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Title: The Octopus: A Story of California (Twentieth Century Classics) by Frank Norris, Kevin Starr ISBN: 0-14-018770-7 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: August, 1994 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.78 (23 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: A Novel Rich with Loamy Irony
Comment: Certainly a novel with a capital "N", from a time when authors wrote grand, sweeping, "epics of the soil and those who work the soil". Norris was inspired by the work of French novelist Zola, which is funny because some of his harshest writing takes to task San Francisco society matrons attempting to appreciate French style landscape art.
I read this book after reading Kevin Starr's "Californians and the American Dream". While this novel does culminate in a retelling of the infamous "Mussel Slough" shoot out, where a group of "squatting" ranchers shot it out with representatives of the U.S. government and the Marshalls, it is most notable for its classic descriptions of California ranch life circa 1880.
The character's at the center of the Octopus are broad: Vanamee, the "Hebraic" looking sheep herder/mystic who yearns for the sweet embrace of his departed lover; Presley, the would-be poet who gets wrapped up in the affairs of the world, only to turn away from the world in the end; Annixter, the rough-hewn young rancher who is transformed by the love of a woman.
The Octopus is also notable for the supporting cast of minor characters. They reveal as much about life in California in the 1800's as do the major characters.
Still relevant for its historical value, but let's face it... the prose is dated. Also, I agree with other reviewers in that this book is too long by about a hundred pages. Probably a must read for people who are serious about the history of California.
Rating: 5
Summary: Makes me want to learn more about "Old" California
Comment: Today when we think of California we think of what else but Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many people forget that California has a rich history based in agriculure and mining. The Octopus tells a story about California's past and the epic struggle between the Wheat farmers and the all powerful railroads. The characters are dynamic and Norris has written the story so brilliantly that you actually feel for the characters. If you read this book you also must read "The Pit" also by Norris which tells the tale of the Chicago Commodities market and one mans overpowering desire to "corner" the wheat market.
Rating: 3
Summary: Worthwhile, if you stick with it
Comment: Norris flounders around for two thirds of "The Octopus" until he begins telling the story. We don't know who these characters are until we're well into the novel and their lack of first names makes them hard to keep straight initially. Who is the novel's protagonist? Presley? Annixter? Magnus Derrick? I would have liked a little more character development. Presley IS Frank Norris, but we don't see him as anything more than a dilletante until nearly the novel's conclusion. We really don't know why Lyman Derrick sells out his father, or how the "league" bribes his way onto the Railroad Commission. Vanamee's obsession over his dead girlfriend adds nothing to the story. (What the heck are "heavy lidded eyes" anyway?) I expected "The Octopus" to be proto-Steinbeck. It is a story Frank Norris had to tell, but it seems he was writing to satisfy the conventionalities of his time. The conclusion that good prevails after what these people have endured may have rung true 100 years ago. Now it seems contrived. "The Octopus" is worthwhile if the reader can stick with it; infinitely superior to Zane Gray's "Desert of Wheat", which isn't saying a whole lot.
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Title: The Pit: A Story of Chicago (Twentieth Century Classics) by Frank Norris, Joseph R McElrath, Gwendolyn Jones, Joseph A. McElrath ISBN: 0140187588 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: August, 1994 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: McTeague: A Story of San Francisco by Frank Norris, Eric Solomon ISBN: 0451528913 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 05 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
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Title: The Best Short Stories of Frank Norris by Frank Norris ISBN: 0965530914 Publisher: Ironweed Press, inc. List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Where I Was From by JOAN DIDION ISBN: 0679433325 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 23 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.00 |
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Title: Inventing the Dream: California Through the Progressive Era by Kevin Starr ISBN: 0195042344 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: December, 1986 List Price(USD): $21.50 |
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