Book Review
The Way of All Flesh (1903)
by Samuel Butler
Replaces: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Samuel Butler wasn't a stranger to the original edition of the 1001 Books, Erewhon, his anonymously published utopian fantasia from 1872 was in the first edition, but the editors added The Way of All Flesh, his posthumously published, semi-autobiographical bildungsroman to the first revised 2008 edition. In addition to making the revised 1001 Books list, The Way of All Flesh was also one of Modern Library's 100 Top Novels of the 20th century, a list which includes dozens of American books that were excluded from all editions of the UK edited 1001 Books list.
And while The Way of All Flesh isn't exactly a fun read, after the first fifty pages or so it at least settles into something interesting, reminiscent of George Orwell's early books about being poor and educated. The publication date is misleading, Butler's writing style is closer to Trollope than any writer from the 20th century, but Butler at least maintains the advantage of writing honestly about sex and other aspects of human nature that are often absent from 19th century literature, particularly that written by the English.
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