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Love in the Ruins Paperback – Unabridged, September 1, 1999

by Walker Percy (Author)

541 ratings

Part of: Dr. Tom More (2 books)

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Dr. Tom More has created a stethoscope of the human spirit. With it, he embarks on an unforgettable odyssey to cure mankind's spiritual flu. This novel confronts both the value of life and its susceptibility to chance and ruin.

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Part of series

Dr. Tom More
Print length

416 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Picador
Publication date

September 1, 1999
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.92 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0312243111
ISBN-13

978-0312243111

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A great adventure...So outrageous and so real, one is left speechless.” ―Chicago Sun Times

“Immensely readable, vividly entertaining.” ―Los Angeles Times

“Brilliant and hilarious . . . some of the most fascinating characters you'll ever encounter.” ―Dallas Morning News

“One of the major novels of our time.” ―Milwaukee Journal

From the Publisher

"A great adventure...So outrageous and so real, one is left speechless." --Chicago Sun-Times

"A comedy of love against a field of anarchy...Percy is easily one of the finest writers we have." --New York Times Book Review

"Immensely readable, vividly entertaining." --Los Angeles Times

"Brilliant and hilarious...some of the most fascinating characters you'll ever encounter." --Dallas Morning News

"One of the major novels of our time." --Milwaukee Journal

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Picador
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 1999
Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st (first)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312243111
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312243111
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.92 x 8.5 inches
Part of series ‏ : ‎ Dr. Tom More
Best Sellers Rank: #147,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,151 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #3,831 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #5,171 in Literary Fiction (Books)
Customer Reviews:
541 ratings

About the author

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Walker Percy

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Walker Percy (1916–1990) was one of the most prominent American writers of the twentieth century. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the oldest of three brothers in an established Southern family that contained both a Civil War hero and a U.S. senator. Acclaimed for his poetic style and moving depictions of the alienation of modern American culture, Percy was the bestselling author of six fiction titles—including the classic novel The Moviegoer (1961), winner of the National Book Award—and fifteen works of nonfiction. In 2005, Time magazine named The Moviegoer one of the best English-language books published since 1923.

Customer reviews

541 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the book humorous, particularly as a post-apocalyptic satire, and appreciate the author's astonishingly skilful prose. Moreover, they consider it a must-read that is thought-provoking and eerily relevant to the present, with one customer noting its profound insights into human nature. However, the pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it engaging while others describe it as nonsensical. Additionally, opinions on character development and value for money are divided, with some loving the characters while others find them flat, and some considering it worthwhile while others say it's not worth the time.

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Humor Writing quality Readability Thought provoking Relevance Pacing Value for money Character development

16 customers mention "Humor"14 positive2 negative

Customers find the book humorous, particularly appreciating its post-apocalyptic satire, with one customer noting how the author lays bare the human condition with wit.

"As a bad catholic myself I found this book hilarious and at the same time thought provoking...." Read more

"Classic post apocalyptic satire." Read more

"Quite profound, prescient, and funny book for having so much sex in it." Read more

"Funny in parts. Confusing in others. Tragic in its entirety...." Read more

14 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive1 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting the author's astonishingly skillful prose and their status as a great American writer, with one customer highlighting its perfect relevance to the time of writing.

"Same review as last one. Great writer, keeps you coming back for more. Aiming now for the sequel, can't wait." Read more

"The wonderful writing of Walter Percy gets all the stars and really deserves five, but I personally dislike the science fiction element and storyline." Read more

"Haven't quite finished yet, but the writing is excellent and the insights into human nature profound...." Read more

"Very well written. The use of language and prose reminded me a little of Pat Conroy - but the characters felt flat to me...." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"9 positive2 negative

Customers find the book engaging and a must-read, with one customer noting it makes them feel smarter after finishing it.

"Amazing that a sane person could write this. Well worth reading this great American author." Read more

"...A must read, especially for dystopian enthusiasts." Read more

"...Was enjoyable to read, if not always followable. I may have skimmed through a few parts to get to the unfolding of the plot...." Read more

"...what's happening, but it's the sort of book that is personally rewarding to read... and not as pessimistic as Cormac McCarthy...." Read more

11 customers mention "Thought provoking"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer noting its profound insights into human nature, while another describes it as a great example of Percy's mind and work.

"...catholic myself I found this book hilarious and at the same time thought provoking...." Read more

"Absolutely hilarious and prophetic. A masterwork." Read more

"Quite profound, prescient, and funny book for having so much sex in it." Read more

"Great postmodern American novel....gives great insight into the workings of Walker Percy's mind. The man was truly a modern American prophet." Read more

7 customers mention "Relevance"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book eerily relevant to the present, with one customer noting how it portrays current society and another mentioning it's great for book club discussions.

"An excellent dystopia, very relevant for today...." Read more

"...Might be great for a book club to discuss. Mrs. C." Read more

"...His is a cynicism that entertains, relates, and amuses me no end. I am still reading this book. I have read one other. Will read some more...." Read more

"Quite a satire. Eerily relevant to the present. Not so good for women readers." Read more

13 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it a glorious portrait of their times, while others describe it as nonsensical and depressing.

"Worst book I've ever read. Extremely confusing and nonsensical...." Read more

"...It is also science fiction in that it is set in the near future and the narrator has invented a lapsometer to measure the mental (spiritual)..." Read more

"Book arrived as advertised. A very dated and quirky book - a different look at current racial issues. I took it that way and enjoyed it...." Read more

"...United States as seen through the eyes of a deeply flawed but sympathetic figure. I found myself thinking about the fall of Rome." Read more

7 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value for money, with some finding it worthwhile while others say it's not worth the time.

"...Ridiculous and silly, but tender and moving still. On re-reading the book recently, I found it startlingly relevant to today's cultural divides." Read more

"...Not worth my time, that's for sure." Read more

"...Not an easy read, but definitely worthwhile. I feel smarter for having read, it and probably will want to re-read it...." Read more

"...The various attempts at action towards the end of the book are ridiculous and cringe inducing...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some loving them while others find them flat.

"...Science and medicine are also included. Really a charming protagonist, a doctor, who loves alcohol and women and has many friends in his small..." Read more

"...and prose reminded me a little of Pat Conroy - but the characters felt flat to me...." Read more

"...I also like how he loves his characters." Read more

"...- but what still makes the book original is that the main character is not a hopeless cynic - and even being a Bad Catholic, is opened to redemption...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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Nancy Hamilton
After All These Years
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I first read this book when it was originally published in the early 70s. I loved it then and I love it now. Walker Percy satirized the extremes found in the culture at the time: the sexual revolution, the revolution in the Catholic Church following Vatican II, even the Civil Rights Movement. Ridiculous and silly, but tender and moving still. On re-reading the book recently, I found it startlingly relevant to today's cultural divides.

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12 people found this helpful

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Mrs. C.
Fantastic end of culture romp
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Percy Walker is a brilliant, wonderful, poetic Southern writer. A long stream of consciousness, sometimes difficult to follow fantasy through a not too distant time wherein America finds itself facing the consequences of its original sins. Some cultural slangs are in there, (I looked up several for reference) but perfectly relevant to the time of writing and the story, which does include cultural justice / evolution at the conclusion. A prescient revelation from another time. This novel feels like an LSD trip, from what I've heard about them. Was enjoyable to read, if not always followable. I may have skimmed through a few parts to get to the unfolding of the plot. I found some similarities to Faulkner. Interesting that Walker was a close friend from childhood of other Southern writers. Though there are cultural references that are more offensive now than when they were written, Walker seems definitely on the side of oppressed cultural groups who are organizing and more. . . . extremely thought provoking. This may be something of an autobiography, in some strange ways - for instance, the way the author / narrator interacts with various types of women, genuinely loves them all, and makes you wonder who he will end up with at the end of all the unraveling of the culture. As a doctor / scientist the narrator/protagonist invents a "tool" that can measure brain activity, character, and "soul" - which I think is actually his own brain, judging the character of American culture. Not an easy read, but definitely worthwhile. I feel smarter for having read, it and probably will want to re-read it. Might be great for a book club to discuss. Mrs. C.

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19 people found this helpful

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david op
Different but engaging
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
It's a long ways from movie goer in tone, pace and plot. It reads a bit like a writer's exercise in genre, which can be annoying at times. Thanks to the author's astonishingly skilful prose and portraiture it succeeds at being an engaging read.

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One person found this helpful

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Philip Blosser
Evelyn Waugh on crack
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2006
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
If you like the Catholic Flannery O'Connor's depth analysis of human nature, and can endure its frequent morbidity; if you like Evelyn Waugh's sense of humor and thought The Loved One was amusing; try Walker Percy. Walker Percy is Evelyn Waugh on crack. And the place to start is with Percy's Love in the Ruins. It's not his first novel, or even the first to win him recognition (that would be his Moviegoer). But it's a tour-de-force analysis of the human condition in a Louisiana setting by a womanizing, semi-alcoholic, lapsed Catholic protagonist who, despite (or by means of?) the hyterical laughter of the reader, sheds new light at every turn on the human condition. One imagines the brilliant Percy, with twinkling eye, smiling down upon the event. (The next book to read must be Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book, a book unlike any other in the cosmos -- not a novel, but another absolute must-read!

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56 people found this helpful

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William
Worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2018
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Superb book. A captivating, somewhat tongue in cheek, but all too credible story about the fall of the United States as seen through the eyes of a deeply flawed but sympathetic figure. I found myself thinking about the fall of Rome.

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One person found this helpful

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Loudon Is A Fool
Funny. Perceptive. Prophetic.
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2005
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
What a wreck are Catholics in America.

Men in love with their loins demand the Church bless their private demons. Men in love with their country demand the Church endorse consumerism and pre-emptive war. That the left puts their passions before their Faith is hardly news. But Percy also recognizes an Americanist tendency among members of the Catholic right; although this might be a bit of the pot calling the kettle black since Percy may have a criticism or two of his own for the contemplative life.

Are Americans too proud, too disobedient, and too narcissistic to ever be good Catholics? Is this a modern malaise, or is it who we have always been? Will the sickness noted by Orestes Brownson, and battled by Pope Leo XIII, and forgotten by most in the following century be always with us? Who knows? But we're unlikely to exorcise this demon any time soon. So what can we do? Maybe get back to metaphysics. And maybe read a few good books by Walker Percy. Of which this is one. Better than the Moviegoer, but certainly worse than Lancelot. Right-wing orthodox Catholic monarchists will find a few things not to their liking. But when don't they.

This is Percy, so be aware that there are a few nagoy cheenas showing off their groodies to drooling vecks looking for the old in-out-in-out. But you can't capture the displacement of modern man without at least acknowledging his bestial sexuality.

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12 people found this helpful

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James G. Bruen Jr.
An Insightful Comic Masterpiece
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2012
Verified Purchase
I've long thought that Lancelot: A Novel is Walker Percy's masterpiece but somehow I had overlooked his Love in the Ruins, which is a brilliantly comic pungent reflection on man, the purpose of life, family, and society.

Dr. Thomas More, a lapsed Catholic who loves women, music and science, liquor, God fourth, and his fellow man hardly at all, invents a lapsometer to measure the depths of men's souls and tries to heals a fractured and ailing mankind of its woes while himself in psychological and moral disarray. The admonition physician heal thyself is answered by the subtly presented insight that some healings require a power beyond that of men.

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12 people found this helpful

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mary bouwma
not what i expected
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
not what i hoped it would be

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
Worth the read
Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2020
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Interesting literature, tantalising, unique.

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Earl Benshaw
Medical basis of Angelism and Bestialism discovered
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This book has been one of my favourites for 40 years. I started reading Walker Percy when a friend gave me The Moviegoer (Percy's first novel - a good place to start). This book reflects his unique view of the world in a combination of fantasy, medicine, political observation and cynicism. The medicine is really fun (Percy was a doctor) because it is such a combination of reality and zaniness. I can't tell you what the book is about (if anything) but if you read it (you should) then the following comments will make sense as the story unfolds. Tom More invents a device that can triangulate electrical activity in the brain and the Devil (AKA Art Immelmann) develops an attachment that allows you to stimulate those areas - for better or worse - you can imagine the outcome (or maybe not). I love the mix of medicine and fun - narrated by a psychiatrist who prefers the terms angelism and bestialism to describe brain activity. This book has snipers, gin fizzes, a golf course where the grass never needs to be cut, clouds of heavy sodium, Christian proctologists, three ladies hiding from snipers in an abandoned motel and a linguist in an old people's home who is almost euthanized because he can't stand "chickenshit Ohioans" who get in his way as he discovers the Fountain of Youth. It's a weird and whacky exploration of how people who seek the truth deal with morning terror in a world where the incredibly mundane mixes with magic. My favourite quote: "The prayer of the scientist if he prayed, which is not likely: Lord grant that my discovery may increase knowledge and help other men. Failing that, grant that it will not lead to man's destruction. Failing that, Lord, grant that my article in BRAIN be published before the destruction takes place."

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Logrunner
Captivating but directionless
Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A very original and amusing of caricature of US society and difficult to believe it was written so long ago. It postulates a future where society is breaking down in unexplained ways endowing the whole story with a sense of foreboding. (Eg Why is the hero the only person who sees creepers growing mysteriously everywhere.). If you believe the hero was watching Perry Como at 70 live on TV then it was set in 1982 but then he says the war in Ecuador had been going on 15 years and as it was written in 1971 the actual imagined timeframe is unclear. Its repetition can be funny as when referring to the heathen Englishman who ran off with his wife but becomes a little tedious with gin fizzes mentioned 34 times according to Kindle.
The problem inevitably is that it is impossible for such a crazy story to have proper conclusion. So just enjoy the ride. 3.5 stars a better assessment

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Canadian Joe
Modern Prophecy at Its Best
Reviewed in Canada on June 21, 2016
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Surrealistic. Prescient. Prophetic. Written in the mid-1980s, and portraying today. Spectacularly well-written and insightful.

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