John Gardner: Grendel, October Light, Freddy's Book, Nickel Mountain, and more

[Extollager]

This American writer (died 1982) was once well-known. Is there interest in discussing his work here?

I've read Grendel and October Light, but it's almost 40 years ago since the last time I read the latter, and Grendel was back around 1972 or so. But my sense is that the man would be worth reading.

 

[galanx]

Read "Mickelsson's Ghosts", which was enjoyable, if you like that kind of thing:

Mickelsson is driven, opinionated, probably a drunk, definitely bankrupt, and perhaps going completely mad. During his personal descent, which he seems powerless to arrest, he somehow scrounges enough money together to buy a farmhouse in northern Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains, which seems to be haunted by the ghosts of an incestuous family. During his more and more frequent absences from reality, the self-destructive Mickelsson has several affairs (including one with a young prostitute, and one with a fellow faculty member who unsuccessfully attempts to help him put his life together), inadvertently causes a death, and becomes involved with a sectarian religious group which may or may not be entirely imagined.

But "Grendel" is great- some parts are hilarious, like the dialogue with the Old Priest and the others; some tragic as when he's swept away by thepoems of the Singer, but then remembers that it was all lies, as he was there and knew what actually happened. Reread it a year or so ago; worthwhile.