William Maxwell

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I am looking for any information I can get about william maxwell's novella, 'So Long See You Tomorrow'. Critiacal material, reviews, anything.

>>By annie   (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 19:25)



Nice story... I can see how it would be quite deep, and could really touch someone. None of this happened for me. I don't feel that I gained anything from reading this. In fact, it seems that Maxwell is trying to apologize for something he should have come to terms with years ago. It seems like he's hoping that Cletus will, on an off chance, read the book and understand an inward struggle, while the rest of us are merely listening to him vent, recollect, and remember things about his childhood. Maxwell is a skilled writer, this book just didn't do anything for me.

>>By Jhovani   (Monday, 14 Apr 2003 07:37)



So Long, See You Tomorrow is possibly the most powerful book that I have read. I would argue that, first, the book is fiction. Jhovani assumes that Maxwell is the protagonist, which is not the case. What elevates this book in my consideration, is its mordant honesty. Jhovani is right: the protagonist has not come to terms with the fate of Cletus or the death of his mother. What is more powerful than admitting that one has not come to terms with something, and being so burdened by it, that one is moved to write the whole thing out, not just the personal experience either, but also an attempt to experience someone else's (Cletus') tragedy? What's most important for a reader like Jhovani to keep in mind, is that the protagonist is not doing all of this 'on the off chance' that Cletus will read it. He's remembering in such a fashion for himself, to sort through the events, reconcile his emotions and forgive himself. In the end, to which Jhovani hints, the protagonist admits the most pathetic part: he has failed. But such, exactly, is the extent to which memory can redeem us.

>>By Austin   (Monday, 28 Jul 2003 17:28)



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