The Way Of All Flesh Book

Why is this novel not a better known classic? Granted it is slow and not much happens in terms of an excitable story. And the characters are not exactly endearing. It is altogether very ordinary. But this is the genius in it. I am sure this is why he is not up there on the lists with Hardy, Dickens, Austen or Eliot.

Butler does not over embellish his plot, nor create exuberant colourful characters. He is interested in exposing and probing into every day Victorian society. He is unapologetic in his characterisation and his critique of some big ticket (and very touchy subjects for the time) - notably the elitism and hypocrisy of both the church and the higher education system.

Oh, and the institution of marriage. He shows that none of these 'expected' things secure the way to a happier or more prosperous life - indeed, they most often send our protagonist backward, or falling on his face, and cause more misery than success or happiness.

Much of Butler's purpose is instinctive, rather than relying on or espousing empirical knowledge or theoretical concepts…."we must judge men not so much by what they do, as by what they make us feel that they have it in them to do." Consequently, his parody of Oxford learning and clerical processes is both comical, accurate but also so incredibly ahead of its time - no wonder he was 'knocked on the head' as an author - he was dealing quite roughly with very very touchy, no-go subjects! 'There are two classes of people in this world, those who sin, and those who are sinned against; if a man must belong to either, he had better belong to the first than to the second.' Ha, I rest my case.

I really enjoyed the comic tone of Butler's writing - his language is exquisite, and sometimes the comedy is quite latent, which makes it all the more enjoyable. 'No boy can resist being fed well by a good-natured and still handsome woman. Boys are very like nice dogs in this respect ' give them a bone and they will like you at once…' and 'Truth might be heroic, but it was not within the range of practical domestic politics.'

It is very much a book about resilience and the value of making mistakes, sometimes more than once, in order to learn and gain strength of character. ' Adversity, if a man is set down to it by degrees, is more supportable with equanimity by most people than any great prosperity arrived at in a single lifetime.' And our often exasperating protagonist, Ernest, certainly has his fair share of hardships - many of which he brings on himself I may add! And he falls in his own traps more than once, mistakes are made again and again until eventually he 'grows up' and takes stock of his decision making and harnessing his own happiness.

It is also about the importance of optimism in the face of adversity - for 'he who does not consider himself fortunate is unfortunate…' I feel like this passage sums up Butler's message perfectly, and how true he speaks - 'Being in this world is it not our most obvious business to make the most of it ' to observe what things do bona fide tend to long life and comfort, and to act accordingly? All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it ' and they do enjoy it as much as man and other circumstances will allow…'