56 pages • 1 hour read
The Floating Opera
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Book Brief
240
Novel • Fiction
Maryland • 1930s
1956
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Published in 1956, John Barth’s first novel, The Floating Opera, follows Todd Andrews, a lawyer in his 50s recounting a day in June 1937 when he planned to commit suicide. Utilizing nonlinear storytelling, Todd shares his life, his affair with Jane Mack, his reflections on law and war, and his evolving views on the meaning of life, ultimately finding a new lease on life despite his cynicism. Sensitive topics include discussions of suicide.
Contemplative
Dark
Humorous
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
2,913 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Floating Opera by John Barth receives praise for its black humor, philosophical depth, and innovative narrative style, compelling readers with its exploration of existential themes. Criticisms include its sometimes dense prose and the protagonist’s detachment, which may alienate some readers. Overall, it is appreciated for its wit and intellectual challenge.
Who Should Read The Floating Opera?
Readers who appreciate dark humor, existential themes, and complex narrative structures will enjoy John Barth’s The Floating Opera. Similar to the audience for Albert Camus’s The Stranger and Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, they seek intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking literature with philosophical depth.
2,913 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Harrison Mack
Harrison Mack
Todd's best friend, Harrison is a handsome and fit individual from a rich family, whose initial Marxist beliefs contrast with Todd's skepticism, and who eventually undergoes a transformation in his worldview.
Jane Mack
Jane Mack
Harrison's wife and Todd's primary romantic interest, Jane is an open-minded and beautiful woman who explores and challenges marital and social norms, impacting the dynamics of Todd's relationships.
Captain Osborn and Mister Haecker
Captain Osborn and Mister Haecker
Two elderly men living at the Dorset Hotel with Todd; Capt. Osborn is a retired oyster dredger with arthritis, while Mister Haecker is a former principal. Their differing perspectives on aging and death enrich the story's setting and themes.
240
Novel • Fiction
Maryland • 1930s
1956
Adult
18+ years
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