Loved this novel. I'm not sure I'd describe Hurstwood as odious. Yes, he was jealous that Drouet had a girl like Carrie and yes he eventually leaves his family after tricking Carrie into leaving with him, but Hurstwood's home wasn't exactly a warm, fuzzy place. He felt as though he was nothing more than an inexhaustible source of economic resources to his wife and children, that they didn't really care for him, that his wife had no real affection for him anymore. I'm not saying he was justified in his actions, just that his actions were understandable. "Some mistakes are too monstrous for remorse" applies to Hurstwood. His comeuppance however represents one of the most graphic and harrowing depictions of a fall from grace. When Hurstwood killed himself I felt a depression that held on to my spirit for a very long time.
The novels writing to me reminded me of watching the old Hollywood movies with my grandma in that the writing was stylized to make you imagine watching a play on stage. I hear her point about language with excerpt about the "evening" but it didnt bother me much because it just created atmosphere. Also given age of this novel Im wasn't bothered much either when attitudes of times leech into the writing because it has side effect of helping me to mentally see Carrie in the eyes and bias of that period. I also enjoyed the descriptions of how people searched for work, the stores and was curious that Hurstwood didnt seem to own a razor and went to barbershop often even out of habits when deep in money problems.
Loved this novel. I'm not sure I'd describe Hurstwood as odious. Yes, he was jealous that Drouet had a girl like Carrie and yes he eventually leaves his family after tricking Carrie into leaving with him, but Hurstwood's home wasn't exactly a warm, fuzzy place. He felt as though he was nothing more than an inexhaustible source of economic resources to his wife and children, that they didn't really care for him, that his wife had no real affection for him anymore. I'm not saying he was justified in his actions, just that his actions were understandable. "Some mistakes are too monstrous for remorse" applies to Hurstwood. His comeuppance however represents one of the most graphic and harrowing depictions of a fall from grace. When Hurstwood killed himself I felt a depression that held on to my spirit for a very long time.
Interesting thoughts!
@@MissThinkabunch What are yours?
The novels writing to me reminded me of watching the old Hollywood movies with my grandma in that the writing was stylized to make you imagine watching a play on stage. I hear her point about language with excerpt about the "evening" but it didnt bother me much because it just created atmosphere. Also given age of this novel Im wasn't bothered much either when attitudes of times leech into the writing because it has side effect of helping me to mentally see Carrie in the eyes and bias of that period. I also enjoyed the descriptions of how people searched for work, the stores and was curious that Hurstwood didnt seem to own a razor and went to barbershop often even out of habits when deep in money problems.
Please let her speak and finish, don’t interrupt her.