The Review
To kick off the month I have decided to focus on Elliot Perlman’s gem of a novel 7 Types of Ambiguity (a Novel). I have several reasons for choosing to post about this particular book first.
- Number one (and possibly the most important), it took me by surprise. Because I read books so frequently I often find myself feeling indifferent towards random books (and this was most definitely a random). Imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered I had stumbled upon a relatively unknown story about a man and his borderline psychopathic obsession with perfect love.
- Of all the books on my list, this may be the most light-hearted. I read it fast and whole-heartedly enjoyed turning every page.
Upon beginning the book I had little idea of what to expect. I knew that the title was based upon a book of poetry of the same name, and little else. While the author goes into the aforementioned book of poetry briefly it isn’t until three fourths of the book is finished, and really it is only to describe the 7 “types” of ambiguity people can become entrapped in. That is really what this novel is about;
The ambiguity that is our life from everyday, matters to the most important of events.
More prominent than the book it is named after is the fact that the unfolding storyline is told from 7 perspectives. The narrators range from key plot characters to characters only introduced in the final act. Some of the included are perspectives from the main character (obviously), his shrink, his prostitute, and of course, his great love.
Lest you think I would recommend a traditional love story I must assure it is not. The novel is a raw look at how the ending of one influential relationship impacts an otherwise caring, compassionate and intelligent man. A man, who under ordinary circumstances is unusual for his gripping ideals and out of the box thinking. It is these very traits that are both his great gift and ultimate undoing.
The book delves into the psyche of characters that are traditionally considered “bad” or “immoral” from societal standards and ultimately has you if not rooting for the bad guy, than sympathizing with his plight. The author also uses the main character as a platform to try out some of his more radical thoughts about life and the reader is privilege to be apart of many discussions of a philosophical nature. This was perhaps the reason I was so turned on to this book.
I found the internal dialogue within the characters intriguing and insightful. Encompassed within these persepectives are thoughts on love, the economy, freedom of thought, eternal optimism, indecision and the realization that one day we are all going to wake up and wonder how exactly we became the people we are today.
The Synopsis
I suppose, with this being a book review and to inspire you to want to read this book I should include a brief synopsis. Like I said earlier the book is broken down into 7 perspectives. Perlman chose, however, to not look at one event 7 different ways but rather move the plot along through his numerous characters. So as a reader, you only ever see one perspective on the happenings of the plot line. By doing this Perlman incorporates that theme of ambiguity into the readers imagination.
It is up to you, as the reader, to discern just how the other characters are feeling at any particular moment through an amalgamation of characteristics based upon first hand narration and the perception of the other narrators.
I digress though, once again getting distracted from the true purpose of this post in paraphrasing. Basically the main character is 10 years after the fact, still obsessed with his college girlfriend and in his own, slightly endearing way, stalks her. He becomes entangled with a prostitute who cares for him and becomes indebted to his shrink, who to his own detriment reciprocates the intense feelings of friendship. At the peak of the plot the main character kidnaps the object of his longing’s child, forcing his friends to question not only his sanity but theirs as well.
To complicate matters and give the book a “Crash”-like feel of interconnectivity the husband of college girlfriend is a regular of main character’s prostitute and said husband’s business partner frequents our main character’s shrink. This interconnectivity allows you to fully understand the gap that is the difference in how we view ourselves and how others view us. Overall was this my favorite book? Not a chance. Was I pleasantly surprised? Definitely.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Anyone looking to perhaps expand their notion of simple right and wrong and add a little bit of philosophy to their normal pleasure reading.
