Carnival

by Compton Mackenzie

Jenny Pearl, a dancer, falls in love with Maurice Avery, a young dilettante who leaves her when she refuses to become his mistress. Despairingly, she falls into a loveless marriage with Trewhella, a Cornish farmer who becomes insanely jealous when Avery reappears on the scene. Vivid, moving, and ultimately tragic, this book was first published in 1912 to wide critical acclaim, helping to establish Mackenzie as one of the foremost British novelists of his generation. It has since been filmed three times and adapted for the stage and as an opera.

Genres: Fiction, Classics

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1912

About the author

Compton Mackenzie was born into a theatrical family. His father, Edward Compton, was an actor and theatre company manager; his sister, Fay Compton, starred in many of James M. Barrie's plays, including Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. He was educated at St Paul's School and Magdalen College, Oxford where he obtained a degree in Modern History.

Mackenzie was married three times and aside from his writing also worked as an actor, political activist, and broadcaster. He served with British Intelligence in the Eastern Mediterranean during World War I, later publishing four books on his experiences. Compton Mackenzie was from 1920–1923 Tenant of Herm and Jethou and he shares many similarities to the central character in D.H. Lawrence's short story The Man Who Loved Islands, despite Lawrence saying "the man is no more he than I am." Mackenzie at first asked Secker, who published both authors, not to print the story and it was left out of one collection.

Reviews

[Nicole C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This got on my list . . . somehow, perhaps mentioned in one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books (I know some of his characters were reading Mackenzie's work, but maybe not this one, specifically).

A bit melodramatic and overdone, an abrupt ending, but Mackenzie did describe the background scenes quite lovingly and I did appreciate these portions.

Supposedly there is a sequel called Coral, but I can't find too much about it.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Codswallop. I was generously thinking I was going to give this three stars, then I turned the final page and the narrative pretty much screamed… I don’t deserve more than two stars! No, no you don’t.
A pointless story and unconvincing in all aspects - unconvincing about dance, unconvincing about the lives of poor Londoners and unconvincing about Cornwall.
And Oh my God, the lead character was so unlikable.
This was the first real fail from 10 original penguins. I have no idea why they chose it.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Limited by its extremely heavy foreshadowing and the ending that necessitates it, but as with Sinister Street there's something wonderful about the impressionistic way it moves through childhood. (Also, I had forgotten Jenny's name pops up in Sylvia Scarlett and got a nice shock of recognition when this book's second main character made his belated entrance.)

[Jessica Steiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose Carnival as I had yet to read anything by this author. I knew the television series 'Monarch of the Glenn' is loosely based on one of his works, and I love the series- somehow I couldn't find that literary work in the freebies, so I tried Carnival. I did not love this book, I did stick with it as the main character obtained my pity and I wanted to find out how life turned out for her. Jenny (the main character) lacks wisdom and is crass (compared to well bred women of the day, but not really by today's standards), and you see she is formed by her environment. Another look at the class system, but this young woman has a mode (dancing) to break out of her life which may have otherwise kept her without opportunity, as a good education was not provided. I rooted for her, but a big part of me did not care. I mostly kept with Jenny for curiosity sake. C. Mackenzie's writing was what kept me coming back, and his descriptions of the life Jenny is surrounded by and the other characters was more interesting than Jenny herself. This story takes place in London, not Scotland- nothing reminiscent of a glen here, until Jenny leaves London at the last quarter of the tale. The ending is abrupt and shocking after the 'time' put into this book to see the character through, but alas, at the end I was surprised in finding I really didn't care how the book ended, just kind of glad it did ! I would like to read something else by Compton MacKenzie, located in Scottish territory with Scottish characters, as I imagine another work may be a better investment of time. All in all I did not hate Carnival, but did not love it either. I could recommend it if you would like to read all of this authors works, but otherwise skip to one that people love and recommend more highly. I really would like to read the author's BEST work, so if you could recommend his top two novels I would be grateful !

[Phil Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life story of Jenny, born into a working class family, became a dancer, lived the 'gay' life with other dancers and well-off men. Told with some wit and understated humour. A bit long, but interesting insight into late Victorian/Edwardian life.

[carelessdestiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very camply written novel. The descriptions of weather, cityscape and landscapes are a bit over done but the plot is pretty gripping.