The Floating Opera

Published in 1956, The Floating Opera is a literary novel by John Barth. Barth’s first novel, The Floating Opera focuses on Todd Andrews as he makes plans to commit suicide in the late 1930s, utilizing first-person nonlinear storytelling and humor to meditate on life and death. Following its publication, the novel was nominated for the National Book Award. Barth has published numerous novels since, becoming a seminal figure in postmodern American literature. 

Plot Summary

Todd Andrews narrates the story, regularly acknowledging that he is writing a book. Prone to go off on tangents, he promises to do his best to keep the story on track. In his 50s now, Todd wants to write about a day in June in 1937, when he was in his 30s. He gives the reader key information about himself before he lets the plot unfold. He is a lawyer in Cambridge, Maryland, the same town he has lived in most of his life. He has several chronic illnesses—a weak heart and an infected prostate. He also explains the novel’s title. The Floating Opera is a showboat he visited in 1937. The ship sails up and down the river, the theatrics taking place falling in and out of view to those on land.