Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Mandarin / Octopus (1992), Edition: reprint, Paperback, 367 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: An "outrageously hilarious" novel about a young man who has trouble with the truth (The Boston Globe). Adrian Healey loves to lie. He does it all the time. Every minute, every moment. And worse, he does it wonderfully, imaginatively, brilliantly. He lies to buck the system, to express his contempt for convention, but mostly because he just plain likes to. It's fun. He invents a lost pornographic novel by Charles Dickens, and, for himself, a career as a Piccadilly rent boy, hireable by the hour. But Adrian's lies eventually bring true danger, as he finds himself caught up in the machinations of a shadowy network that puts his own life at risk, in this "clever and entertaining novel that will appeal to Anglophiles with a twisted sense of humor" (Library Journal)..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member isabelx
This is a very twisted story - make sure you are paying attention or you will have no idea what is going on. I loved it!
LibraryThing member TheCriticalTimes
Perhaps Stephen Fry, who wrote this novel 'The Liar', has unknowingly added a new literary genre that could be called wishful autobiography. Knowing a little bit about the author's background creates a very different experience with this book than if taken just at face value. We have here a novel
We can clearly hear Wilde's language and ideas combined with the events Evelyn Waugh might have conjured. At the same time Stephen Fry takes the piss out of the entire genre as well. He clearly shows the self absorbed narrow world of English private academia. However, this isn't just a pastiche novel, it isn't a copy or weak derivative. Through the familiar Victorian and Edwardian language we can clearly here Fry's own voice and one as clever as you might expect. In some parts and phrases we can even hear Chuck Palahniuk's voice.
It is rather strange however to see the means by which Fry evangelizes the gay persuasion. I don't mean that he tries to persuade anyone in converting but there is a definite sense of trying to normalize queerness (his word not mine). The way in which this is done in my view anyway is rather counterproductive. Instead of showing the elegance, the refined nature of most gay men, Fry shows and describes all those things we think they're up to in great detail. After having read Portnoy's Complaint it did not bother me too much but then again I can see how the novel can turn people away.
There is another interesting link to Portnoy's Complaint. Philip Roth who wrote Portnoy has always denied his book was autobiographical. Unlike Fry who I believe clearly admitted in various interviews that the materials for The Liar were snatched from his own experiences in the English public school system and other parts of his early life. Comparing Portnoy to the Liar becomes even more interesting when we look at how the protagonists in either novel address us, the reader. Whereas in Portnoy the author essentially screams at the reader about his problems, Fry hides behind his protagonist. A protagonist who we are told from the very first sentence will lie to us. The protagonist is arrested for possession of cocaine, but as we find out later that was all a lie. In reality Fry was arrested for possession of cocaine and sent to prison. Bits of knowledge like these add a completely new layer to the novel and a rather interesting one because we now have a novel in which we can ask: what exactly is an unreliable narrator when the narrator speaks of both the protagonist and the author?
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describing the exploits and dandy adventures of a young English Oscar Wilde-incarnated prep school boy. Adrian, a persuasive and very intelligent student can not tell the truth, not even under great duress or pressure. This talent or perhaps handicap creates an assortment of entertaining situations in the school he attends and gets him into of course a lot of trouble, although not as much as you might expect. Then again he is a skillful liar and we're told the entire book is a lie. The Liar takes place in an environment most of us can't quite relate to. The halls of the privileged public schools of England have their own jargon, history and common understanding. It takes quite a bit of that knowledge to understand certain passages of the novel even though Fry takes care to explain. Throughout the work this internal language generates a distance where as a reader you get the sensation that you're always just missing the point. For example, you have to be quite well read to get some of the finer points of the interaction between Adrian and his chums. Frequently names of characters in Roman literature are used as stereotypes, which, works well, if you've read works like the Satyricon for example.We can clearly hear Wilde's language and ideas combined with the events Evelyn Waugh might have conjured. At the same time Stephen Fry takes the piss out of the entire genre as well. He clearly shows the self absorbed narrow world of English private academia. However, this isn't just a pastiche novel, it isn't a copy or weak derivative. Through the familiar Victorian and Edwardian language we can clearly here Fry's own voice and one as clever as you might expect. In some parts and phrases we can even hear Chuck Palahniuk's voice.
It is rather strange however to see the means by which Fry evangelizes the gay persuasion. I don't mean that he tries to persuade anyone in converting but there is a definite sense of trying to normalize queerness (his word not mine). The way in which this is done in my view anyway is rather counterproductive. Instead of showing the elegance, the refined nature of most gay men, Fry shows and describes all those things we think they're up to in great detail. After having read Portnoy's Complaint it did not bother me too much but then again I can see how the novel can turn people away.
There is another interesting link to Portnoy's Complaint. Philip Roth who wrote Portnoy has always denied his book was autobiographical. Unlike Fry who I believe clearly admitted in various interviews that the materials for The Liar were snatched from his own experiences in the English public school system and other parts of his early life. Comparing Portnoy to the Liar becomes even more interesting when we look at how the protagonists in either novel address us, the reader. Whereas in Portnoy the author essentially screams at the reader about his problems, Fry hides behind his protagonist. A protagonist who we are told from the very first sentence will lie to us. The protagonist is arrested for possession of cocaine, but as we find out later that was all a lie. In reality Fry was arrested for possession of cocaine and sent to prison. Bits of knowledge like these add a completely new layer to the novel and a rather interesting one because we now have a novel in which we can ask: what exactly is an unreliable narrator when the narrator speaks of both the protagonist and the author?
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LibraryThing member Anome
A brilliant debut novel, redolent with the wit and linguistic skill the author is known for.
Traces the life of a compulsive liar through public school to Cambridge University, where he finally meets his match.
Traces the life of a compulsive liar through public school to Cambridge University, where he finally meets his match.
LibraryThing member mikestocks
Talented writer, but gets drunk on three long words when one short one would be better
LibraryThing member Ratbat
Since I first read it, this has been my favourite novel - ever. I couldn't say exactly why, though I've always loved Stephen Fry, and this seems to distill some of his best efforts into one book.
LibraryThing member miketroll
Fry's debut novel. One of those books I enjoyed enormously for its wit and humour but since remember nothing whatsoever about. Suppose I'll have to read it again before release.
LibraryThing member Falstaff1
This is simply the most enjoyable book I have ever read. Fry writes in the most comic way and I am torn between being amused by his wit and stunned by his consummate command of the English language. His evocation of the atmosphere of English public schools is spot on. I defy anyone not to enjoy
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this. Show Less
LibraryThing member GiacomoL
Funny, entertaining and erudite, this is quintessential Fry. I love the guy, and it would be nice if he could write a bit more rather than spending all his time on telly.
LibraryThing member Tafadhali
Of course this was witty and knee-slappingly funny and terribly pink and all the marvelous things that one would expect from the inimitable Stephen Fry, but ... well, I found something terribly affecting and sad about it as well, and went through much of it with a clenched heart. I have this
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problem with comedy writing sometimes of perhaps not being disaffected enough. Still, I loved the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lukeorafferty
A baffling & bewildering tale: This is the second of Stephen Fry's novels that i have read. The enormous
enjoyment i felt upon completing "The Stars Tennis Balls" is mirrored only in the colossal dissapointment i felt in this work.
The story jumped about, was confusing, appeared to make no logical
Although a huge fan of the man himself, i would reccomend his other books over this one.
enjoyment i felt upon completing "The Stars Tennis Balls" is mirrored only in the colossal dissapointment i felt in this work.
The story jumped about, was confusing, appeared to make no logical
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sence whatsoever and upon completeing my only thought was "Huh, what was the point of this book." Nothing really seems to happen and Stephen's word choise and sentence structure can be a little intimadating. Although a huge fan of the man himself, i would reccomend his other books over this one.
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LibraryThing member kfellows
This book is fantastic. It's everything one'd expect in a book from Stephen Fry, so I rightly enjoyed it. Fry's writing is really nothing like anything else you'll ever come across, and "The Liar" is certainly one of my favorite recent novels.
LibraryThing member WinterFox
I often don't care much for books that are straight-up comedies. Generally, I don't find them as funny as books that have other, more serious stories, but are leavened with comedy along the way. Maybe it's just that generally, the quality of writing in comedies isn't really all that good, and so
I feel pretty mixed about this book, then. It was well written stylistically, certainly. The book flowed nicely, there were some very good scenes, and the references were quite nice, as well. Still, the plot overall was forced in places, hard to follow, and didn't gel well, and the characterization beyond the main character wasn't great. It made me laugh a couple of times, which is actually not that bad, but the rest of it wasn't great.
I can't say that I really recommend this, but if you're inclined to comedies, you could certainly do worse. I'll probably not be leaping on to reading the rest of his books, though.
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all that's left is the laughs. Generally, though, you don't get that many laughs out of the book, and so you just feel disappointed.I feel pretty mixed about this book, then. It was well written stylistically, certainly. The book flowed nicely, there were some very good scenes, and the references were quite nice, as well. Still, the plot overall was forced in places, hard to follow, and didn't gel well, and the characterization beyond the main character wasn't great. It made me laugh a couple of times, which is actually not that bad, but the rest of it wasn't great.
I can't say that I really recommend this, but if you're inclined to comedies, you could certainly do worse. I'll probably not be leaping on to reading the rest of his books, though.
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LibraryThing member klai
Entertaining fictionalised account of Fry's early life and then some. Moab Is My Washpot meets le Carré. Very readable, and quite funny.
LibraryThing member ofstoneandice
I was a bit disappointed. With all the wandering about we do, the characters and their side stories feel more substantial than the plot. So yes, very clever, but I was hardly invested enough to make it a real jaw-dropper. Still, a pleasant enough read that is sure to warrant more than one chuckle.
LibraryThing member AlexTheHunn
What a delightful book. It's great fun to be led along by Mr. Fry on this tale that takes us accross Europe with some mystery, uncertain identity, and a heap of espionage. It's guaranteed to keep you guessing. Along the way, there is plenty of sex and humor to keep things fun.
LibraryThing member echomikeromeo
Well, yes, only the best book ever! I don't think anyone else could ever come close to approximating Stephen Fry's style. It's so distinctively funny and makes you feel intelligent while reading it. He slips in a reference to literature or history and you feel very elite, as if only you and maybe a
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few select other people know what he's talking about. For a hopeless Anglophile like me, The Liar is the sort of book that I almost wish I lived in (though perhaps, in this case, it's better just to read about it). This world of Oxbridge and English society that's of course not real at all but does a very good job of pretending - practically a modern version of Wodehouse, except maybe a little less benign and more sinister. Anyway, highly recommended, etc. etc. Show Less
LibraryThing member TerryFallis
Loved it. So intelligent yet so funny.
LibraryThing member Miro
Glib, cute and nasty.
LibraryThing member LARA335
Enjoyed the wit, language, and colourful windows into public school and Cambridge. Heard Fry's voice throughout.
LibraryThing member fist
If I hadn't read "Moab is my Washpot" before reading "The Liar", I would probably have enjoyed it more. As it is, this book now seemed to be an odd mix of two separate books: an addition to Fry's school years autobiography, and a camp espionage caper. Not unlike Oscar Wilde, the author sprinkles
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bon mots throughout the text. The recondite vocabulary is sometimes exhilarating, sometimes tiring, typical for the "Look mama, no hands.." mentality of a new author keen to prove his virtuosity. On the whole, a bit unbalanced (the espionage story is pretty weak), but with beautiful descriptions of the sufferings of young Stephen. Show Less
LibraryThing member bsquaredinoz
I didn't like this book. In fact I didn't finish it. I couldn't find the story. I never cared for a single character. I couldn't be bothered with the spy-laden interludes to the main story. However, because I adore Stephen Fry, I'm willing to accept this my failure as a reader rather than Fry's as
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an author. Show Less
LibraryThing member polarbear123
Re read this one recently. I remember reading it in the 90s and enjoying it - I wasn't much of a reader back then to be honest with you. Really enjoyed it this tie too. Flows well and the odd spy sections are full of weirdness to keep you wondering how it will all end. Lots of Stephen fry and his
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personal life in here too. Great use of language and having been a public school boy myself I can sympathise and empathise with some of the school sections. Glad to see that fry likes the film 'if'. Show Less
LibraryThing member SpikeSix
Brilliant, wordy, sometimes disgusting, a very good read.
LibraryThing member JBD1
Witty, often amusing, sometimes a bit much ... this novel is Stephen Fry between two covers. Believe nothing and no one, at least not for very long.
LibraryThing member aront
I agree with most reviews: Love Fry and that's the only reason this book is worth reading.
I gave it 3 then switched it 2 because
1. Fry is showing off too much - the multiple languages, the obscure academic references, and so on were more than a bit too much. I mean this is QI on steroids
2. If you
3. The unbelievable personal life story is more believable than the spy bits - only because I read Fry's autobiography first. But even so, it's like he took his own life story and jacked it up to 11 on the scale of 10.
3a. The spy bits were just hilariously awful
4. None of the characters are all that interesting
5. No real emotion or insight
When it comes down to it, of all his many talents, writing is not Fry's best. His autobiographies suffer some of the same failings as this novel. Still love him though.
I gave it 3 then switched it 2 because
1. Fry is showing off too much - the multiple languages, the obscure academic references, and so on were more than a bit too much. I mean this is QI on steroids
2. If you
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never went to British public school huge parts of the story are boring & incomprehensible - sorry don't have a clue about cricket3. The unbelievable personal life story is more believable than the spy bits - only because I read Fry's autobiography first. But even so, it's like he took his own life story and jacked it up to 11 on the scale of 10.
3a. The spy bits were just hilariously awful
4. None of the characters are all that interesting
5. No real emotion or insight
When it comes down to it, of all his many talents, writing is not Fry's best. His autobiographies suffer some of the same failings as this novel. Still love him though.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1991
Physical description
367 p.; 6.61 inches
ISBN
0749305401 / 9780749305406