Prater Violet - Christoper Isherwood

I haven't come across any other writer who portray the pre-World War II sentiments of the nations, people as brilliantly as Christopher Isherwood. Being in Berlin during the first half of the 1930s, he had witnessed the rise of the Hitler and Nazis in close quarters. His famous 'Berlin Trilogy' captures these subtle observations on the psyche of people. His writings are clear and simple, yet with profound impact. The book I just finished reading, is no less effective. To many this short novel stands above the celebrated 'Berlin Stories'.

Prater Violet , though published in 1945, is set in 1933-34 with Vienna as background. Young Christopher Isherwood, a writer, gets a call from the famous London Studio. He was picked to write the dialogue for a movie musical called "Prater Violet" being directed by mercurial Austrian Director Freidreich Bergmann. His knowledge of Vienna, where the film is said to be set in, is the single reason for him being selected. Despite his objection that he was never been in Vienna, and his experience is only with Berlin, the job was entrusted on him. Having accepted the job ( not very enthusiastically, however to the excitement of his widowed mother and brother), he now start working with the temperamental director. They hit it off well, aided by knowledge of German by Isherwood. The long association of mentor and disciple thus begun, with the working on the script.

Isherwood in his amazing simplicity with his language, draws us to the process of film making with some entertaining characters. The owner of the studio Chatsworth, the lead actors, and the supporting units. What is beyond the obvious filming process , with its ups and downs, is the gradual development of mutual admiration between the writer and director is build magnificently. Even though the filming is in London, Bergmann's wife and daughter are stuck at Austria about whom he is hugely concerned. The entire Europe is in the grip of anxiety and fear of the imminent war. The caution and precautions are evident. While the initial phases of shooting went on with out much of an issue, but as the news of German occupation of Austria and the resistance from the locals started appearing in London, the entire system had been affected. Tormented between his love for his family and the work, Bergmann lost his passion and interest, only to be confronted by the studio bosses. In the end every thing was well and Bergmann produced a classic and went on to the Hollywood to direct movies.

Chritpher Isherwood, the character, like the writer sits at the periphery with keen observation of the people and events as they appear and unfold. Unlike his character Isherwood, we the writer Isherwood, donning the dress of a director managing his cast and resources to some great effects. Isherwood's, language and style is perfect, concise , clear and efficient ( Efficiency a word he keep using in the narrative). The humour, which is in abundance is inclusive , never loud.

While the novel is a satirical take on film making, its emphasize is on the metaphorical relation between people and nations. Bergmann's constant fear of a European collapse of civilization succumbing to the Germans to Isherwood's need of living in the fantasy world of scripts and actors and more importantly his worries of the well being of his mentor Bergmann. Refined writing, well crafted, beautifully narrated book. Brilliant.

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Prater Violet ( 1945)

Christopher Isherwood

Vintage Paperback

122 Pages
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Wiki entry , Berkely

Mr Norris Changes Trains - Christopher Isherwood

Couple of years ago, I read " A Singleman" and I was hugely impressed with this writer. It was JP who suggested I should be reading his 'Berlin Stories'. Mr.Norris Changes Trains, is an impressive book, while I have not read the other, Goodbye to Berlin. English born writer spent many years in Berlin, in the early thirties, witnessing the rise of Hitler and the Nazis to power and his books can give us remarkable insight to the socio-political undercurrents of Berlin, prior to the World War II.

Mr.Norris changes trains also focusses on the political scene of Germany, with the increasing influence of the Nazis, the persecution of the Communists, the French and English spy works in a subtle story telling. At the outset this looks like typical fiction focusses on the idiosyncrasies of one Arthur Norris and the narrator William Bradshaw ( the middle name of the writer himself) , the English expatriate in Berlin, who acquaint Norris during a train journey to Berlin. Mr.Norris, with his classy mannerisms, his lifestyle that suits the upper class with his fine tastes of food, drink and women manages to put up a great show to his new friend with all its grandeur. Bradshaw, lives in a small room , earn his living from teaching English, it awed by Norris and his way of living. It was evident that all that was shown up front has some thing cooking up underneath. Norris, supposedly doing some business with his associate Schmidt , seems to be hitting rough weather. Leaving Berlin, norris seems to have found new home at Paris, and it was only after amassing sufficient amount of money, he returns to Berlin.

Schmidt is having his way around Norris, evidently black mailing his and threatening him. Norris, manages to convince Bradshaw for a favour with his aristocrat friend Baron Pregnitz, for a meeting with a mysterious Margot from France, in a Swiss ski resort, which potentially bring fortunes to Norris. Bayer, the Communist leader of Berlin, summon Bradshaw from Switzerland and reveals the secret nature of Norris' business with the French intelligentsia. Newly crowned Nazi leadership is tightening their hook on Norris and the communists ( who, including their leader Bayer were executed by Hitler's police) and Bradshaw prepare Norris for his eventual escape from Berlin. However, as the title reveal, the journey does not end for Norris as he moves from one continet to other from one country to other. Novel ends with a quote from the post card that was sent by Norris, from Rio to Bradwhaw " Tell me, Willian...what have I done to deserve all this ?"

It isn't the mysterious nature of Norris and the revelation of Bradshaw about the clandestine activities of him that makes the book interesting. It is the subtle moods of the situation in Germany at that time of writing the book. The book was written and published in 1935, while Hitler was rising to power. Isherwood does not try to hide the names and places of people in the political and power centers. He also observe the minute changes in the social structure, the Jews, the gaining of Aryan superiority , the dwindling influence of Communists, the spy network and the secret services.

The style and language is perfect, with the characterisation of Norris and his prudent ways. However, you are constantly reminded of the the style that was associated with the first half of the twentieth century. Good book, easy read, but I recommend 'A Singleman' to this.

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Mr Norris Changes Trains ( 1935 )

Christopher Isherwood

Vintage

230 Pages
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Wiki

A Single Man - Christopher Isherwood

With the recent release of the film adaptation of this book, it surged again in the circulation and discussion in the literary world. Christopher Isherwood's tale of a gay College Professor  in California, through one of his usual days in existence.  In an interestingly mixed narrative, shifting between first person and third person , also into his alter ego , the reader goes through sympathetically through his daily motions..

"Waking up begins with saying am and now. That which has awoken , then lies for a while staring up at the ceiling and down into itself until it has recognised. I, and therefrom deduced I am, I am now".

"Staring and staring into the mirror, it sees many faces within its face - the face of the child, the boy, the young man, the not-so-young-man all present still, preserved like fossils on superimposed layers, and like fossils dead. Their message to this live dying creature is: Look at us- we have died- what is there to be afraid of ?
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Obediently, it washes, shaves, brushes its hair; for it accepts its responsibilities to the others. It is even glad that it has its place among them.. it knows its name. It is called George"

Living an isolated life for eight months, after the death of his mate Jim , who died in a car crash, George is a lone soul in every sense. His alternate sexual preferences which he does not hide, makes him aloof from the neighbours, his students and colleagues to a large extent. We follow him from his daily motion from being awake in the morning , brushing and getting ready for his teaching assignments, his visits to the friend of Jim, who is in her deathbed, a dinner meeting with friend Charlotte , before having another boozy evening where he is accompanied by Kenny , one of his student, whom he invites to his house.

His life is transparent. There is no pretentious self in motion. Be his sexuality, his admiration for good looking men ( those playing tennis in body tight attire, those in the Gym which he frequent) , his love and loss of his friend Jim, his open and frank discussion with Charlie and Kenny.  There is always a longing for a company, and though he likes the company of Charlie, and given the fact that she has been desiring for him despite his known orientation, he rejects her advances. ( It is not that she does not know his preferences, but as he says "Do women ever stop trying? No. But, because they never stop, they learn to be good losers.").  But it was in the evening when Kenny comes in to the Gay Bar which George frequent, his hidden desire and lust came out in the open. Guided by the alcohol, he looses himself and flirts with the young boy, goes for a swim in the sea, invites him home, provide him with dress before he himself fall into dreamy sleeps and hallucinations of death amidst his desire for a new company

Though the theme and sequence looks simple, the book is fabulous for the way Isherwood had treated the subject. The use of outstanding prose,  while on the edge of intellectually stimulating, but retaining the simplicity. The portrayal of character George, in its true sense, and all humility. He is very open in every engagement.

Proud of his European origins, his take on the cold war era with the Cuban Missile crisis at its peak, there is discussion on potential war with USSR at the academic circles, George is pre-occupied with his on fights for survival. He is a British living in America, a homo sexual in a heterosexual world, intellect to the dull academics and neighbours, man with exquisite tastes to the dull and stupid surroundings.

There is melancholy in the reading, without any written words. He on his part is witty, and flirtatious ( at times) and intelligent but you cant but sympathise with George.

One outstanding work of literature in 152 pages. Stunning prose, beautifully formed sentences, appropriate tonal and lyrical shifts .The more you read, your admiration grow for this brilliant writer. I have to watch the adaptation soon.  Also, to find out other books and get hold of them.

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A Single Man  ( 1964 )

Christopher Isherwood

Vintage Classic

152 Pages

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Here are some brilliant reviews of this book : Asylum , The Guardian , Speakitsname, shigekuni