The Way of All Flesh

by Samuel Butler
List(s):"Carp 500"
"Racine Library List"
Category: "Fiction - General"
Pages:384
Year of Publication:1903
Date Read:12/12/1996
Notes:Beginning with the life of John Pontifex, a carpenter, the novel traces four generations of the Pontifex family, each of which perpetuates the frustration and unhappiness of its predecessor largely as a result of parental repression. Only Ernest, the great-grandson of John, is able to break the cycle. After being ordained a minister, serving a prison term because of a naïve misunderstanding, and unwittingly entering into a bigamous marriage with the family’s servant girl, Ernest providentially inherits enough money from an aunt to change his life and become a writer.

COMMENTS — Written posthumously. Just kidding. But it was published posthumously.
My Rating: 5

Reviews for The Way of All Flesh

Review - Way of All Flesh, The

A rather dull narrative with a few clever moments. It is basically an indictment of Victorian life, Christianity, family and morals. It can only be considered meaningful for those who are looking to abandon morality and Christianity.
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