Product Description

This novel is largely autobiographical, detailing the familial strife which characterized Butler's life and often figures in his work. Ernest, the novel's hero, has an unhappy schooling and little success in romance; his sadness is exacerbated by his father, Theobald Pontifex, a bullying clergyman. An unfortunate marriage makes a happy adult life appear impossible, until Ernest begins to seek fulfillment in literature, finding meaning in the life of a writer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1122260 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-16
• Released on: 2000-11-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 535 pages

Customer Reviews

The Definitive Book About Dysfunctional Families
It has been frequently observed that those who write history define it, and so it is with this wonderful novel which is, in large part, Butler's autobiography. Reviewers speak of it as having blown the lid off Victorian society; in fact, it is timeless, ruthlessly dissecting the behavior of several generations of an abusive family where the only rule is "Every man for himself." Those who grew up in that kind of family will find it truthful and insightful, those who grew up in happy families will be perplexed.

As some of the other reviews indicate, this is a book that is likely to offend conventional, especially fundamentalist, Christians. Butler's father was an ordained Anglican priest and he himself came close to being one (opting instead to run a sheep station in New Zealand for five years, an experience upon which he based "Erewhon"). Butler excoriates the hypocrisy and cant of that profession while questioning the Church's key doctrines.

If you can, purchase an edition with Theodore Dreiser's introduction.

Make no mistake, this is a great book. It is, with good reason, #12 on the Modern Library's list of the 100 Best Novels.