List Based On Books The Devil Tree
| Title | : | The Devil Tree |
| Author | : | Jerzy Kosiński |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 224 pages |
| Published | : | June 26th 2003 by Grove Press (first published January 1st 1973) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. European Literature. Polish Literature |
Jerzy Kosiński
Paperback | Pages: 224 pages Rating: 3.57 | 918 Users | 53 Reviews
Narration To Books The Devil Tree
A searing novel from a writer of international stature, The Devil Tree is a tale that combines the existential emptiness of Camus's The Stranger with the universe of international playboys, violence, and murder of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley. Jonathan Whalen's life has been determined from the start by the immense fortune of his father, a steel tycoon. Whalen's childlike delight in power and status mask a greater need, a desire to feel life intensely, through drugs, violence, sex, and attempts at meaningful connection with other people -- whether lovers or the memory of his dead parents. But the physical is all that feels real to him, and as he embarks on a journey to Africa with his godparents, Whalen's embrace of amoral thrill accelerates toward ultimate fulfillment. Now in a Grove Press paperback, Kosinski's classic, acclaimed as "an impressive novel ... it should confirm Jerzy Kosinki's position as one of our most significant writers" -- Newsweek "Savage ... [Whalen is] a foolproof, timeless American character." -- Mary Ellin Barrett, CosmopolitanPoint Books Toward The Devil Tree
| Original Title: | The Devil Tree |
| ISBN: | 0802139655 (ISBN13: 9780802139658) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Rating Based On Books The Devil Tree
Ratings: 3.57 From 918 Users | 53 ReviewsPiece Based On Books The Devil Tree
Money can't buy happiness, is an old trite saying. Some believe it and some dont.The Devil Tree by Jerzy Kosiński is a rather biased and speculative contemplation on the theme of riches.Nowadays I see Jerzy Kosiński as a kind of timeserver and his novels are like the old yellowed amateurish photographs they are curious but do not touch. The recent Dictionary of Occupational Titles lists over twenty thousand specialized professions in America; being a millionaire is not one of them.Our cultureAn old book and still a mind bending adventure. Jerzy Kozinski is one those unique writers that after you've read him lingers forever in your conciousness. And as a writer I appreciate reading someone that has so obviously labored over every word he puts down. The effect is mesmorizing.
Gawd, this was depressing. Not that I have a problem with depressing books, either: in this case, the prose was plodding and fantastical, leaving one with the feeling that in order to like the book, you must see the protagonist as some kind of darkly romantic badass. If you are unable to do so, you're screwed, buddy!Note: I felt much the same way about (the movie of) Requiem For A Dream. In both cases, the mean opinion (get it, get it?) seems to be much higher than mine.
So this is insanity. How interesting. What happens next? Jerzy Kosiński, The Devil TreeJerzy Kosinski's novel The Devil Tree takes place in 1970s America, a world of the Me generation, where an entire population had easy access to multiple partner sex, powerful mind-bending and sense-enhancing drugs and a plethora of self-help books ranging from jogging, diet, and speed-reading to primal screams, transactional analysis and do-it-yourself psychodrama. Being an adult and holding a philosophy of
I really liked this book - it's hard, though, to say I enjoyed it. A scathing indictment of materialism, The Devil Tree explores the hollowness of wealth. I'll never forget the ending.
Almost gave this a 5. But not quite. This book hooked me. Perhaps because I was in college in the 70's I related to what Kosinski was writing about. These were the biggest issues of the time - and he covers them all. I will say that I am glad the book was fairly short - and that he writes quickly. But I do like his writing. It is refreshing - not prosey and not trite and not a cheap thrill. Kind of perfect in a way. However, not for the faint of heart. Very interesting and raw- sexually explicit
Really good. Like a 70s version of Bret Easton Ellis, but more acute and human. Doesn't hit quite like Steps (which I'll reread soon) does, but is similarly creepy and gets-under-your-skin-y.
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