We Think the World of You (New York Review Books Classics) - Softcover

Ackerley, J.R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0940322269 ISBN 13: 9780940322264

Publisher: NYRB Classics, 2000

Synopsis

This powerful short novel, with its extraordinary mixture of acute social realism and dark fantasy, was described by J. R. Ackerley himself as "a fairy tale for adults." Frank, the narrator, is a middle-aged civil servant, intelligent, acerbic, self-righteous, angry. He is in love with Johnny, a young, married, working-class man with a sweetly easy-going nature. When Johnny is sent to prison for committing a petty theft, Frank gets caught up in a struggle with Johnny's wife and parents for access to him. Their struggle finds a strange focus in Johnny's dog—a beautiful but neglected German shepherd named Evie. And it is she, in the end, who becomes the improbable and undeniable guardian of Frank's inner world.

About this title

About the Author

J.R Ackerley (1896-1967) was for many years the literary editor of the BBC magazine The Listener. His works include three memoirs, Hindoo Holiday, My Dog Tulip, and My Father and Myself, and a novel, We Think the World of You.

Reviews

This 1960 novel is Ackerly's only foray into the world of fiction. It tells the rather unusual story of a middle-aged civil servant who volunteers to look after a friend's dog while the man is serving a year-long prison sentence. Initially uncomfortable with the animal, he learns to love the dog and is loath to part with him as his friend's parole approaches. The twist is that the two men actually are lovers whose reunion is quite physical. This will appeal to both fans of animal stories and gay fiction.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: NYRB Classics
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0940322269
• ISBN 13: 9780940322264
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 205