Eyeless In Gaza [Paperback]

One drawback to "Eyeless", and perhaps Huxley in general, is that his writing style is somewhat dry and cerebral. His characters, like D.H. Lawrence's (a friend of his), often come across as representations of ideals, or "symbols" rather than full-fledged, multi-dimensional characters, and the exterior scenery sometimes suffers. One notable exception is Helen Amberley, who is one of the more complex, and interesting characters in the novel. As for the scenery, the most vivid scenes are not the physical atmosphere, but each character's experience of an event. Examples include both Anthony and John Beavis' individual responses to Mrs. Amberley's death; Anthony and Brian playing with a toy boat on the school dormitory rooftop; or Helen flicking away a butterfly at Anthony's villa. Huxley's descriptive style and focus is simply more erudite than it is sentimental or emotional. Admittedly, there's a fine balance in such a highly condensed intellectual novel as this, and for the most part, I think Huxley manages to pull it off without being didactic or cold (readers who don't make it past the first 3-5 chapters probably won't go for it though).

Details aside, once you grow accustomed to Huxley's style and structure, Anthony Beavis' story is rewarding. After the death of his mother in 1902, his life is shattered. He avoids World War I due to a training accident/injury, and feels lucky. The central aspect of the novel is Anthony's increasing diffidence towards life. His meeting with Mary Amberley in 1912 (ala Mrs. Robinson/"The Graduate") really throws a monkey wrench into his life, and adds fuel to the general lovelessness and cynicism displayed in the summer 1933 chapters. It is she who convinces Anthony to tragically betray his best friend, Brian Foxe in 1914. Eventually, in the fall of 1933, his Marxist leaning friend Mark Staithes convinces him to "break free" of his negativity and attend a revolution with him in Mexico. There, Anthony has a chance encounter with an eccentric traveller named Miller, whose Buddhist centered philosophy changes Anthony forever. It is from all the 1934+ "meditation" chapters in which we see Anthony's sea-change from a life of indifference to one of meaning and purpose. Huxley's method in displaying this "progression" from modern dissatisfaction and pessimism, into selfless positivity and pacifism is the whole of "Eyeless in Gaza"; and nothing short of amazing in my opinion.

With subtle undertones of World War One echoing in the backdrop, the impending hostility of World War Two thumps from the future. Caught in between these institutionalized and mechanical worlds, are ordinary men and women like Anthony and Helen navigating the treacherous waterways of idealogy, politics, peer pressure/society, and conscience as best they "know how" (i.e. are trained to do). In some ways, this novel is a lead-in to "Island" in which Huxley attempts to depict an ideal society populated by such self-actualized citizens as Miller, Purchas, and Anthony Beavis. On the whole, "Eyeless in Gaza" can be demanding (it should be read at least twice - once by chapter, and once by date), and because Huxley doesn't spend a lot of time describing place or character, it can be easy to loose sense of the action the first time through. However, once you begin to appreciate Huxley's intentions, "Eyeless" blossoms into a unique and powerful literary mosaic that you will find it hard to forget.

It is a transformational experience. It represents the bridge between Huxley's social satire and his profound works on the experience of living. One of the most worthwhile bundles of printed paper in existence.