…

“All art is bad, but Modern Art is the worst…the brave lads who fought against the impressionists in 1870 and the post impressionists in 1910 were right…”
We learn that the father of the main character, who is the narrator as well, has been on the frontline of this battle and he had stood against the apparition of the Pre Raphaelites, together with someone as prominent and celebrated as Charles Dickens apparently…

Then there are more quotes that not only deal with such an attractive, worthy subject, but are mirthful as well…
“Modern art can do damage, creeping up everywhere, undermining state and marriage, smashing civilization…” not an exact quote, but hopefully close to the real statement

‘Old Renoir painting his red girls with brushes strapped to his hands…the best things he ever did’ this is another segment that has attracted the attention – little as it has been given to this laudable tome – of the undersigned…

Then there is this:
“…this monument is the pride of the peacock, the glory of god, the roar of the lion, the nakedness of women is the work of God’…now this last is not even close to what Joyce Cary has written, but it goes to prove that I had done the right thing in stopping and putting the book aside, before it would have gotten ever more distorted in my memory and poor head…

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