In this bizarre and witty novel, White becomes the "editor" of the life story of Alex Xenophon Demirjian Gray, an old friend who wrote of her many experiences just before her death. As White sifts through the stories, he is reminded of his own approaching death.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
This latest novel by the Australian Nobel Prize winner (1973) takes an unusual look at the creative process, comparing it to the workings of the benignly insane mind. White assumes the role of editor of the fictitious memoirs of Alex Gray, a slightly mad old woman who, in her own words, is trying to "discoverby writing outacting out my lifethe reason for my presence on earth." As with the novelist, her acting takes place mainly in her own mind, as she creates for herself a variety of roles from Greek Orthodox nun to Shakespearean actress. Thus the title's "many in one." Only when the fragments are pieced together does the truth begin to emerge. A profound, if somewhat pessimistic, work, it belongs in all collections of serious literature.David W. Henderson, Eckerd Coll. Lib., St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Patrick White, who was born in 1912, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1973. In making the award, the Royal Swedish Academy cited his writings as "an epic and psychological narrative art which has introduced a new continent into literature." Mr. White is the author of fourteen books, including - the memoir Flaws in the Glass and the novel The Twyborn Affair.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Chaos,
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This review is from: Memoirs of Many in One (by Alex Xenophon Demirjian Gray) (Hardcover)
When I started reading this book, I got lost quickly. I just couldn't follow the story line. I had the choice of putting it away, going back to the beginning, or keep reading. I did the latter. There have been times I've done that with books that lost me early on. Some came back to life rather quickly. However, "Memoirs of Many in One" never did come around. There were moments when it seemed like I was coming out of a coma and actually followed the narative for several pages. Soon enough the book lapsed back into a confusing chaotic mish mash of I don't know what. The story intends to be the memoirs of an eccentric woman. It reads like an erotic aristocratic acid trip. I suspect that someone else may come away with the opinion that this is a briliant attempt to recreate the thought process of a deranged individual. If so, they will have probably invested a lot more time in this book than I felt it was worth to me.
Patrick White is a Nobel Prize-winning author which is why I tried to read this book in the first place. I read up on the purpose of the award and I came away thinking that the Academy wanted to award someone from Australia. (No offense to the many talented artists in Australia but does this mean Antarctica's next?). I have read a novel of his; "A Fringe of Leaves", a collection of short stories; "The Cockatoos" and now a novella; "Memoirs of Many in One". I have two other works of his yet to read; "Voss" and "Riders in the Chariot". Both are more highly rated than the aforementioned works. Both are lengthy novels. Based on my introduction, it will be a monsoon if I ever get around to reading either of them.
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