I know that is is a popular way to write, it’s the recommended way for all writers to start writing. Just write as it comes, go with the flow, etc. But generally a writer then goes make an edits it so that it makes some sense to the reader.
With some reluctance I began reading the Ginger Man yesterday, while waiting in the Doctor’s office. I made it to chapter 7 before I saw the Doctor, which either says something about how long I waited or the length of the chapters. This book will be a slog. I realized this after reading the first chapter and at the end of it had no idea what was going on.
Similar to Hemmingway when two characters get into conversation there’s is no “he said” then “she said” to accompany the dialogue, so the reader is left to keep track all on there own.
I read a conversation between the Protagonist Sebastian Dangerfield and his friend Kenneth O’Keefe, at least three times, and never really worked out who was saying what(chap 1 pg. 9). I recall having the same issue with Hemmingway in my high school English class too. For that class I ended up numbering each sentence of dialogue to work out who said what. I can't be bothered to do that in this book, and it's a library book anyway.
Now this could be a fault of me, the reader. I might be a total idiot not being able to keep track of who said what. Perhaps the writing is “beyond my troglodyte intelligence”, but somehow I doubt it. I just don't enjoy this type of writing.
I don’t get it. I don’t get how the rambling and often incoherent thoughts of an asshole is good writing.
Did I just say asshole? Yup, I did. Sebastian Dangerfield is an asshole. He’s a drunk, which doesn’t necessary make him an asshole, but he also beats his wife:
Marion, returns with her baby from a visit to her father. Sebastian was meant to pick her up at the train. Instead she finds him passed out drunk on the kitchen table (because he’s taken a axe to the mattress on the bed).
They argue and she comments, “I was trying to get father to do something for us and I come back to this.”
“You’re father. Your father is a sack of excrement, genteel excrement, as tight at they come. What had he been doing, playing battleship in the tub?”
Marion lunged, her slap landing across his jaw. The child began to scream in the nursery. Sebastian up off the table, He drove his fist into Marion’s face. She fell backwards against the cupboard. Dishes crashing to the floor. (Chap 4 pg 29)
And if that’s not bad enough, he then busts in the nursery door:
Took the child’s pillow from under its head and pressed it hard on the screaming mouth.
“I’ll kill it, God Damn it, I’ll kill it, if it doesn’t shut up. (chap.4 pg 29)”
And we’re supposed to like this guy?
What’s more bothersome to me, a 21st century feminist leaning woman is that Marion puts up with it. Later that evening they climb into bed and have sex. She’s quite willing and I kinda hate her.
Sure, it’s the 50’s, perhaps being punched in the face is what she grew up expecting to happen to her when she got married. I don’t know. But it bugs me. It bugs me that my son, when he is a young man will learn about this book and read it and perhaps think that's the way to treat women.
Not that I want to ban it or deny anyone access to it. But it’s hard to know that this is a very popular book with young men, there’s bars and pubs all over named after it. Sebastian Dangerfield is a Hero, in their minds. A wife beating, baby abusing hero.
It bugs me.
Nor do I want to imply that I think there is a direct link to the reading of "The Ginger Man" and men beating up their wives. That's crazy talk. But I doubt it helps.
Reading this book with the understanding that the way it portrays men is not a portrayal to ascribe too, would be very good thing.
I'm just not sure that happens.
and yeah, it bugs me.
Footnote: again, I mention that I do not think I am the target audience for this book, I'm probably not meant to enjoy it or be inspired by it. I totally get that. So I'm trying not to freak out because I think the book is crap.
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