A review by frazzle
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

5.0

I guess books like this are what the term 'modern classic' is for.

Big themes - social inequality, political philosophies, unrequited and secret loves - almost unbelievably big for a 23 year old to tackle, and tackle well.

Her reading of Dostoevsky and the other greats really tells. (Though I guess some of her political characterisation might unkindly be called a touch facile?)

She captures the profound disillusionment when the depths of each of our secret longings meet the cold realities of existence.

But most of all, just a bloody good story.

Not one I'd heard of before, but one that will stay with me for a while yet.