Since this book, A Buyer's Market, is the second book in a cycle of twelve entitled A Dance to the Music of Time, I won't comment too extensively. I have been told that the full effect of these books is not fully felt until they all have been read, and I will withhold a final summation until that distant day arrives. I have been unofficially reading through several "best of" book lists for the past few years. It's 'unofficial' because I hate making declarations, especially publically, that I don't actually fulfill. I have no timeline, and I won't be sad if I don't complete it. These twelve books find themselves placed at number forty-three on the Modern Library's list of the 100 Best novels of the 20th century. I don't believe that the editors of this list have actually read all 100 books, and I want to read them so that I can say they are bogus with some semblance of authority. Or at least more authority than I believe that they have. (My further thoughts regarding reading and lists can be found here.) However, the thing that struck me while reading this novel is how similar the books and authors on these lists really are. There are so very few that are truly unique, and unfortunately the authors and print industry all scratch each others backs so they are caught in a pattern of self-affirmation. Why are so many books like this about authors and artists struggling to make it? Even those I regard as fantastic do it.
I recently read Of Human Bondage, a book by Somerset Maugham which I hope to review soon, that was written before these series of books was begun. Of Human Bondage takes place at approximately the same time period as the first two books of this series. They are both about a young male struggling to find his identity in life. They both begin with both boys in English public school. The protagonist of each travels to Europe to study language by living in a boarding house. Both characters are involved in art to some degree. Both characters spend time in Paris. Both are hopelessly and ineffectually in love with some girl who doesn't measure up. Both books even include the word "perspicacity," a word which I have encountered in no other printed source outside of a dictionary.
I don't know anyone who has read these books, and I am doubtful that someone who is just interested in reading for pleasure will have the desire to complete the series. At least the first two books don't offer a lot of incentive for finishing. The story just has too much dialogue and too little intrigue.