"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Ford's novel revolves around two couples: Edward Ashburnham--the title's soldier--and his capable if off-putting wife, Leonora; and long-transplanted Americans John and Florence Dowell. The foursome's ostensible amiability, on display as they pass parts of a dozen pre-World War I summers together in Germany, conceals the fissures in each marriage. John is miserably mismatched with the garrulous, cuckolding Florence; and Edward, dashing and sentimental, can't refrain from falling in love with women whose charms exceed Leonora's. Predictably, Edward and Florence conduct their affair, an indiscretion only John seems not to notice. After the deaths of the two lovers, and after Leonora explains much of the truth to John, he recounts the events of their four lives with an extended inflection of outrage. From his retrospective perch, his recollections simmer with a bitter skepticism even as he expresses amazement at how much he overlooked.
Dowell's resigned narration is flawlessly conversational--haphazard, sprawling, lusting for sympathy. He exudes self-preservation even as he alternately condemns and lionizes Edward: "If I had had the courage and the virility and possibly also the physique of Edward Ashburnham I should, I fancy, have done much what he did." Stunningly, Edward's adultery comes to seem not merely excusable, but almost sublime. "Perhaps he could not bear to see a woman and not give her the comfort of his physical attractions," John surmises. Ford's novel deserves its reputation if for no other reason than the elegance with which it divulges hidden lives. --Ben Guterson
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ00C7W4_ns
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 5AUZZZ000YZI_ns
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 1155447
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A brilliant and heart-rending evocation of destructive passion.A brilliant and heart-rending evocation of destructive passion.When John Dowell and his wife befriend Edward and Leonora Ashburnham they appear to be the perfect couple. He is a distinguished soldier and she is beautiful and intelligent. However, what lies beneath the surface of their marriage is far more sinister and their influence leads John into a tragic drama that threatens to destroy everything he cares about.WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ZOE HELLER A brilliant and heart-rending evocation of destructive passion.When John Dowell and his wife befriend Edward and Leonora Ashburnham they appear to be the perfect couple. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780099540670
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 7676905-n
Book Description Softcover. Condition: New. "One of the finest novels of our century." -Graham Greene The Good Soldier is a brilliant and heart-rending evocation of destructive passion. When John Dowell and his wife befriend Edward and Leonora Ashburnham they appear to be the perfect couple. He is a distinguished soldier and she is beautiful and intelligent. However, what lies beneath the surface of their marriage is far more sinister and their influence leads John into a tragic drama that threatens to destroy everything he cares about. Seller Inventory # DADAX0099540673
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780099540670
Book Description Condition: New. pp. 272. Seller Inventory # 26652255
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 0.44. Seller Inventory # 0099540673-2-1
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ZOE HELLERWhen John Dowell and his wife befriend Edward and Leonora Ashburnham they appear to be the perfect couple. However, what lies beneath the surface of their marriage is far more sinister and their influence leads John into a tragic drama that threatens to destroy everything he cares about. Seller Inventory # B9780099540670