After the excitement of considering revamping the Penguin Projects, it seems only fitting that I should continue to move on through the various collections I have; and after the disappointment of my first foray into Japanese Literature Month, I thought I would return to the Penguin Moderns to try to ensure a good read – which these two certainly delivered!
Penguin Modern 34 – The Duke in his Domain by Truman Capote
Capote is an author with whom I’m fairly familiar (and who probably needs no introduction); I read “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “In Cold Blood” back in the day, and loved and admired both. In particular, I find his journalism compelling, so I was particularly keen on reading this short work: a profile of the young Marlon Brando, marooned in a Kyoto hotel whilst filming “Sayonara”. First published in 1957 in the New Yorker, the piece makes absorbing reading.
As Capote reveals, he had first run into Brando in the actor’s early years appearing on stage in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Then, Brando had been at the start of his career; here, he’s at the top of his game, a box office certainty, and in many ways an enigma. Whether attempting to write his own screenplays, studying the various philosophy books strewn around his room or juggling his entourage, Brando remains basically unknowable, completely enigmatic. Capote observes and records, as the perfect journalist would do, and really captures the time and place and the mystique.
What struck me, too, as I read this Modern, was the strong impression I got from it of Japan; a stronger impression, I have to say, than I got from “The Housekeeper and The Professor”…. Which I suppose tells you much about the quality of Capote’s writing. An excellent entry in the Penguin Moderns collection and a nudge to me to read more of Capote’s non-fiction!
Penguin Modern 36 – Leaving the Yellow House by Saul Bellow
The next Modern is an author I know of but have never read – Saul Bellow. A Canadian-American author who won all manner of literary prizes (including the Nobel), I guess maybe “Herzog” is his best known work. First published in Esquire in 1958, and in book form a decade later, “Leaving the Yellow House” is an evocative and beautifully written story of a woman and a house and the West.
The main character is an older woman called Hattie, who lives on her own in the Yellow House near a desert town by Sego Desert Lake. Hattie is a hard-drinking character with a past; and a car accident and injury forces her to attempt to face up not only to what’s happened in her life so far, but also whether she has any future. Her only friends are a few local neighbours, some of whom will help and some who will take advantage; and as the story progresses we explore Hattie’s past with the various men in her life, her complex relationship with her friend India, and her drinking. That latter element has become the most important part of her life (in fact, certain flashbacks hint it might always have been), and I ended the story wondering what would eventually become of Hattie.
“Leaving the Yellow House” is a title with a double meaning as you’ll see if you read this story; and I do recommend it highly. It’s beautifully written, very evocative and captures the area in which Hattie lives vividly. Bellow obviously deserved all the awards he received, and this was a brilliant introduction to his writing.
*****
So once again, a pair of great Penguin Moderns featuring two titans of American writing. Re-encountering Capote was a real joy, and discovering Bellow a revelation. And that’s basically what I’m hoping to get out of these little books – renewal of acquaintances or an introduction to new writing. Perfect! ;D
Jan 20, 2021 @ 07:52:23
Am really intrigued at seeing Japan through Capote’s eyes. And Marlon of course. Yes, Saul Bellow is the one I have most respect for from that generation of male American writers.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:10:21
The Capote is fascinating, and actually ties in a little with the slim Mishima I was talking about last night. Such a great author. As for Bellow, I went into the book knowing little and having no preconceptions and was pretty impressed!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 09:25:37
I’m attracted to the Truman Capote.I’ve never read Bellow so perhaps I should give it a go.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:02:02
Both of these were really good reads – Capote is such a great writer. And I was pleasantly surprised with the Bellow!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 10:15:02
The Capote sounds fascinating. Perhaps Brando’s enigmatic perosona was a defence agaisnt the demands of fame even in the ’50s.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:01:36
Definitely! And those demand resonate with a little Mishima I read recently and which will be covered on the blog eventually. Fame is not something I think I would like…
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:30:18
Me, neither! Not an aspiration for introverts. Fortunately, there’s no chance of it happening.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:37:49
LOL! Not for me, anyway!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 10:46:53
I love your Penguin Modern reviews; at some point I’ll be inspired to tackle my own set! I’ve never read Saul Bellow, lumping him (out of total ignorance) into a group of mid to late century American male writers whom I’ve avoided. Yellow House sounds like a perfect way to sample his writing & test my prejudices.
Based on the two books you’ve mentioned (Cold Blood & Breakfast), plus his debut novel (Other Voices, Other Rooms; coming of age told Southern Gothic style) I really like Capote’s work. I’d never really thought of reading more of his straight journalism, but his portrait of Marlon B sounds very, very tempting.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 11:00:50
Happy to be of service! Bellow was someone I wouldn’t have gravitated towards naturally either, so I’m glad this set nudged me. He was much more nuanced than I expected.
And the Capote was great – on the basis of this I really do want to read more of his journalism.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 12:11:45
How did you find Bellow’s style in the short story? Easy enough? Requiring concentration?
I found his first two novels – Dangling Man and The Victim – readable, but when I moved to his third, The Adventures of Augie March, I retreated. May just have been not the novel for me at the time, or I wasn’t able to slow down and properly take it in, but it’s still an expedition I’m intent on once again taking.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 14:48:34
It was very readable, and I slipped through the story quite quickly – but then it’s a short story, and so any stylistic issues may not have been too pronounced. I’d like to read more at some point, and interesting what you say about Augie. Could well be wrong time for the book, or maybe he went for a big stylistic change! 😀
Jan 20, 2021 @ 14:49:43
Capote’s non-fiction book is ‘In Cold Blood’.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 14:57:23
You’re right. That’s what I get for reviewing in a hurry! Off to edit it…. ;D
Jan 20, 2021 @ 15:45:18
I haven’t read either of these authors (I know, not even Capote!) but I’ve got something by Bellow coming up so interesting thoughts on his style (especially after the struggle of Faulkner!) They both sound well worth reading, thanks!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 15:49:17
Oh excellent – I’ll be keen to hear what you think of the Bellow! And I do recommend Capote – he writes so well!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 16:27:07
I already love Truman Capote’s writing and so that first title particularly appeals. His writing always has a strong sense of place so no surprise that you got such a strong sense of Japan here. I have never read Saul Bellow but Leaving the Yellow House sounds excellent too. What a fascinating pair of moderns.
Jan 20, 2021 @ 18:42:54
Capote’s writing is wonderful, isn’t i t? As for Bellow, I was impressed, particularly as I had no idea what to expect and didn’t know if I’d like him!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 18:49:33
I’m definitely interested in the Capote, especially given the focus on Brando. There was certainly an aura about him based on other snippets and accounts…
Jan 20, 2021 @ 19:15:59
The Capote is great and Brando very much an enigma. I think you would like this one a lot, Jacqui, given your interest in film!
Jan 20, 2021 @ 19:30:18
Yes, I think I would! He’s magnetic in Streetcar…
Jan 20, 2021 @ 19:31:03
Well, it’s not a particularly pricey book… ;D
Jan 21, 2021 @ 13:40:16
Well, back to reality after that emotional day yesterday. I’m glad this was a good read after the earlier disappointment; Capote did have a way with words. I found the work Bellow set in Chicago especially interesting, he knew his city well.
Jan 21, 2021 @ 19:03:53
Yesterday was some day in the USA – so happy for you! And yes – the Capote was marvellous and I do want to explore Bellow more!
Jan 21, 2021 @ 20:44:59
Bless you, yes it was really emotional, the sanity and competence is a bit of shock to the system!
Jan 21, 2021 @ 20:49:14
I think we were all enthused by the obvious happiness emanating from your country yesterday!
Jan 22, 2021 @ 12:40:21
These sound like great little books that I’d enjoy. I like Capote too – and I like Japan, so double reason for wanting to read this. (BTW Do you mean “In cold blood”? If so, I thought that was a wonderful read.)
I have read Saul Bellow, The adventures of Augie March, and have always meant to read more of his. This might be a nice little addition!
Jan 22, 2021 @ 14:28:23
It’s a wonderful series with such a brilliant selection of authors. I *did* mean In Cold Blood and have now changed the post – such a brilliant book. As for Bellow, I’m definitely enthused by my reading of this – an excellent story.
Jan 22, 2021 @ 20:38:40
So easy to get titles wrong , the older we get and the more we read!
Jan 23, 2021 @ 12:31:22
Most definitely!!! ;D
Jan 22, 2021 @ 22:11:00
Now that you’re resuming this series, I find myself yearning for the set myself, more than ever. (Maybe you’ve been quite steady with it, maybe I’m only paying more attention now.) It also intrigues me, how much work was previously published in The New Yorker. Rachel Carson’s works were serialized there too. It’s a good reminder that we should probably be subscribing, to catch a peek of the future Penguin skinny classics. LOL
Jan 23, 2021 @ 12:30:13
It is a beautiful set, and really has some wonderful authors and texts. And yes – maybe I should pay more attention to the New Yorker!!
Jan 23, 2021 @ 18:45:22
A great pair and an intriguing look at Japan, I didn’t realise he’d written about the country!
Jan 24, 2021 @ 12:12:38
They were really interesting books – and though the Capote was really meant to be about Brando, the location came through so strongly! 😀
Jan 26, 2021 @ 14:36:33
Forgive me for skimming the review as I just got the collection. I haven’t read Bellow yet so that will be a treat. The only Capote I’ve read was The Glass Harp and that was wonderful.
Jan 26, 2021 @ 15:52:04
The collection is fab – just love all of the Moderns so far. You have treats in store!!
Jan 26, 2021 @ 16:34:02
I started with the poems of William Carlos Williams.
Jan 27, 2021 @ 13:52:33
Oooh – looking forward to that one!!
Jan 27, 2021 @ 15:10:38
It’s wonderful.
Jan 30, 2021 @ 21:09:02
I was surprised at how small these were when they arrived! I found the Bellow hard to get into – it was brilliantly written but hard to relate to. The Capote was the other way round – I didn’t know much about Brando, his films/style aren’t my thing, but was really taken by him. I was a bit surprised that Brando was putting on so much weight in Japan and then my question about this was answered a bit later. Very well observed with sparse but well chosen bits of direct speech – I was surprised by Brando’s seriousness and desire to do good and felt like I was getting the sense of a whole person.
Jan 31, 2021 @ 10:13:19
They are diddy, yes! But surprisingly packed for the size. I wasn’t sure at first how I would take to the Bellow and though it’s not a world or subject I would normally read about, his writing is so good.
As for Capote and Brando, I’m not a fan of the latter but the books was again a brilliant piece of writing. Capote really did seem to capture the actor!
Feb 01, 2021 @ 21:57:25
I’ve not come across this Bellow before, but I do love his work. I may buy it… After all, I’m only goin out for walks, so I’m saving money really”
Feb 02, 2021 @ 11:17:53
Exactly! So no reason not to give yourself a little treat! 😀