Going Down Slow

by John Metcalf

First published in 1972, Going Down Slow is an intense and very funny novel about one mans attempt to maintain his sanity, and his sense of humour, in the face of mounting odds. Metcalf's young hero, David Appleby, a young school teacher just over from Britain, is pitted against small-mindedness, prejudice, and temptations that are generations old. The writing is, as one would expect of anything by Metcalf, of the highest order. Going Down Slow is a sharp and biting satire, and an unforgettable novel.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Christopher Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great and inventive writers of Canada, in the camp of Coover and Gaddis, John Metcalf demands reading. This is little book from 1972 that I recently found in a great used bookstore, and of course nabbed it. The protagonist, David, a teacher, just over from the UK is dating a high school girl of Arab descent. Her parents may or may not know. With lots of sharp, imaginative conversation the story unfolds. Here we can find traces of Joyce in the biting satire, and in the authors wonderment of words that is conveyed to us, the readers. There is also a tone that reminds me a bit of some of Nicholson Baker's work. They don't publish many books like this anymore, not because they're outdated but because they're so good and literary, fearing a public who watches streaming soap opera sagas won't have a clue, and probably rightly so. Read this and then think about Coetzee's Disgrace to see a different take on a similar theme. Both are highly recommended.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very straightforward story of a young teacher having an affair with a student and constantly bucking against the archaic schooling system and giving any thought to his future. It's written in a very stream of conscious manner where real life interjects between thoughts and the train gets derailed by ponderings that flit in and out. It's short and doesn't resolve anything but I wasn't invested towards the end anyway.