Random Harvest (Hardcover)

In one sense, "Random Harvest" is a very dated novel: it was first published in 1941 and reads very much as a period piece, the dialogue feeling very stilted in places, almost a pastiche of upper class English speech of the period. But despite that, I thought that it had a lot going for it, not least because Hilton manages to keep the plot interesting for the reader by peeling away the mystery of Rainier's past gradually.

More interesting than that however, were Rainier's views on inter-war Britain - his character reflected a seeming loss of self-confidence, a deep dissatisfaction (almost an irritation) with the Empire, disillusion with the result of the sacrifices of World War One, and exasperation with socio-economic changes. This added another dimension to the novel.

In all, an enjoyable read. I'll even forgive the howler in the first pages of the novel when the two main characters wonder how the England cricket team will do in the next Test Match, despite the fact that they are travelling through England in November! And despite the fact that England were not playing abroad......

G Rodgers

The book is not so sentimental. In reading the book, I was unprepared for how well-depicted would be the pain of the protagonist's psychological plight, how thought-provoking this book would be about society, and how much an individual could realistically be shown to be at a loss - no matter his external circumstances.

This is very much about someone who senses that once his life had meaning to him, and he had happily occupied a niche in the world - and can't rediscover it. The author is so wonderful in conveying this desperation.

Mr. Hilton also wonderfully conveys the highs and lows of both the well-born establishment, and the utterly displaced, of inter-war England.

And amazingly, he brilliantly evokes the wonderfully dreamy feeling of being in love. The scenes in which Smitty finds the small town, climbs up to the small lake in the hills, what he sees when he awakens, and the following several days, must be among the most moving in fiction.

I also love how the author shows the differences in personality between the earnest, sweet, easily alarmed, humble Smitty and the somewhat cynical, immensely able, practical-joking, self-deprecating Rainier - much of the difference seems engendered by the way they're treated and their places in life.

I love how subtly the author shows Mrs. Rainier's reaction to Rainier's discoveries - it's just brilliantly done. And the book's ending could not be more satisfying.

This is a more thought-provoking book than Goodbye Mr. Chips - and as much as I enjoyed that, this is a better one. I loved this as much as Hilton's So Well Remembered - which is high praise.