The Good Soldier
The Good Soldier
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1915
Book Brief
146
Novel • Fiction
England • Early 1900s
1915
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Taking place just before World War I, Ford Madox Ford’s 1915 novel The Good Soldier narrates the intertwined lives of two couples, John and Florence Dowell, and Edward and Leonora Ashburnham, through the unreliable perspective of John Dowell. The story explores the complexity of their relationships, marked by adultery, betrayal, and moral dilemmas, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes. Instances of mental health crises and self-harm are depicted.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Dark
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
29,218 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ford Madox Ford's The Good Soldier is lauded for its innovative narrative style and intricate examination of human relationships. Critics commend the novel's unreliable narrator and its exploration of deception and tragedy. However, some find its non-chronological structure challenging and its pace slow. Overall, it is considered a complex, rewarding read.
Who Should Read The Good Soldier?
A reader who enjoys psychological depth, unreliable narrators, and intricate character studies will appreciate The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford. Fans of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby will find its exploration of morality and human relationships compelling.
29,218 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
146
Novel • Fiction
England • Early 1900s
1915
Adult
18+ years
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