Something to Be Desired (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Thomas McGuane
- First Published: 1984
- Type of Work: Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, Self-discovery, Parents and children, Love or romance, Murder or homicide, 1980’s, Alcoholism or alcoholics, Child abuse, Substance abuse, Westerns
- Locales: Montana
Something to Be Desired, McGuane's sixth novel, stands apart from his other novels in that the protagonist, Lucien Taylor, actually reaches a level of contentment and happiness—after abandoning his wife and young son. The “something to be desired,” though, turns out to be exactly what he gave up, a life of domestic contentment with his wife, Suzanne, and his young son, James. The discovery process is filled with debauchery and aimless behavior, accompanied by a gradual increase in common sense and maturity and a huge increase in personal wealth.
Lucien's inability...
[The entire page is 1131 words long]
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