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Christopher And His Kind Paperback – September 18, 2001

3.9 out of 5 stars 20 customer reviews

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press; Reprint edition (September 18, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0816638632
  • ISBN-13: 978-0816638635
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,250,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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By B. Morse on April 8, 2005
Format: Paperback
To reveal a more candid portrait of his life between 1929 and 1939.

Christopher and His Kind explores the real story behind his travels back and forth from England to Germany, and the people and events that influenced his life during this decade of time.

Having first read 'Down there on a Visit', which draws experiences and people from this time in his life as it's foundation, it was amusing to read the 'real' story behind certain characters and situations described in the former novel.

Isherwood is far more frank about his homosexuality, and his encounters with other males, in this book, which can also be attributed to the time period in which this was written, being the 1970's, which definitely saw a more liberal attitude emerging than in the 50's, and 60's. But at the same time, he never seems 'graphic' or overindulgent in his descriptiveness. A sense of propriety and discretion carries throughout.

The only off-putting aspect of this novel to me, which lists many of Isherwoods contemporaries and friends, including Wystan Auden, E.M. Forster, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley, and more, is that Isherwood in many, many instances refers to himself in the third person, as Christopher, and then immediately switches to first person, 'me'....which is a bit confusing. It reminded me of another book by an 'autobiographical' author, Edmund White (The Married Man) in which White switches from his usual first-person narrative to a third person narrative, leaving me with the impression that he found himself unable to record the events described as anything but an outsider, or observer. I wonder if perhaps the same is true with Isherwood?

Regardless, this book delves deep into his travels, and interactions with his friends and family.
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Format: Paperback
Christopher Isherwood makes it clear in his introduction that this book will be candid about his homosexuality. It begins with his move to Berlin and covers the time up to his move to America. There are fascinating anecdotes: the character of Sally Bowles (later made famous by "Cabaret") was named after the then unknown but handsome American Paul Bowles. Isherwood read E.M. Forster's "Maurice" in manuscript, decades before it was published. These are just a few. And note: his "Diaries: Volume 1" begins just *after* this book (the earlier diaries were destroyed)
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Format: Paperback
This book is one of a kind....brilliant, great, adventurous, a classic. Words do not describe it. Isherwood lays evertything on the table. He shows all his cards. This is one of the most exciting books I've ever read. I'm a college student and I skipped all of the ten thousand other books I have to read in order to read this one. It was not a waste of time. Once you get into this book it's a blast. The best part is following Isherwood across Europe. If you want the definitive feeling about the Modern Era read this book. You will get to know such characters as EM Forster, W.H. Auden, and Virginia Woolfe.....Gee, ever heard of them? This is the last great classic Isherwood wrote. I was so entranced by the words that I stayed up all night to finnish it. It's defintiely on my all time favorite list.
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Format: Paperback
I will admit to being slightly put off by the text when I first started reading it. However, once past the unique construction of grammar and syntax, it was an enjoyable experience. I found the filter of the English class system, homosexuality and 1920's mores an interesting perspective. I would recommend reading some of Isherwood's other texts before undertaking this one as many of the stories and characters are freely referenced and revealed in a truer light. The descriptions of Germany are unique to his age and thoroughly fascinating. The story of the man he tries to save from the Nazi's is interesting, but I particularly liked the end of the novel where he broaches the future and seeking love, and true companionship. Overall I fine read.
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Format: Paperback
This book is an interesting piece of literature for different reasons.

Firstly, it is a great book for every reader who is curious to know the story line of Isherwood's life, and discover the details of the events he went through. While a bit confusing at first, the third person speech is actually quite suited to his particular way of telling his story.

Then I would like to insist on the fact that this book depicts a writer perception of the world, as Isherwood gives a lot of importance to describing how and when he wrote his novels, and who helped him do so (quite often his friend the poet Wystan Auden). A great deal of the book is about the other famous writers of his time and how he met them.

If you have seen the BBC movie of the same name, don't be surprised if you read the book as the timeline is a bit different, and also as some characters of the movie come from other novels he wrote about his stay in Berlin, and are not present in this book.

Finally, the book is also worth reading to know how Isherwood traveled and tried to save his lover from Germany, at a time when Nazis and Hitler came to power.

In a word, I'd recommend this book to everyone interested in either Christopher Isherwood, or in the 1930's and who would like to read about it from a different perspective.
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