"Carnal Knowledge", by T.C. Boyle

Book Review # 115773

Literature > American

A book review of "Carnal Knowledge" by T.C. Boyle

769 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the book "Carnal Knowledge", by T.C. Boyle in which he uses the main character's voice, to tell the story. The paper provides a good character description and explains how readers feel they are voyeurs of Jim's thoughts.

From the Paper:

"Jim doesn't seem to be such a complex character at first sight. He comes across as being a weak man, gullible and apathetic; we feel as if all Jim really cares about is romance (or his idea of what romance is: obsession); it seems to be on his mind all the time. Jim is so unaware of who he is, and so taken with Alena, that he pretends to be interested in animal rights just so that he can be close to her. Alena is so beautiful that Jim has a hard time thinking about anything else when she is around. One day, Alf, Alena's dog, urinates on Jim; he gets so angry, narrating, "a sudden rage seized me" (p.252), yet once Alena shows up, Jim's anger vanishes because she, and her beauty, leaves Jim feeling nothing but amorous feelings."

Sample of Sources Used:

Boyle, T.C. T.C. Boyle Stories. Penguin (non-classics): 1999.
Hawley, John C. An American Delight. America. 5/22/1999. Retrieved from the Web Site: http://www.tcboyle.com/page2.html?3 on November 5, 2008.
Reading Group Guides. Interview with T.C. Boyle. Retrieved from the Web Site: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides_T/tortilla_curtain2.asp on November 4, 2008.

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APA Citation:

"Carnal Knowledge", by T.C. Boyle (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Book-Review-Carnal-Knowledge-by-T-C-Boyle/115773