I have always thought that there are certain authors (yourself included) that are so respected that all decent bookshops will carry their books, even minor works. If I am not wrong on this theory, then I was certainly wrong in thinking that Aldous Huxley would be considered one of these authors. If finding a copy of 'The Aerodrome' was tricky, getting hold of 'After Many A Swan' was a truly stressful ordeal. I think I have actually ruined my only enjoyable shopping experience, going into second hand bookshops, by replacing the joy of browsing and discovering books that one had forgotten/didn't know you wanted to read, and replaced this with crushing disappointment at the places not having 1 specific novel.
After going through at least 6 different second hand shops to no avail (one even had a whole Huxley collection of books, but not this one) and reluctantly turning to ordering the book on the internet, my wife visited the Oxfam in Blackheath and found a copy for 99 pence. I would never try to persuade anyone of the benefits of marriage, but I will say that I would never have dared to pursue as nerdy a project as this before being married and I doubt my poor wife would ever have actually helped me to pursue it had she not made an oath.
Anyways, Mr. Burgess, this is not your problem. The book itself was enjoyable and I appreciate you recommending it. As you know, it essentially revolves around a British academic moving to California to look at a rare collection of books owned by extraordinarily wealthy elderly millionaire Jo Stoyte, who has an eclectic variety of staff including two scientists who are attempting to find ways to keep him young.
I had read 'Brave New World' and can understand why it is Huxley's more popular novel, combining explicit social commentary with a gripping narrative. 'After Many A Swan' is a little less of the gripping narrative (though there's an interesting dynamic between some of the characters) and much more of the social commentary. About old age, death, science, capitalism, America- written about in page long paragraphs. Luckily, Huxley writes intelligently and passionately about these topics to keep reader interest, and the themes feel very topical in today's society. In that slightly depressing manner.
Having said that, while I assume I'm not alone in often visualising film versions of books while reading them, often thinking of how great they would work as films- this is one of the first fiction books that I just gave up that thought. It would be a brutally boring film. So, so boring. Though clearly the dude below disagreed:
It's a little creepy, isn't it, Mr. Burgess? If anything, the still image promoting it is slightly perverted, especially as it really is not something visualised within the book. Anyways, there's a director's cut of this animated feature somewhere else on Youtube, so knock yourself out.
In summary, I deem it BETTER than The Aerodrome. See how exciting this chart idea is Mr. Burgess, as opposed to your boring chronological ordering? Right?
Regards.
Your faithful reader
