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The Right to an Answer
“Mr. Burgess has invented complex, varying people, and he has moved them well, giving them much to suffer and to do. . . .In the closing pages, Burgess has set off a wild joke in which all his themes―poetry, England, race, love―crackle and sparkle in a gloriously funny surprise. . . .The book is. . .a nicely controlled examination of some human predicaments that is cunningly disguised as entertainment.” ―Naomi Bliven, New Yorker The playground of Mr. Burgess’ humor is a city to which his hero, Denham, J. W., businessman, forty, British, returns on leave from the Far East to find the face of England hardened into a standardized grimace. He is appalled by his observations in all quarters of cheapness, shallowness, vice. He is appalled also by monotony. But monotony reigns only briefly. Soon Everett, the broken-down poet, and Winterbottom, the printer, have involved him in affairs which put a strain on his holiday spirit. And with the appearance of Mr. Raj, Ceylonese gentleman, persistent lecher and unflagging sociologist, speed quickens and control diminishes as Denham is carried helpless down the homestretch of his grueling comic course. Mr. Burgess’ humor stems from the depth of life rather than from its surface. His people are so vividly alive, and the anger, laughter and melodrama of their experiences so affecting that their story takes on dimension rare in novels so thoroughly entertaining.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Burgess
359 books4,255 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Seriocomic novels of noted British writer and critic Anthony Burgess, pen name of John Burgess Wilson, include the futuristic classic A Clockwork Orange (1962).
He composed also a librettos, poems, plays, screens, and essays and traveled, broadcast, translated, linguist and educationalist. He lived for long periods in southeastern Asia, the United States of America, and Europe along Mediterranean Sea as well as England. His fiction embraces the Malayan trilogy ( The Long Day Wanes ) on the dying days of empire in the east. The Enderby quartet concerns a poet and his muse. Nothing like the Sun re-creates love life of William Shakespeare. He explores the nature of evil with Earthly Powers , a panoramic saga of the 20th century. He published studies of James Joyce, Ernest Miller Hemingway, Shakespeare, and David Herbert Lawrence. He produced the treatises Language Made Plain and A Mouthful of Air . His journalism proliferated in several languages. He translated and adapted Cyrano de Bergerac , Oedipus the King , and Carmen for the stage. He scripted Jesus of Nazareth and Moses the Lawgiver for the screen. He invented the prehistoric language, spoken in Quest for Fire . He composed the Sinfoni Melayu , the Symphony (No. 3) in C , and the opera Blooms of Dublin .
Seriocomic novels of noted British writer and critic Anthony Burgess, pen name of John Burgess Wilson, include the futuristic classic A Clockwork Orange (1962).
He composed also a librettos, poems, plays, screens, and essays and traveled, broadcast, translated, linguist and educationalist. He lived for long periods in southeastern Asia, the United States of America, and Europe along Mediterranean Sea as well as England. His fiction embraces the Malayan trilogy ( The Long Day Wanes ) on the dying days of empire in the east. The Enderby quartet concerns a poet and his muse. Nothing like the Sun re-creates love life of William Shakespeare. He explores the nature of evil with Earthly Powers , a panoramic saga of the 20th century. He published studies of James Joyce, Ernest Miller Hemingway, Shakespeare, and David Herbert Lawrence. He produced the treatises Language Made Plain and A Mouthful of Air . His journalism proliferated in several languages. He translated and adapted Cyrano de Bergerac , Oedipus the King , and Carmen for the stage. He scripted Jesus of Nazareth and Moses the Lawgiver for the screen. He invented the prehistoric language, spoken in Quest for Fire . He composed the Sinfoni Melayu , the Symphony (No. 3) in C , and the opera Blooms of Dublin .
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 21, 2013
A condescending old-colonialist Brit with bags of money returns home to patronise the vulgar working-classes, condescend to a hopeless friend, dangle his money in front of a hopeless poet, leer at a cardboard femme fatale, insult and debase his sister, and condescend to a bumbling oversexed Indian immigrant named (quelle surprise!) Raj. He sets off on his travels again, watching the crazy world from his wry detached English colonial perspective, hopping into bed with his Japanese mistress (despite being fat and balding) and grumpily reacting to the death of his father as an interruption to his holiday. WTF Burgess???
February 16, 2019
Cuando comencé el libro, me dio la impresión de que no habría mucho de interés en él, uno de esos libros que Burgess escribió porque le pareció gracioso y la casa publicadora estuvo dispuesta a pagarle por ello. Sin embargo, a medida que fui leyendo, me pareció que había algo más en todo ello...
Es la historia de un individuo, J. W. Denham, que se siente como un extranjero en su propio país, ya que ha pasado la mayor parte de su vida viviendo en otros lugares, particularmente el subcontinente indio y el lejano oriente. Sólo va a Londres ocasionalmente a ver a su padre y, cada vez que está allá, se siente muy desconectado de un occidente que ve como decadente y bruto. Sin embargo, las cosas que le gustan de oriente en verdad son las que su país, en sus días de imperialismo, sembró allí, y no parece que tenga mucho aprecio por los elementos culturales más "nativos" de en donde se encuentra.
También está el señor Raj, un singalés que entra en contacto con Denham y, mediante mañas y maniobras suyas, queda al cuidado del padre de éste. Con el transcurso de la novela descubrimos que este personaje es prejuicioso, algo racista, agresivo, acomplejado y un tanto obseso. Dice querer estudiar las costumbres de occidente, pero parece más interesado en pasar de servidor a maestro.
Hay un tercer personaje, de menor importancia, pero de curioso interés en el papel de un tabernero que dice tener nexos familiares con Shakespeare. Al final del libro, sin revelar nada, el tipo lanza una teoría disparatada sobre el Bardo (que él cuenta como un hecho cierto, y con lo poco que se sabe del hombre en cuestión, no es del todo imposible) sólo para dar una morajela al final de la historia.
La escritura es muy humorística y auto-consciente, con varios juegos de palabras y personajes que no parecen calzar mucho con el mundo real. La novela también refleja un poco el zeitgest de la época, lo que para ojos de algunos, puede añejar la historia un poco: el Imperio Británico va en retirada, la gente de piel morena en Inglaterra se va haciendo más común pero todavía no es tan normal, la televisión es tratada como un elemento idiotizante, tanto en diálogo como en hechos (algunos personajes, muy orgullosos de sí mismos, se niegan a reconocer que ven televisión)...
A primera vista parece sólo otra humorada menor de Burgess, pero a mi juicio, un poco más abajo de eso hay una historia más potente sobre exiliados desilusionados y su apatía frente al mundo que encuentran, y la novela engancha mucho más una vez que avanza la historia.
Es la historia de un individuo, J. W. Denham, que se siente como un extranjero en su propio país, ya que ha pasado la mayor parte de su vida viviendo en otros lugares, particularmente el subcontinente indio y el lejano oriente. Sólo va a Londres ocasionalmente a ver a su padre y, cada vez que está allá, se siente muy desconectado de un occidente que ve como decadente y bruto. Sin embargo, las cosas que le gustan de oriente en verdad son las que su país, en sus días de imperialismo, sembró allí, y no parece que tenga mucho aprecio por los elementos culturales más "nativos" de en donde se encuentra.
También está el señor Raj, un singalés que entra en contacto con Denham y, mediante mañas y maniobras suyas, queda al cuidado del padre de éste. Con el transcurso de la novela descubrimos que este personaje es prejuicioso, algo racista, agresivo, acomplejado y un tanto obseso. Dice querer estudiar las costumbres de occidente, pero parece más interesado en pasar de servidor a maestro.
Hay un tercer personaje, de menor importancia, pero de curioso interés en el papel de un tabernero que dice tener nexos familiares con Shakespeare. Al final del libro, sin revelar nada, el tipo lanza una teoría disparatada sobre el Bardo (que él cuenta como un hecho cierto, y con lo poco que se sabe del hombre en cuestión, no es del todo imposible) sólo para dar una morajela al final de la historia.
La escritura es muy humorística y auto-consciente, con varios juegos de palabras y personajes que no parecen calzar mucho con el mundo real. La novela también refleja un poco el zeitgest de la época, lo que para ojos de algunos, puede añejar la historia un poco: el Imperio Británico va en retirada, la gente de piel morena en Inglaterra se va haciendo más común pero todavía no es tan normal, la televisión es tratada como un elemento idiotizante, tanto en diálogo como en hechos (algunos personajes, muy orgullosos de sí mismos, se niegan a reconocer que ven televisión)...
A primera vista parece sólo otra humorada menor de Burgess, pero a mi juicio, un poco más abajo de eso hay una historia más potente sobre exiliados desilusionados y su apatía frente al mundo que encuentran, y la novela engancha mucho más una vez que avanza la historia.
July 10, 2015
I think Burgess may be accused of having written only minor novels, and many of them, quickly, at that. Still, I think his brilliance is never really obscured. This is one of his better (best?) early novels.
May 18, 2013
Burgess is a writer I have more respect for than most others. His dedication to the craft wa unmatched and his output was so great that in one year in the early 1960s he published more books than James Joyce did over his entire career.
Outside of A Clockwork Orange Burgess is a writer that does not get his due. He was unfairly put down for being too prolific. Because he published so much, by merely looking at the statiscical odds, many of his books had to be less than great, mediocre and even forgetable. Occasionally something brilliant was published.
Of all the books I've read by Burgess I have read three brilliant books. The first was M/F, the second was The Wanting Seed and the third was this book, The Right to An Answer.
The Right to An Answer is about the social life in a small town in post-war England. The plot is sparee and actaully does not pick up until more than half way through the book. I would consider this a negative with anyone other than Burgess. This book reminded me of the Burgess in interviews I've watched of him where he just riffed on English culture, life, and etiquette.
The book follows a man named J.W. Denham. J.W. works for a company that has him constantly traveling throughout the world, but he always comes back to the small town where his father lives.
The first half of the book has J.W. getting involved in the lives of several of the men and women in the town. But, he is never directly involved. He is always there, watching and convinced to give money to several character's causes.
The social norms of the town is basically broken down to this: Some people have a secret life. They put up a very specific facade and front for "society's sake." You learn that a certain Mrs. Winterbottom is having an affair that everyone seems to know about, but when Mr. Winterbottom runs off to London with a young woman J.W. tells him "You've committed the great sin against stability." You can do whatever you want behind closed doors but don't break the foundation of a stable life: Marriage, Home, Job.
About half way through the book the reader is introduced to Mr. Raj and finally some plot. Mr. Raj is from Ceylon (constantly being mistaken for India) and forces himself on J.W. as a friend and eventually housemate to J.W.'s father. Mr. Raj is a doing research into "Racialism" (racism). He is very mistaken as to his place in English society. Being an intellectual and coming from upper class stock, he believes to be equal to the white English. The locals see his black skin and thinks different.
Mr. Raj remains persistant in his persuate of being accepted. He meets Mrs. Winterbottom and courts the woman while her husband is in London with his young mistress.
Mr. Raj wants to be apart of the English society that he clearly so muc loves, but he also harshly judges the same society he also resents.
The clash between Mr. Raj and this English society come to a head when Mr. Winterbottom comes back to reconcile with his wife. She wants him back. Mr. Raj is furious since she does not love him. So, he kills Mr. Winterbottom. He loved (and maybe felt entitled) to Mrs. Winterbottom. What he did not understand was that stability trumps love in this culture. Mr. Raj kills himself.
The last twenty pages is the dinner after the funeral for J.W.'s father. The dinner is at the local pub. Several speeches are made and zero of them have any warmth for the corpse. A few of the attendees arent even sure who they're toasting. Everyone is very uninterested in the dead man and more interested in the free drinks and food.
Fed up with the town J.W. moves to Tokyo for work. One day he is visited by an old friend from the small town who is on Holiday. He tells J.W. a story about Shakespeare and how he was fun loving and wrote great, witty plays while married to his wife. Then one day he meets and falls for a woman. He beccomes obsessed with this new love, his plays become intense, and his great wit turns dark. This new girl had given him syphilus and Shakespeare went mad and died with only his daughter by his side. The point being that stability and contentment won't be exciting, but will bring smiles and great productivity, while giving into passions and impulse will end quickly but leave long lasting wounds that may be fatal.
Outside of A Clockwork Orange Burgess is a writer that does not get his due. He was unfairly put down for being too prolific. Because he published so much, by merely looking at the statiscical odds, many of his books had to be less than great, mediocre and even forgetable. Occasionally something brilliant was published.
Of all the books I've read by Burgess I have read three brilliant books. The first was M/F, the second was The Wanting Seed and the third was this book, The Right to An Answer.
The Right to An Answer is about the social life in a small town in post-war England. The plot is sparee and actaully does not pick up until more than half way through the book. I would consider this a negative with anyone other than Burgess. This book reminded me of the Burgess in interviews I've watched of him where he just riffed on English culture, life, and etiquette.
The book follows a man named J.W. Denham. J.W. works for a company that has him constantly traveling throughout the world, but he always comes back to the small town where his father lives.
The first half of the book has J.W. getting involved in the lives of several of the men and women in the town. But, he is never directly involved. He is always there, watching and convinced to give money to several character's causes.
The social norms of the town is basically broken down to this: Some people have a secret life. They put up a very specific facade and front for "society's sake." You learn that a certain Mrs. Winterbottom is having an affair that everyone seems to know about, but when Mr. Winterbottom runs off to London with a young woman J.W. tells him "You've committed the great sin against stability." You can do whatever you want behind closed doors but don't break the foundation of a stable life: Marriage, Home, Job.
About half way through the book the reader is introduced to Mr. Raj and finally some plot. Mr. Raj is from Ceylon (constantly being mistaken for India) and forces himself on J.W. as a friend and eventually housemate to J.W.'s father. Mr. Raj is a doing research into "Racialism" (racism). He is very mistaken as to his place in English society. Being an intellectual and coming from upper class stock, he believes to be equal to the white English. The locals see his black skin and thinks different.
Mr. Raj remains persistant in his persuate of being accepted. He meets Mrs. Winterbottom and courts the woman while her husband is in London with his young mistress.
Mr. Raj wants to be apart of the English society that he clearly so muc loves, but he also harshly judges the same society he also resents.
The clash between Mr. Raj and this English society come to a head when Mr. Winterbottom comes back to reconcile with his wife. She wants him back. Mr. Raj is furious since she does not love him. So, he kills Mr. Winterbottom. He loved (and maybe felt entitled) to Mrs. Winterbottom. What he did not understand was that stability trumps love in this culture. Mr. Raj kills himself.
The last twenty pages is the dinner after the funeral for J.W.'s father. The dinner is at the local pub. Several speeches are made and zero of them have any warmth for the corpse. A few of the attendees arent even sure who they're toasting. Everyone is very uninterested in the dead man and more interested in the free drinks and food.
Fed up with the town J.W. moves to Tokyo for work. One day he is visited by an old friend from the small town who is on Holiday. He tells J.W. a story about Shakespeare and how he was fun loving and wrote great, witty plays while married to his wife. Then one day he meets and falls for a woman. He beccomes obsessed with this new love, his plays become intense, and his great wit turns dark. This new girl had given him syphilus and Shakespeare went mad and died with only his daughter by his side. The point being that stability and contentment won't be exciting, but will bring smiles and great productivity, while giving into passions and impulse will end quickly but leave long lasting wounds that may be fatal.
June 18, 2022
I was a bit horrified by how effectively the beginning of this book evoked my childhood, and more specifically my father. I nearly stopped reading it, thinking this would be too depressing. The author exposes us to troublesome and unpleasant realities. But I am very glad that I persisted.
Want to read
May 4, 2016I believe that this is Anthony Burgess's fourth book.
March 4, 2024
“The Right to an Answer” delves into the social dynamics of a small town in post-war England. The plot is quite sparse as it allows for a deeper exploration of societal norms and individual motivations.
The book revolves around J.W. Denham, who frequently travels for work but always returns to his small hometown where his father resides. Initially, J.W. observes the lives of various townsfolk and often provides financial support to their causes. The town's social norms revolve around maintaining a facade of stability, despite some individuals leading secret lives.
The plot thickens when Mr. Raj, a researcher from Ceylon, enters J.W.'s life and strives for acceptance in English society despite racial prejudice. Mr. Raj becomes involved with Mrs. Winterbottom, whose husband's return prompts a violent climax resulting in Mr. Raj's suicide.
The story concludes with a lacklustre funeral dinner for J.W.'s father, highlighting the town's indifference to death. J.W. eventually leaves for Tokyo, where a friend warns him about the dangers of prioritizing passion over stability, using Shakespeare's tragic love affair as an example.
This is my second read from Burgess's vault. My first was A Clockwork Orange. Both "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Right to an Answer" exemplify Burgess's astute observations of human behavior. In "A Clockwork Orange," Burgess delves into the complexities of morality, free will, and the nature of evil through the character of Alex and his experiences with violence, rehabilitation, and societal control. Similarly, in "The Right to an Answer," Burgess explores the social dynamics of a small town in post-war England, dissecting the intricacies of human interactions, societal norms, and individual motivations. Through his vivid characters and intricate plots, Burgess offers profound insights into the human condition, showcasing his talent for keen observation and analysis.
The book revolves around J.W. Denham, who frequently travels for work but always returns to his small hometown where his father resides. Initially, J.W. observes the lives of various townsfolk and often provides financial support to their causes. The town's social norms revolve around maintaining a facade of stability, despite some individuals leading secret lives.
The plot thickens when Mr. Raj, a researcher from Ceylon, enters J.W.'s life and strives for acceptance in English society despite racial prejudice. Mr. Raj becomes involved with Mrs. Winterbottom, whose husband's return prompts a violent climax resulting in Mr. Raj's suicide.
The story concludes with a lacklustre funeral dinner for J.W.'s father, highlighting the town's indifference to death. J.W. eventually leaves for Tokyo, where a friend warns him about the dangers of prioritizing passion over stability, using Shakespeare's tragic love affair as an example.
This is my second read from Burgess's vault. My first was A Clockwork Orange. Both "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Right to an Answer" exemplify Burgess's astute observations of human behavior. In "A Clockwork Orange," Burgess delves into the complexities of morality, free will, and the nature of evil through the character of Alex and his experiences with violence, rehabilitation, and societal control. Similarly, in "The Right to an Answer," Burgess explores the social dynamics of a small town in post-war England, dissecting the intricacies of human interactions, societal norms, and individual motivations. Through his vivid characters and intricate plots, Burgess offers profound insights into the human condition, showcasing his talent for keen observation and analysis.
December 3, 2021
A satire focusing on the dissatisfaction many newcomers to England feel as they try to assimilate themselves into British society. The author shows the similarities and the differences between a returning British expatriate and a South Asian immigrant as the the two men strike up an increasingly antagonistic relationship.
November 17, 2024
Definitely funny, but many of the themes were outdated and one of the main characters, Mr. Raj was overly cringe. I will give AB the benefit of the doubt that he was aware of it; and after reading the letter in the last two pages of the book I am sure that he was and the book was merely a reflection of his hidden thoughts like they always are with great writers.
January 27, 2008
This is a book that I have read several times before. This is a pre-Clockwork Orange novel that has many of Burgess' themes such as modern English society, the relationship between East/West and Shakespere.
May 3, 2007
interesting comic look at the emptiness of modern english life (circa 1960's) and race relations at the time. bonfiglioli-ish.
July 21, 2011
Great prose.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews