What do you think?
Rate this book
The Human Comedy
The place is Ithaca, in California's San Joaquin Valley. The time is World War II. The family is the Macauleys -- a mother, sister, and three brothers whose struggles and dreams reflect those of America's second-generation immigrants.. In particular, fourteen-year-old Homer, determined to become one of the fastest telegraph messengers in the West, finds himself caught between reality and illusion as delivering his messages of wartime death, love, and money brings him face-to-face with human emotion at its most naked and raw.
Gentle, poignant and richly autobiographical, this delightful novel shows us the boy becoming the man in a world that even in the midst of war, appears sweeter, safer and more livable than out own.
Gentle, poignant and richly autobiographical, this delightful novel shows us the boy becoming the man in a world that even in the midst of war, appears sweeter, safer and more livable than out own.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 1943
170 people are currently reading
9444 people want to read
About the author
William Saroyan
347 books641 followersWilliam Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer, renowned for his novels, plays, and short stories. He gained widespread recognition for his unique literary style, often characterized by a deep appreciation for everyday life and human resilience. His works frequently explored themes of Armenian-American immigrant experiences, particularly in his native California, and were infused with optimism, humor, and sentimentality.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.
Saroyan's breakthrough came with The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze (1934), a short story that established him as a major literary voice during the Great Depression. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for The Time of Your Life, though he declined the award, and in 1943, he won an Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy. His novel My Name Is Aram (1940), based on his childhood, became an international bestseller.
Though celebrated for his literary achievements, Saroyan had a tumultuous career, often struggling with financial instability due to his gambling habits and an unwillingness to compromise with Hollywood. His later works were less commercially successful, but he remained a prolific writer, publishing essays, memoirs, and plays throughout his life.
Saroyan's legacy endures through his influence on American literature, his contributions to Armenian cultural identity, and the honors bestowed upon him, including a posthumous induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His remains are divided between Fresno, California, and Armenia, reflecting his deep connection to both his birthplace and ancestral homeland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 729 reviews
February 24, 2022
Un libro bello e inocente como una ilustración de Norman Rockwell. Un libro que hay que leer con el espíritu del Frank Capra de Qué bello es vivir. Un libro del que también hay película.
El libro se compone de capítulos que podrían ser preciosos cuentos en sí mismos. Un libro trágico sobre personajes insatisfechos, pero tratado con una delicada sencillez...
«Éste es mi hijo. Tiene tres años. No está enfermo. Quierre muchas codsas. Yo no sé qué quierre. Nadie sabe lo que quierre. Simplemente quierre. Mirra a Dios y didse: dame esto, dame aquello, pero nunca está satisfecho. Siempre quierre más. Nunca está contento. Y el pobre Dios no tiene nada parra una tristedsa así. Nos lo da todo: el mundo, la luz del sol, la madre, el padre, el hermano, la hermana, los tíos, los primos, la cadsa, la granja, la codsina, la medsa, la cama… El pobre Dios lo da todo, pero nadie está feliz…»...con el drama de la guerra visto desde el lado de los que se quedan. Pero con la esperanza de que todo puede ser distinto.
«Por el amor de Dios, hijo, ¡no hagas eso! Aunque yo lo haga, tú eres mi hijo y por tanto eres mejor que yo y no tienes que hacerlo. ¡Sé feliz! ¡Sé feliz! Yo soy infeliz, pero tú tienes que ser feliz.»No es, por tanto, un libro sobre la verdad, sobre toda la verdad, del ser humano, pero hay veces que no es la verdad lo que necesitamos oír, ¿no creen?
July 19, 2025
“Everything is changed for you. But it is still the same, too. The loneliness you feel has come to you because you are no longer a child. But the world has always been full of that loneliness.”
The Human Comedy ~~~ William Saroyan
Have you ever read a book that makes you want to go out into the world make it a better place? Or maybe it makes you want to write a letter to get ahold of an old friend, or call your mother. Have you ever read a book that can make you optimistically happy and affectionately sad ~~ a book that can make you long for another time and place? William Saroyan's The Human Comedy is that book. In Saroyan’s world, human beings are at their very best, and a message of sincere, unabashed hope leaps off the pages.
The Human Comedy takes place in the California town of Ithaca, where fourteen-year-old Homer Macauley is being dragged into adulthood before his time by a world at war. Homer’s father has recently died; Homer is forced to work long hours delivering telegrams to support his family. This job brings him into contact with Mr. Grogan and Mr. Spangler, two of the sincerest, nicest men ever. They are his supervisors at the telegraph office; it is here he learns of life, love, work, and values. Homer's job also exposes him to subjects that he is perhaps too young for; as the messenger, he is responsible for delivering notices to war mothers telling them that their sons have died in war. While he takes on all these adult responsibilities, Homer is still just a boy. He goes to school, is unwavering to win the track race, and is resolute in winning the love of Helen Elliot.
Homer's family is a close one. His mother, Mrs. Macauley, exhibits quiet resolve and wisdom, and is there for both her sons no matter what. His little brother, Ulysses, wanders innocently around the town and acts as a magnet for all the goings-on and eccentrics of Ithaca. Through his child's eyes, all the odd happenings and peculiar encounters of a small 1940s town are recorded. Their sister, Bess, is looking to find her place as a young woman in the world. The oldest sibling, Marcus, is off at war, dreaming of his cherished homeland and sending letters back to his beloved family members. Homer looks up to Marcus greatly and only wishes he would return home from the war.
While reading The Human Comedy, I was struck by the moving human interactions defined by the undying force of love. The Human Comedy is filled with goodness. It is said that nowadays the world is much more complicated than it was in the simpler time in which The Human Comedy was written. But does it have to be? Perhaps if we slowed down, and focused more on our families, and communities rather than the world at large, our world would be a simpler place. The message of The Human Comedy is that we should strive to be the best human beings we can be; then the beautiful portrait Saroyan paints of both a family and a community in here that will not seem so distant. The Human Comedy will stay with you for a long time.
The Human Comedy ~~~ William Saroyan
Have you ever read a book that makes you want to go out into the world make it a better place? Or maybe it makes you want to write a letter to get ahold of an old friend, or call your mother. Have you ever read a book that can make you optimistically happy and affectionately sad ~~ a book that can make you long for another time and place? William Saroyan's The Human Comedy is that book. In Saroyan’s world, human beings are at their very best, and a message of sincere, unabashed hope leaps off the pages.
The Human Comedy takes place in the California town of Ithaca, where fourteen-year-old Homer Macauley is being dragged into adulthood before his time by a world at war. Homer’s father has recently died; Homer is forced to work long hours delivering telegrams to support his family. This job brings him into contact with Mr. Grogan and Mr. Spangler, two of the sincerest, nicest men ever. They are his supervisors at the telegraph office; it is here he learns of life, love, work, and values. Homer's job also exposes him to subjects that he is perhaps too young for; as the messenger, he is responsible for delivering notices to war mothers telling them that their sons have died in war. While he takes on all these adult responsibilities, Homer is still just a boy. He goes to school, is unwavering to win the track race, and is resolute in winning the love of Helen Elliot.
Homer's family is a close one. His mother, Mrs. Macauley, exhibits quiet resolve and wisdom, and is there for both her sons no matter what. His little brother, Ulysses, wanders innocently around the town and acts as a magnet for all the goings-on and eccentrics of Ithaca. Through his child's eyes, all the odd happenings and peculiar encounters of a small 1940s town are recorded. Their sister, Bess, is looking to find her place as a young woman in the world. The oldest sibling, Marcus, is off at war, dreaming of his cherished homeland and sending letters back to his beloved family members. Homer looks up to Marcus greatly and only wishes he would return home from the war.
While reading The Human Comedy, I was struck by the moving human interactions defined by the undying force of love. The Human Comedy is filled with goodness. It is said that nowadays the world is much more complicated than it was in the simpler time in which The Human Comedy was written. But does it have to be? Perhaps if we slowed down, and focused more on our families, and communities rather than the world at large, our world would be a simpler place. The message of The Human Comedy is that we should strive to be the best human beings we can be; then the beautiful portrait Saroyan paints of both a family and a community in here that will not seem so distant. The Human Comedy will stay with you for a long time.
September 25, 2007
i have just reread this beautiful little masterpiece and fell in love with saroyan and this book all over again. i am now going to pick up his short stories and marvel at those. i say, do this now. you can read it in a weekend. short, sweet, tidy, and beautiful, it is a lovely novel which touches the heart and soul without being sappy, overly sentimental or unrealistic. it takes place in the fictional 'ithaca' which, if you note by the mention of Roeding Park or Gottschalks, is actually Fresno, California.
September 2, 2020
I like this book so much because it wonderfully portrays how life is a battle for young and old and the in-between, for all of us. The characters in the book are each fighting different battles, from the youngest of only four caught in a trap, losing a father, missing a brother and confused by the general state of the world around him, to an elderly telegrapher who cannot bear the consequences of war in his hometown (Ithaca, San Joaquin Valley, California) or for that matter the general state of the world, war 1942. Neither understands the incomprehensibility of life. Each battle is as important as the other. I saw and understood ALL the characters’ personal battles. Some die. Some falter. Some are strong. Just as in real life. In this book you see everyone’s battle, and I liked that very much.
The common battle, that which the characters and we are all fighting, is our attempt to make sense of the craziness of the world we live in. Look at the title: The Human Comedy! We struggle; we try to reach understanding of a world that is not understandable. It is this that is the human comedy.
There is a lot in this story that probably would not happen; for this reason alone I shouldn’t like it as much as I do.
Faith is an integral part of the story. I would love to have faith, but I don’t. This could have been a stumbling block for my appreciation of the story, but because faith is not shoved upon the reader it is not a problem either.
I loved that each individual’s battle felt real, vital and worthy of battle. A four-year- old’s, a fourteen-year-old’s, a half-wit’s, a soldier’s, the town’s ancient history teacher’s. I saw kindness, and I saw meanness.
The audiobook narration is by Meg Ryan. I discovered that this story has just this month, September 2016, come out as a new film entitled Ithaca . Meg Ryan both directs and acts in the film. Her diverse intonations did not work for me, but she is easy to follow. The audiobook narration is not bad.
I have read that the novel has autobiographical content, but I don’t know more than that. Neither do I understand what the author was trying to say by taking names and places from Homer’s Odyssey. Is it the draw of home? But what is “home”? Is it necessarily a place or is it more than that? Is it our need to believe in goodness and truth and kindness, the things we often associate with our earliest childhood and home? I am not sure.
The common battle, that which the characters and we are all fighting, is our attempt to make sense of the craziness of the world we live in. Look at the title: The Human Comedy! We struggle; we try to reach understanding of a world that is not understandable. It is this that is the human comedy.
There is a lot in this story that probably would not happen; for this reason alone I shouldn’t like it as much as I do.
Faith is an integral part of the story. I would love to have faith, but I don’t. This could have been a stumbling block for my appreciation of the story, but because faith is not shoved upon the reader it is not a problem either.
I loved that each individual’s battle felt real, vital and worthy of battle. A four-year- old’s, a fourteen-year-old’s, a half-wit’s, a soldier’s, the town’s ancient history teacher’s. I saw kindness, and I saw meanness.
The audiobook narration is by Meg Ryan. I discovered that this story has just this month, September 2016, come out as a new film entitled Ithaca . Meg Ryan both directs and acts in the film. Her diverse intonations did not work for me, but she is easy to follow. The audiobook narration is not bad.
I have read that the novel has autobiographical content, but I don’t know more than that. Neither do I understand what the author was trying to say by taking names and places from Homer’s Odyssey. Is it the draw of home? But what is “home”? Is it necessarily a place or is it more than that? Is it our need to believe in goodness and truth and kindness, the things we often associate with our earliest childhood and home? I am not sure.
May 28, 2012
The place is Ithaca, a fictional small town in California's San Joaquin Valley. The year is 1943 and World War II is on-going. The Macauley family, just like any other families, is taking the brunt of war: the father is dead, the eldest son Marcus is in the war front, the mother is working in a factory, the daughter has left the school and is looking for work, the 14-y/o Homer has taken the job as a telegraph messenger to help support the family including his younger brother, the 4-y/o Ulysses.
This children's book is semi-autobiographical. I've read several children's book and this is the first one that is mostly based on real experiences of the author. William Saroyan (1908-1981) was an Armenian American dramatist and writer. Ithaca was actually Fresno, California where his parents settled upon arriving from Turkey (under Ottoman Empire). Saroyan was born in Fresno but when he and his sister lost their father when Saroyan was only 3 years old, they were placed in an orphanage in Oakland, California. Years later, when their mother Tahooki got a job in a canning factory, she got them back they were all reunited in Fresno. Saroyan dedicated this book to his mother.
This 192-page book is divided into 39 anecdotal short stories told from the points of view of the family members. Since they are based on actual events, they are very engaging and interesting. Three years ago, prior to my reading of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, the image of the USA in my mind was all milk and honey. It was a shock to learn that there was a part of the American history when people experienced starvation and hopelessness. I am talking about the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression of 1939, etc. Here, in this book The Human Comedy, the setting is still California. While the Macauley family is not as poor as the Joads, they belong to the second generation of poor illiterate immigrants from Europe so they struggle to make ends meet especially because of the on-going war.
Since this is a children's book, the language used is direct and simple, i.e., devoid of big words. The sentences are short and crisp. The stories are very insightful with most of them having either a moral lesson in the end or will leave something with you to ponder on. The example of the thought to ponder is the image of a black man waving at the 4-y/o Ulysses. Saroyan says that the image will be something that the small boy will remember forever. I wonder why: was it because California at the time was mostly composed of white people and a black man riding on a train waving at a 4-y/o white child was a rare event? Coming from an a non-American (I am an Asian), I am just curious.
Even if the book is composed of short stories, the plot is still complete and tight. I was engaged through and through and my jaw literally dropped in the end because of the twist. Very adept storytelling. Again, another proof that we should not discount children's books since they can still be interesting for us adults. This book has a bit of history and a bunch of lessons on how to be a good human being even if it says comedy in the title.
This children's book is semi-autobiographical. I've read several children's book and this is the first one that is mostly based on real experiences of the author. William Saroyan (1908-1981) was an Armenian American dramatist and writer. Ithaca was actually Fresno, California where his parents settled upon arriving from Turkey (under Ottoman Empire). Saroyan was born in Fresno but when he and his sister lost their father when Saroyan was only 3 years old, they were placed in an orphanage in Oakland, California. Years later, when their mother Tahooki got a job in a canning factory, she got them back they were all reunited in Fresno. Saroyan dedicated this book to his mother.
This 192-page book is divided into 39 anecdotal short stories told from the points of view of the family members. Since they are based on actual events, they are very engaging and interesting. Three years ago, prior to my reading of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, the image of the USA in my mind was all milk and honey. It was a shock to learn that there was a part of the American history when people experienced starvation and hopelessness. I am talking about the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression of 1939, etc. Here, in this book The Human Comedy, the setting is still California. While the Macauley family is not as poor as the Joads, they belong to the second generation of poor illiterate immigrants from Europe so they struggle to make ends meet especially because of the on-going war.
Since this is a children's book, the language used is direct and simple, i.e., devoid of big words. The sentences are short and crisp. The stories are very insightful with most of them having either a moral lesson in the end or will leave something with you to ponder on. The example of the thought to ponder is the image of a black man waving at the 4-y/o Ulysses. Saroyan says that the image will be something that the small boy will remember forever. I wonder why: was it because California at the time was mostly composed of white people and a black man riding on a train waving at a 4-y/o white child was a rare event? Coming from an a non-American (I am an Asian), I am just curious.
Even if the book is composed of short stories, the plot is still complete and tight. I was engaged through and through and my jaw literally dropped in the end because of the twist. Very adept storytelling. Again, another proof that we should not discount children's books since they can still be interesting for us adults. This book has a bit of history and a bunch of lessons on how to be a good human being even if it says comedy in the title.
August 2, 2018
Sognando in California.
Delizioso, fresco, scanzonato, innocente.
Un'Odissea per vivere la quale non è necessario allontanarsi da Ithaca, perché tutto il mondo è casa e a casa c'è tutto un mondo da scoprire: basta avere occhi - e cuore- per mettersi in viaggio e aprire la mente alle piccole grandi scoperte quotidiane, proprio così come fa il piccolo e curioso Ulysses, che viaggia in mondo fatto di giganti buoni, di ciclopi che proteggono un albicocco, e di una materna Penelope tra le cui braccia è sempre bello sapere di poter tornare.
Proprio così come fa il saggio Homer, che a soli quattordici anni ha già iniziato a capire che al mondo non si smette di piangere una volta diventati adulti, ma che a cambiare sono solo i perché.
E lui pedala, pedala, pedala, perché c'è tutto un mondo da scoprire. E da vivere, in punta di...
E qui si interrompe il mio commento scritto 'in diretta', ormai un mese fa, nelle note del mio cellulare. :-)
Un mondo troppo buono, quello raccontato, sul filo della Seconda Guerra, da William Saroyan?
Forse, ma se non siamo capaci di accettare che almeno i bambini siano capaci di sognare a occhi aperti, cosa ci resta?
«...e nei sogni di bambino la chitarra era una spada e chi non ci credeva era un pirata»
(Questo non è Saroyan d'accordo, ma ascoltando questa canzone , qualche giorno fa, non ho potuto fare a meno di pensare a Ithaca come all'isola che non c'è.)
«L'Ovest è meglio?»
«Non lo so. Non sono mai andato da nessun'altra parte».
«Ci andrai?»
«Un giorno».
«Dove?»
«A New York».
«Dov'è New York?»
«A est. Dopo New York, Londra. Dopo Londra, Parigi. Dopo Parigi, Berlino. Poi Vienna, Roma, Mosca, Stoccolma - un giorno andrò in tutte le città del mondo».
«Tornerai?»
«Certo».
«Perché?»
«È sempre bello ritornare, ecco perché».
(Questo invece è proprio Saroyan)
Delizioso, fresco, scanzonato, innocente.
Un'Odissea per vivere la quale non è necessario allontanarsi da Ithaca, perché tutto il mondo è casa e a casa c'è tutto un mondo da scoprire: basta avere occhi - e cuore- per mettersi in viaggio e aprire la mente alle piccole grandi scoperte quotidiane, proprio così come fa il piccolo e curioso Ulysses, che viaggia in mondo fatto di giganti buoni, di ciclopi che proteggono un albicocco, e di una materna Penelope tra le cui braccia è sempre bello sapere di poter tornare.
Proprio così come fa il saggio Homer, che a soli quattordici anni ha già iniziato a capire che al mondo non si smette di piangere una volta diventati adulti, ma che a cambiare sono solo i perché.
E lui pedala, pedala, pedala, perché c'è tutto un mondo da scoprire. E da vivere, in punta di...
E qui si interrompe il mio commento scritto 'in diretta', ormai un mese fa, nelle note del mio cellulare. :-)
Un mondo troppo buono, quello raccontato, sul filo della Seconda Guerra, da William Saroyan?
Forse, ma se non siamo capaci di accettare che almeno i bambini siano capaci di sognare a occhi aperti, cosa ci resta?
«...e nei sogni di bambino la chitarra era una spada e chi non ci credeva era un pirata»
(Questo non è Saroyan d'accordo, ma ascoltando questa canzone , qualche giorno fa, non ho potuto fare a meno di pensare a Ithaca come all'isola che non c'è.)
«L'Ovest è meglio?»
«Non lo so. Non sono mai andato da nessun'altra parte».
«Ci andrai?»
«Un giorno».
«Dove?»
«A New York».
«Dov'è New York?»
«A est. Dopo New York, Londra. Dopo Londra, Parigi. Dopo Parigi, Berlino. Poi Vienna, Roma, Mosca, Stoccolma - un giorno andrò in tutte le città del mondo».
«Tornerai?»
«Certo».
«Perché?»
«È sempre bello ritornare, ecco perché».
(Questo invece è proprio Saroyan)
August 12, 2021
“Αν κάποιος δεν έχει κλάψει με τον πόνο του κόσμου, είναι μονάχα μισός άνθρωπος, και πάντα θα υπάρχει πόνος στον κόσμο. Αυτό δε σημαίνει ότι πρέπει να απελπιστούμε, Ο καλός άνθρωπος προσπαθεί ν' αφαιρέσει τον πόνο από τα πράγματα. Ο ανόητος δεν το παρατηρεί καν, παρά μονάχα στον εαυτό του. Και ο κακόμοιρος, άτυχος κακός άνθρωπος σπρώχνει τον πόνο πιο βαθιά μέσα στα πράγματα, και τον απλώνει παντού όπου πηγαίνει. Ωστόσο κανένας δεν είναι ένοχος, γιατί κανείς δε ζήτησε να έρθει σε τούτο τον κόσμο και ούτε ήρθε ολοκαίνουριος, από το πουθενά και το τίποτα. Ήρθε από κάποιους άλλους ανθρώπους. Στ’ αλήθεια δεν πιστεύω ότι οι κακοί γνωρίζουν ότι είναι κακοί. Είναι απλώς άτυχοι αυτό είναι όλο”.
Μα τι ωραίο βιβλίο ρε παιδιά. Γλυκόπικρο μεν, αλλά συνάμα τόσο ελπιδοφόρο. Ένα must βιβλίο ενηλικίωσης μέσα από τα μάτια μιας παιδικής ψυχής που παρά τη σκληρότητα του πολέμου κανείς δε μπορεί να σκοτώσει. Από κείνα τα βιβλία που μέσα από την απλότητα τους σου γεμίζει η ψυχή όταν τα διαβάζεις.
Μα τι ωραίο βιβλίο ρε παιδιά. Γλυκόπικρο μεν, αλλά συνάμα τόσο ελπιδοφόρο. Ένα must βιβλίο ενηλικίωσης μέσα από τα μάτια μιας παιδικής ψυχής που παρά τη σκληρότητα του πολέμου κανείς δε μπορεί να σκοτώσει. Από κείνα τα βιβλία που μέσα από την απλότητα τους σου γεμίζει η ψυχή όταν τα διαβάζεις.
October 15, 2021
Μικρό διαμάντι...
Αυτό θα πω μόνο...
4,5 αστέρια
Αυτό θα πω μόνο...
4,5 αστέρια
October 22, 2024
🇦🇲 A brilliant American-Armenian family saga with its share of the sort of good times we all know and the moments that pierce us through. A beautiful, flowing writing style, a beautiful story.
I also recommend his novel, My Name is Aram.
I also recommend his novel, My Name is Aram.
February 19, 2025
Feb 18, 2025, 6pm ~~ The first edition came in the mail today. to keep things sort of tidy, I will post in the comments all three versions of that quote I mention. Turns out the one that was altered the most was the 1966 version that I had originally read. Can't imagine why such editing would be allowed, but I'm glad to be able to see the original.
Feb 7, 1140am ~~ This is a wonderful book. Nothing really to add to my comments except that the edition I read this time was published in 1989. When I read over my original review and got to my quote in bold, I realized that it was different than the book I had just finished. It did not have quite the same impact.
The edition I read for my original review was published in 1966. But this book was first published in 1943. I found a reasonably priced first edition last night and ordered it. When the book comes I will come back and post both other versions of that quote. I want very much to see what he originally wrote.
Feb 2, 2025, 5pm ~~ The second title in my Saroyan project, this is a reread I have been looking forward to for a long time. Will update when I am through.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review, September 2020
This is my second Saroyan title and all I could think was 'how did I manage to go for so long without reading this man's work?' I first read My Name Is Aram back in 2016 and intended to get more Saroyan books, but in the shuffle of relocating myself from one country to another, reading plans got a little lost.
But I eventually got settled and began to catch up with myself and part of that catching up involved ordering books from my Someday lists, and this was one of the books I ordered.
The Human Comedy tells the story of Homer Macaulay, 14 year old man of the family now that his brother Marcus has gone into the Army to serve the government in WWII. Homer was able to get a job as a telegraph messenger, even though he was two years too young for the job. But something about Homer impressed the station manager, and he took a chance on our young man, which led to the various adventures related in the book. Adventures which make Homer realize that life will never be the same for him again.
Little brother Ulysses, four years old, is actually the one who starts our story. He runs out to wave to the train as it went by. How many of us did that when we were young? Maybe we didn't live close to the tracks, but at some point I'm sure we were all waiting in our family cars waiting for a train to pass. And what was the biggest thrill? Trying to get the train crews to wave at us, of course. Ulysses tries. He waves to the crew, he waves to the passengers he can see in the cars. But no one waves back until the man who is standing on the outside platform of one car. HE waves back and thrills Ulysses all to pieces. It was the greatest thing that had ever happened to him, and they waved at each other until the train disappeared from view. This scene touched my heart and made me terribly fond of Ulysses, who weaved himself in and out of trouble throughout the book.
Homer faces many Life Questions in the book, and the reader wonders along with him why the world is the way it is and what can be done to make it a better place. Homer is a sensitive old soul. He cares about the people in his town, and feels terrible every time he has to deliver one of the dreaded telegrams from the government, those telegrams that basically thank the family for the sacrifice of their son. He has bad dreams about this, and struggles with feeling that he is nothing more than Death's Messenger. But he is, as I said, also the man of the family now and must do what a man must do. How will this affect that sensitive soul of his?
I loved this book. Saroyan writes with joy, his characters are vibrant and completely realistic. I wish everyone could have a history teacher like Miss Hicks, and know a grocer like Mr. Ara. Some people might think that the author put on rose-colored glasses when he wrote about Homer's life and his home town of Ithaca California. Could people anywhere really be that nice? Selective memory, perhaps? The back cover says this book is "gentle, poignant, and richly autobiographical". To me that is the author's power. We all have a choice to make in life. Do we approach it with joy? Or do we give away our strength and suffer our way through our days? Saroyan chose joy. I am so glad he did.
I want to quote a short piece from close to the end of the book. It is a Sunday, and we are riding along in a car with a couple who are out for a drive. We go along the river by the picnic grounds and see that there are five big community picnics taking place. Thomas, who is driving, sees one group and says something that I wish to goodness certain people in our day would remember:
"Americans! Greeks, Serbs, Poles, Russians, Mexicans, Armenians, Germans, Negroes, Swedes, Spaniards, Basques, Portuguese, Italians, Jews, French, English, Scotch, Irish. You name it. That's who we are."
Feb 7, 1140am ~~ This is a wonderful book. Nothing really to add to my comments except that the edition I read this time was published in 1989. When I read over my original review and got to my quote in bold, I realized that it was different than the book I had just finished. It did not have quite the same impact.
The edition I read for my original review was published in 1966. But this book was first published in 1943. I found a reasonably priced first edition last night and ordered it. When the book comes I will come back and post both other versions of that quote. I want very much to see what he originally wrote.
Feb 2, 2025, 5pm ~~ The second title in my Saroyan project, this is a reread I have been looking forward to for a long time. Will update when I am through.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review, September 2020
This is my second Saroyan title and all I could think was 'how did I manage to go for so long without reading this man's work?' I first read My Name Is Aram back in 2016 and intended to get more Saroyan books, but in the shuffle of relocating myself from one country to another, reading plans got a little lost.
But I eventually got settled and began to catch up with myself and part of that catching up involved ordering books from my Someday lists, and this was one of the books I ordered.
The Human Comedy tells the story of Homer Macaulay, 14 year old man of the family now that his brother Marcus has gone into the Army to serve the government in WWII. Homer was able to get a job as a telegraph messenger, even though he was two years too young for the job. But something about Homer impressed the station manager, and he took a chance on our young man, which led to the various adventures related in the book. Adventures which make Homer realize that life will never be the same for him again.
Little brother Ulysses, four years old, is actually the one who starts our story. He runs out to wave to the train as it went by. How many of us did that when we were young? Maybe we didn't live close to the tracks, but at some point I'm sure we were all waiting in our family cars waiting for a train to pass. And what was the biggest thrill? Trying to get the train crews to wave at us, of course. Ulysses tries. He waves to the crew, he waves to the passengers he can see in the cars. But no one waves back until the man who is standing on the outside platform of one car. HE waves back and thrills Ulysses all to pieces. It was the greatest thing that had ever happened to him, and they waved at each other until the train disappeared from view. This scene touched my heart and made me terribly fond of Ulysses, who weaved himself in and out of trouble throughout the book.
Homer faces many Life Questions in the book, and the reader wonders along with him why the world is the way it is and what can be done to make it a better place. Homer is a sensitive old soul. He cares about the people in his town, and feels terrible every time he has to deliver one of the dreaded telegrams from the government, those telegrams that basically thank the family for the sacrifice of their son. He has bad dreams about this, and struggles with feeling that he is nothing more than Death's Messenger. But he is, as I said, also the man of the family now and must do what a man must do. How will this affect that sensitive soul of his?
I loved this book. Saroyan writes with joy, his characters are vibrant and completely realistic. I wish everyone could have a history teacher like Miss Hicks, and know a grocer like Mr. Ara. Some people might think that the author put on rose-colored glasses when he wrote about Homer's life and his home town of Ithaca California. Could people anywhere really be that nice? Selective memory, perhaps? The back cover says this book is "gentle, poignant, and richly autobiographical". To me that is the author's power. We all have a choice to make in life. Do we approach it with joy? Or do we give away our strength and suffer our way through our days? Saroyan chose joy. I am so glad he did.
I want to quote a short piece from close to the end of the book. It is a Sunday, and we are riding along in a car with a couple who are out for a drive. We go along the river by the picnic grounds and see that there are five big community picnics taking place. Thomas, who is driving, sees one group and says something that I wish to goodness certain people in our day would remember:
"Americans! Greeks, Serbs, Poles, Russians, Mexicans, Armenians, Germans, Negroes, Swedes, Spaniards, Basques, Portuguese, Italians, Jews, French, English, Scotch, Irish. You name it. That's who we are."
July 30, 2015
Leyendo este libro he sentido simple y pura felicidad. Hacía mucho tiempo que no tenía este sentimiento leyendo un libro. Mientras lo leía me parecía estar dentro de una de esas viejas películas de Frank Capra. Hay que tener en cuenta que 'La comedia humana' es una novela escrita a principios de los 40, en plena Guerra Mundial, y eso se nota. Lo que me ha recordado a Capra han sido los personajes, su manera de pensar y de sentir, su bondad. Y es que esta novela me ha hecho reconciliarme con el género humano, en que podemos ser mejores de lo que somos. Se trata de un libro vivo, triste, feliz y maravilloso.
La historia transcurre en Ithaca, un pequeño pueblo californiano, y dos de los protagonistas se llaman Homer y Ulysses, como no podía ser menos. Se puede decir que hay un protagonista principal, Homer, aunque la novela es más bien coral, en donde vamos conociendo a algunos de los habitantes de este pueblo. Homer es un joven de 14 años que estudia de día y por la tarde trabaja como mensajero en la compañía de telégrafos. A veces ha de entregar telegramas en los que se comunica la muerte de algún soldado, y ésto lo deja cada vez más triste. Pero no puede dejar este trabajo porque necesita el dinero para su familia, ya que su hermano Marcus está en el frente y su padre falleció. También le gusta el trabajo, así como su jefe, el señor Spangler, y el telegrafista, el viejo señor Groggan. Estos dos personajes son maravillosos. Otro personaje entrañable es Ulysses, su hermano pequeño, un niño que siente curiosidad por todo y que nos ofrece algunos momentos memorables. Toda la novela está plagada de grandes personajes. Otra cosa a reseñar es que Saroyan no permanece ajeno al absurdo de las guerras y lo deja bien claro con su historia.
Al igual que ya no se ruedan películas como las de antes, tampoco se escriben libros con los de antes, como éste.
La historia transcurre en Ithaca, un pequeño pueblo californiano, y dos de los protagonistas se llaman Homer y Ulysses, como no podía ser menos. Se puede decir que hay un protagonista principal, Homer, aunque la novela es más bien coral, en donde vamos conociendo a algunos de los habitantes de este pueblo. Homer es un joven de 14 años que estudia de día y por la tarde trabaja como mensajero en la compañía de telégrafos. A veces ha de entregar telegramas en los que se comunica la muerte de algún soldado, y ésto lo deja cada vez más triste. Pero no puede dejar este trabajo porque necesita el dinero para su familia, ya que su hermano Marcus está en el frente y su padre falleció. También le gusta el trabajo, así como su jefe, el señor Spangler, y el telegrafista, el viejo señor Groggan. Estos dos personajes son maravillosos. Otro personaje entrañable es Ulysses, su hermano pequeño, un niño que siente curiosidad por todo y que nos ofrece algunos momentos memorables. Toda la novela está plagada de grandes personajes. Otra cosa a reseñar es que Saroyan no permanece ajeno al absurdo de las guerras y lo deja bien claro con su historia.
Al igual que ya no se ruedan películas como las de antes, tampoco se escriben libros con los de antes, como éste.
October 16, 2021
Α Ν Θ Ρ Ω Π Ι Ν Η Κ Ω Μ Ω Δ Ι Α / William Saroyan
Η ''Ανθρώπινη Κωμωδία'' διαδραματίζεται στην πόλη της Ίθάκα στην Καλιφόρνια, όπου ο δεκατετράχρονος Όμηρος παρασύρεται στην ενηλικίωση πριν την ώρα του και σε καιρό πολέμου. Αναγκάζεται να πάρει τον ρόλο του άντρα του σπιτιού, γιατί ο μεγάλος του αδερφός, ήδη βρίσκεται στο μέτωπο. 'Έτσι ο κλήρος πέφτει σ' εκείνον, ώστε να βρει μια δουλειά για να βοηθήσει την οικογένεια του. Η δουλειά που βρίσκει είναι σ 'ένα τηλεγραφείο/ταχυδρομείο και πρέπει να παραδίδει τα τηλεγραφήματα της πόλης. Όσο εύκολο φαντάζει, τόσο δύσκολο και σκληρό είναι, όταν πρέπει να παραδίδει τα άσχημα μαντάτα στις οικογένειες των χαμένων στρατιωτών, ενώ ο ίδιος του αδερφός βρίσκεται στο μέτωπο, δυσκολεύει την δουλειά και κυρίως τα συναισθήματα του, με αποτέλεσμα να χάνει κομμάτια της αθωότητας και της ευαισθησίας του.
''Η μοναξιά που νιώθεις προέρχεται από το ότι δεν είσαι πια παιδί. Όμως, ο κόσμος πάντα ήταν γεμάτος από την ίδια μοναξιά''
Στον κόσμο του Saroyan τα μηνύματα είναι πολλά, αλλά εγώ ένιωσα την απειροελάχιστη ελπίδα να ξεπηδά από τις σελίδες της απώλειας, παρόλο που ένιωθα τρομερή δυσκολία τελειώνοντας το. Ταυτίστηκα πολύ με τον ήρωα, είναι τόσο τρυφερή και ευαίσθητη ψυχή, που νοιάζεται για όλους. Δεν μπορεί να νιώσει κακία, κι αν κάποια στιγμή νιώσει, την αποβάλει αμέσως και αυτό είναι που τον ξεχώρισε στα μάτια μου. Πήρα δύναμη από το βιβλίο αυτό, όσο κι αν με συγκίνησε. Μου θύμισε ότι όσο δύσκολο και να είναι κάτι, όσο δύσκολο και να το βιώνουμε, στο τέλος θα βρούμε την δύναμη να το αντιμετωπίσουμε, απλά χρειάζεται χρόνο.
ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΤΟ
Ευχαριστώ τις αγαπημένες Βάσω, Ιουλια, Αννα ,Αντιγόνη για την ανάγνωση και τον σχολιασμό.
Η ''Ανθρώπινη Κωμωδία'' διαδραματίζεται στην πόλη της Ίθάκα στην Καλιφόρνια, όπου ο δεκατετράχρονος Όμηρος παρασύρεται στην ενηλικίωση πριν την ώρα του και σε καιρό πολέμου. Αναγκάζεται να πάρει τον ρόλο του άντρα του σπιτιού, γιατί ο μεγάλος του αδερφός, ήδη βρίσκεται στο μέτωπο. 'Έτσι ο κλήρος πέφτει σ' εκείνον, ώστε να βρει μια δουλειά για να βοηθήσει την οικογένεια του. Η δουλειά που βρίσκει είναι σ 'ένα τηλεγραφείο/ταχυδρομείο και πρέπει να παραδίδει τα τηλεγραφήματα της πόλης. Όσο εύκολο φαντάζει, τόσο δύσκολο και σκληρό είναι, όταν πρέπει να παραδίδει τα άσχημα μαντάτα στις οικογένειες των χαμένων στρατιωτών, ενώ ο ίδιος του αδερφός βρίσκεται στο μέτωπο, δυσκολεύει την δουλειά και κυρίως τα συναισθήματα του, με αποτέλεσμα να χάνει κομμάτια της αθωότητας και της ευαισθησίας του.
''Η μοναξιά που νιώθεις προέρχεται από το ότι δεν είσαι πια παιδί. Όμως, ο κόσμος πάντα ήταν γεμάτος από την ίδια μοναξιά''
Στον κόσμο του Saroyan τα μηνύματα είναι πολλά, αλλά εγώ ένιωσα την απειροελάχιστη ελπίδα να ξεπηδά από τις σελίδες της απώλειας, παρόλο που ένιωθα τρομερή δυσκολία τελειώνοντας το. Ταυτίστηκα πολύ με τον ήρωα, είναι τόσο τρυφερή και ευαίσθητη ψυχή, που νοιάζεται για όλους. Δεν μπορεί να νιώσει κακία, κι αν κάποια στιγμή νιώσει, την αποβάλει αμέσως και αυτό είναι που τον ξεχώρισε στα μάτια μου. Πήρα δύναμη από το βιβλίο αυτό, όσο κι αν με συγκίνησε. Μου θύμισε ότι όσο δύσκολο και να είναι κάτι, όσο δύσκολο και να το βιώνουμε, στο τέλος θα βρούμε την δύναμη να το αντιμετωπίσουμε, απλά χρειάζεται χρόνο.
ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΤΟ
Ευχαριστώ τις αγαπημένες Βάσω, Ιουλια, Αννα ,Αντιγόνη για την ανάγνωση και τον σχολιασμό.
November 5, 2025
İnsanlık Komedisi, II. Dünya Savaşı sırasında Kaliforniya’nın Ithaca kasabasında, 14 yaşındaki telgraf dağıtıcısı Homer ve ailesini merkeze koyan bir roman. Tüm kasaba telgrafhane sayesinde metne dahil oluyor ve küçük hayatların “büyük” dramlarını anlatıyor bize yazar. Metinde insan olmaya, mutluluğa, hayata dair ufak bir sürü detay var. Hepsi de birbirini besleyen bu detaylar romanın epizodik yapısıyla da çok güzel örtüşüyor. Mizahın da dramın da dozu gayet iyi ayarlanmış. Okuyucunda buruk bir tat bırakması da bu yüzden. Bana Sait Faik okurken hissettiklerimi hissettirdi. Çok beğendim. Yazarın diğer kitaplarına da muhakkak bakacağım.
June 22, 2016
Գրականության շուրջ տարբեր տեսակի և տարբեր մարդկանց հետ զրույցների ժամանակ, նկատել էի, որ մի քանիսը վստահությամբ նշում էին, որ իմ սիրած գրողը հաստատ Սարոյանը պիտի լինի, սիրած գիրքս էլ հենց էս մեկը: Ընկերս` Մարկուսը, ով հույս ունեմ հեռու կլինի բոլոր տեսակի պատերազմներից, միշտ ասում էր. « էնքան դու ես, էնքան քոնն ա»: Ու քանի որ ամենը, հիմնականում, սա կարդում են դպրոցական տարիներին, զարմանում էին, որ չեմ կարդացել:
Հիմա հասկանում եմ, որ հրաշալի է, որ ոչ ուսուցչի, ոչ դասախոսի ոչ էլ ինչ որ մեկի խորհրդով չեմ կարդացել, այլ որովհետև ինչ-որ կերպ հասկացել եմ, որ ժամանակն է:
Դեռ ամբողջովին չեմ հասկանում, թե որքանով էին ինձ տեսնում գրքի մեջ, ու ես իրենց կարծիքով Հոմերն էի, Յուլիսեսը, թե բոլորովին այլ հերոս, բայց վստահաբար կարող եմ ասել, որ Սարոյանն էն գրողն է, ում շնորհիվ, ում միջոցով ում համար լուսավորվում ես, ավելի բարի ես դառնում, ավելի շատ ես սիրում և ձգտում ես էլ ավելի սիրելուն, մարդկանց ես սիրում ու կարևոր չի փոխադարձ կլինի,թե չէ: Ուղղակի պետք ա սիրել բոլորին ու ամեն ինչ սիրել,կամ փորձել անգամ չսիրելիներին սեր փոխանցել, բարի լինել, ինչքան էլ, որ անհնար ու անհավանական թվա:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bSsm...
Հիմա հասկանում եմ, որ հրաշալի է, որ ոչ ուսուցչի, ոչ դասախոսի ոչ էլ ինչ որ մեկի խորհրդով չեմ կարդացել, այլ որովհետև ինչ-որ կերպ հասկացել եմ, որ ժամանակն է:
Դեռ ամբողջովին չեմ հասկանում, թե որքանով էին ինձ տեսնում գրքի մեջ, ու ես իրենց կարծիքով Հոմերն էի, Յուլիսեսը, թե բոլորովին այլ հերոս, բայց վստահաբար կարող եմ ասել, որ Սարոյանն էն գրողն է, ում շնորհիվ, ում միջոցով ում համար լուսավորվում ես, ավելի բարի ես դառնում, ավելի շատ ես սիրում և ձգտում ես էլ ավելի սիրելուն, մարդկանց ես սիրում ու կարևոր չի փոխադարձ կլինի,թե չէ: Ուղղակի պետք ա սիրել բոլորին ու ամեն ինչ սիրել,կամ փորձել անգամ չսիրելիներին սեր փոխանցել, բարի լինել, ինչքան էլ, որ անհնար ու անհավանական թվա:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bSsm...
February 12, 2016
I had been meaning to read The Human Comedy for years and finally got around to it - glad I did. This was Saroyan's first novel written in 1943. William Saroyan dropped out of school in the 8th grade and worked as a telegram messenger. He used this experience for his main character's job and age. If this book were a painting it would be a Normal Rockwell. It set in a small California town in the Great Central Valley during WWII, with everyone living in a very godly manner. Hi characters are more than ordinary people; they are ordinary saints.
If I had any criticism of the story, it was for Saroyan's inability to fully express how painful death is for the ones left behind. But he was only 35 when he wrote it.
I would like to read a biography about Saroyan. He sounds interesting. He turned down the Pulitzer Prize for The Time of Your Life and later became a compulsive gambler, according to the book jacket.
If I had any criticism of the story, it was for Saroyan's inability to fully express how painful death is for the ones left behind. But he was only 35 when he wrote it.
I would like to read a biography about Saroyan. He sounds interesting. He turned down the Pulitzer Prize for The Time of Your Life and later became a compulsive gambler, according to the book jacket.
June 13, 2021
«Ανθρώπινη κωμωδία»
Τι γλυκόπικρο βιβλίο ! Διαβάζοντάς το νιώθεις όμορφα συναισθήματα κ ταυτόχρονα μια θλίψη κ έναν πόνο.
Η φιλία, η αγάπη , η αλληλεγγύη, η φροντίδα κυριαρχούν σε κάθε γραμμή. Η αλήθεια των λόγων και των γεγονότων σου σκίζουν την ψυχή κ το μυαλό.
Απο τη μια πλευρά έχουμε τις επιστολές θανάτου και από την άλλη την αέναη προσπάθεια του ανθρώπου για επιβίωση. Η αυτοθυσία κ η πραγματική αγάπη που σπανίζουν σε κάθε κοινωνία κ εποχή.
Υποσχέσεις που τηρούνται κ φέρνουν κοντά τους ανθρώπους!
Είναι κάποια αναγνώσματα που τελειώνοντάς τα νιώθεις αναγνωστική ευτυχία και πληρότητα για όλα τα συναισθήματα που σου προκαλούν !
Τι γλυκόπικρο βιβλίο ! Διαβάζοντάς το νιώθεις όμορφα συναισθήματα κ ταυτόχρονα μια θλίψη κ έναν πόνο.
Η φιλία, η αγάπη , η αλληλεγγύη, η φροντίδα κυριαρχούν σε κάθε γραμμή. Η αλήθεια των λόγων και των γεγονότων σου σκίζουν την ψυχή κ το μυαλό.
Απο τη μια πλευρά έχουμε τις επιστολές θανάτου και από την άλλη την αέναη προσπάθεια του ανθρώπου για επιβίωση. Η αυτοθυσία κ η πραγματική αγάπη που σπανίζουν σε κάθε κοινωνία κ εποχή.
Υποσχέσεις που τηρούνται κ φέρνουν κοντά τους ανθρώπους!
Είναι κάποια αναγνώσματα που τελειώνοντάς τα νιώθεις αναγνωστική ευτυχία και πληρότητα για όλα τα συναισθήματα που σου προκαλούν !
May 17, 2021
Esta novela, La comedia humana, ambientada en la mítica Ítaca, California, en los días primeros de la Segunda Guerra mundial, del escritor William Saroyan, nos cuenta la desigual vida de una familia, los Macauley, sometida a la paupérrima crisis que la guerra había ultrajado a toda la familia. Un texto que comienza con el correteo de un niño de nueve años, Ulysses Macauley, quien viendo las hileras del tren se entrega en saludos, en adioses a todos lo que iban en el mismo, algunos ignorándolo, menos uno, un negro, a cual lo escucho cantar y se devolvieron saludos.
Una familia pobre, sin la presencia del padre, Matthew, un hermano mayor, Marcus, inscrito en el ejercito, una madre, Katie, que trabaja en la planta de embalaje, la hermana Mary que van a la universidad, pero de todo los hermanos, quien tiene mayor protagonismo es Homer Macauley, quien con 16 años, es el mensajero de telégrafos, aunque en realidad no tenia 16, sino 14 años, es el que hace frente a las necesidades. Ahora, mientras Ulysses se asoma al tren, Homer se asoma a ver las hileras de camiones del ejercito.
“La escuela solamente sirve para evitar que los niños estén en la calle, pero tarde o temprano tienen que salir al mundo real, les guste o no. Es natural que a los padres y a las madres les dé miedo que sus hijos salgan al mundo, pero no hay de qué tener miedo. El mundo está lleno de criaturas asustadas. Y como están asustadas, se asustan entre ellas. Intenta entender —continuó—. Intenta amar a todo el mundo que te encuentres. Yo estaré esperándote en este salón todas las noches. Pero no hace falta que entres y hables conmigo a menos que necesites hacerlo. Yo lo entenderé. ”
Un texto que a luz de lo que narra, dicta libremente la vida misma del autor, quien creció en California sin padre con su madre y hermanos, haciéndose desarrollar referencias al antiguo poeta griego Homero, y quien en su novela será el principal protagonista, mientras que el hermano menor se llama Ulises. Desplegando el estado de animo, las emociones humanas y la introspección de sus personajes, vienen a ser los rasgos distintivo de toda la trama. Un Homero, que a través de su trabajo va adquiriendo experiencia sobre la condición humana, siendo mensajero, le toca llevar cartas no con tan buenas noticias sobre la muerte y la perdida. En cuanto a Ulises, lo ordinario de la vida, la inocencia, la presencia de la alegría en las pequeñas cosas lo llevan a ir llevando de un lugar a otro en el pequeño pueblo.
En lo personal debo decir que de entrada es una novela que te promete mantenerte amarrado a lo narrado, donde la ternura del primer capitulo, te hace cree que vale la pena continuar, pues a lo largo de toda la novela la narración te va presentando la soledad de sus personajes, las luchas que deben enfrentar, la crisis económica, la incertidumbre sobre la guerra, la incertidumbre en la esperanza de un hermano que esta en guerra, una hermana que vienen a ser una mas de los números de las estadísticas de desempleo, a todas estas vicisitudes la fe cristiana viene a ser el remedio para la soledad. Con todo esto creo, que acabo de decir, nos parece genial, pero creo que el texto se nos va perdiendo a lo largo del mismo, no vas mas allá de presentarnos a los personajes en su soledad, en su inocencia, de creí ver historia que se podría sacar grandes partida, pero solo se quedaban en la entrega de una carta.
Una familia pobre, sin la presencia del padre, Matthew, un hermano mayor, Marcus, inscrito en el ejercito, una madre, Katie, que trabaja en la planta de embalaje, la hermana Mary que van a la universidad, pero de todo los hermanos, quien tiene mayor protagonismo es Homer Macauley, quien con 16 años, es el mensajero de telégrafos, aunque en realidad no tenia 16, sino 14 años, es el que hace frente a las necesidades. Ahora, mientras Ulysses se asoma al tren, Homer se asoma a ver las hileras de camiones del ejercito.
“La escuela solamente sirve para evitar que los niños estén en la calle, pero tarde o temprano tienen que salir al mundo real, les guste o no. Es natural que a los padres y a las madres les dé miedo que sus hijos salgan al mundo, pero no hay de qué tener miedo. El mundo está lleno de criaturas asustadas. Y como están asustadas, se asustan entre ellas. Intenta entender —continuó—. Intenta amar a todo el mundo que te encuentres. Yo estaré esperándote en este salón todas las noches. Pero no hace falta que entres y hables conmigo a menos que necesites hacerlo. Yo lo entenderé. ”
Un texto que a luz de lo que narra, dicta libremente la vida misma del autor, quien creció en California sin padre con su madre y hermanos, haciéndose desarrollar referencias al antiguo poeta griego Homero, y quien en su novela será el principal protagonista, mientras que el hermano menor se llama Ulises. Desplegando el estado de animo, las emociones humanas y la introspección de sus personajes, vienen a ser los rasgos distintivo de toda la trama. Un Homero, que a través de su trabajo va adquiriendo experiencia sobre la condición humana, siendo mensajero, le toca llevar cartas no con tan buenas noticias sobre la muerte y la perdida. En cuanto a Ulises, lo ordinario de la vida, la inocencia, la presencia de la alegría en las pequeñas cosas lo llevan a ir llevando de un lugar a otro en el pequeño pueblo.
En lo personal debo decir que de entrada es una novela que te promete mantenerte amarrado a lo narrado, donde la ternura del primer capitulo, te hace cree que vale la pena continuar, pues a lo largo de toda la novela la narración te va presentando la soledad de sus personajes, las luchas que deben enfrentar, la crisis económica, la incertidumbre sobre la guerra, la incertidumbre en la esperanza de un hermano que esta en guerra, una hermana que vienen a ser una mas de los números de las estadísticas de desempleo, a todas estas vicisitudes la fe cristiana viene a ser el remedio para la soledad. Con todo esto creo, que acabo de decir, nos parece genial, pero creo que el texto se nos va perdiendo a lo largo del mismo, no vas mas allá de presentarnos a los personajes en su soledad, en su inocencia, de creí ver historia que se podría sacar grandes partida, pero solo se quedaban en la entrega de una carta.
December 29, 2014
Un romanzo che dà speranza, che diffonde ottimismo. Fa bene al cuore leggerlo, commuoversi, sorridere e piangere con i protagonisti del piccolo (di pagine) ma grande (di umanità) romanzo di Saroyan. Ad Ithaca, California, ci sono belle persone, famiglie che affrontano con il sorriso sulle labbra le difficoltà economiche dovute alla guerra mondiale che, nel 1942, è in pieno svolgimento; c’è il signor Spangler, direttore dell’ufficio postale, che con poche buone parole blocca il ladruncolo deciso a rubare per disperazione l’incasso della giornata; c’è il semplice signor Ara, un armeno che ha aperto un negozio di alimentari, il quale tristemente spiega al figlioletto come l’umanità sia sempre scontenta di quello che ha; c’è la professoressa Hicks, che insegna ai suoi alunni che sono persone uguali ma felicemente diverse per inclinazioni interiori; ci sono Homer e Ulysses Macauley, due fratelli rimasti orfani di padre, il primo è diventato anche il responsabile della famiglia da quando suo fratello maggiore Marcus è partito militare: Homer ha quattordici anni, si sente il peso della famiglia sulle spalle, è costretto a studiare e lavorare per mantenerla, diventa postino e con la sua bicicletta attraversa le strade di Ithaca per consegnare telegrammi; Ulysses, quattro anni, è un bambino stupefacente, silenzioso osservatore del mondo intorno a lui che non riesce sempre a comprendere, ma comunque è un bel mondo, divertente, in cui buttarsi a capofitto saltando di gioia. Ecco, ad Ithaca c’è entusiasmo, c’è la vita semplice di persone che non si piangono addosso, che si aiutano l’uno con l’altro, che affrontano le intemperie dell’esistenza senza disperarsi e abbattersi, ma reagendo al dolore stringendosi tra loro: “un uomo che non prova pietà non è un uomo”. Secondo me non è una visione semplicemente buonistica del mondo quella di Saroyan, è un consiglio a riflettere sul fatto che i semplici valori della vita sono una ricchezza da custodire.
May 10, 2022
Книга привлекла внимание схожестью названия с Бальзаковским циклом, но ничего общего, конечно, нет. Кроме того, привлекло то, что автор – лауреат Пулитцеровской премии. Я думаю, что эту книгу можно смело отнести к разряду литературы для детей и юношества, при таком довольно взрослом названии. Все признаки детской литературы налицо: большой воспитательный смысл, поучительные истории с моралью, в целом, несмотря на протекание событий во время Второй мировой войны, атмосфера светлая с налетом грусти, легкий стиль изложения, ну и главные герои – это дети и подростки. Это роман взросления, главному герою Гомеру пришлось начать работать в 14 лет и стать кормильцем семьи, поскольку отце и брат ушли на фронт. В книге есть довольно много странностей, ребенок работает, кормит семью, а мать и старшие сестры сидят дома, поют псалмы. Также странно, что четырехлетний братик Улисс бродит без присмотра по городу, попадая в бесчисленные переделки. Четырехлетнего малыша отправляют в лавку купить крупу. Мне нравится читать детские книги, которые пропустили в детстве.
September 1, 2019
این کتاب رو صوتی گوش دادم،و چقدر عالی بود.
من راحت گریه ام نمیگیره، ولی فکر میکنم کتابی که اشکم رو دربیاره لایق امتیاز پنجه.
داستان خانواده ای گرم و متحد، که پدر را از دست داده اند و برادر بزرگتر به جنگ رفته... روابط زیبای بین اعضای خانواده و مادر که چگونه غم هایش رو گوشه ی آشپزخانه پنهان میکند مبادا خمی به ابروی فرزندان بیفتد...
روند ساده و صمیمی داستان برام بسیار لذت بخش بود، و جملاتی که بین افراد رد و بدل میشد.
نامه ی پسر بزرگ خانواده از میدان جنگ، یکی از زیباترین قسمتهای کتاب بود. (من وطن پرست نیستم، اما وطنم را دوست دارم...
امیدوارم بخوانید و لذت ببرید.
من راحت گریه ام نمیگیره، ولی فکر میکنم کتابی که اشکم رو دربیاره لایق امتیاز پنجه.
داستان خانواده ای گرم و متحد، که پدر را از دست داده اند و برادر بزرگتر به جنگ رفته... روابط زیبای بین اعضای خانواده و مادر که چگونه غم هایش رو گوشه ی آشپزخانه پنهان میکند مبادا خمی به ابروی فرزندان بیفتد...
روند ساده و صمیمی داستان برام بسیار لذت بخش بود، و جملاتی که بین افراد رد و بدل میشد.
نامه ی پسر بزرگ خانواده از میدان جنگ، یکی از زیباترین قسمتهای کتاب بود. (من وطن پرست نیستم، اما وطنم را دوست دارم...
امیدوارم بخوانید و لذت ببرید.
October 22, 2021
Πρόκειται για ένα πολύ τρυφερό, ώρες ώρες γλυκερό μυθιστόρημα, λίγο παλιομοδίτικο, που μέσα από τα αθώα μάτια παιδιών αντακλάται ο πόλεμος, η πείνα και η μεταναστευση. Διαβάζεται απνευστί και δεν φέρει ιδαίτερες λογοτεχνικές φιοριτούρες. Απλό και κλασικό.
July 23, 2016
For some reason, I had always avoided reading he work of William Saroyan, but for some reason I picked up a copy of The Human Comedy at the local library and read it. I was enchanted by the author's vision of a small agricultural town in which the local residents are, for the most part, decent human beings who are kind to one another.
At the center are the two Macauley boys, Homer and Ulysses (the name of the town is Ithaca), their family and friends. The father had died before the story begins, and the older brother is off to fight in World War Two.
I have never before seen in literature such a world of wish fulfillment. Yet it is never sappy. The world of Ithaca is surrounded by the same dark clouds that surround all of us, and Saroyan never Disneyfies his work.
At the center are the two Macauley boys, Homer and Ulysses (the name of the town is Ithaca), their family and friends. The father had died before the story begins, and the older brother is off to fight in World War Two.
I have never before seen in literature such a world of wish fulfillment. Yet it is never sappy. The world of Ithaca is surrounded by the same dark clouds that surround all of us, and Saroyan never Disneyfies his work.
February 14, 2016
Yalın bir dille (saroyanesque) yazılmış duygu dolu, savaş karşıtı ''insan''ca bir roman İnsanlık Komedisi.
Kitabın en keyifli yerleri dört yaşındaki tatlılar tatlısı Ulysses'in başından geçenler ve diyaloglarıydı. Sırf Ulysses için bile tekrar tekrar okunabilir bu kitap:
"Homer, Santa Clara Caddesi'ndeki evde rüya görürken, küçük kardeşi Ulysses yatağının başına gelmiş onu dinliyordu. Karanlık evde yolunu bularak annesinin odasına gitti doğruca. Sarsarak uyandırdı onu. Annesi yatakta doğrulunca, elinden tutarak hiçbir şey söylemeden Homer'ın yatağına götürdü."
Kitabın en keyifli yerleri dört yaşındaki tatlılar tatlısı Ulysses'in başından geçenler ve diyaloglarıydı. Sırf Ulysses için bile tekrar tekrar okunabilir bu kitap:
"Homer, Santa Clara Caddesi'ndeki evde rüya görürken, küçük kardeşi Ulysses yatağının başına gelmiş onu dinliyordu. Karanlık evde yolunu bularak annesinin odasına gitti doğruca. Sarsarak uyandırdı onu. Annesi yatakta doğrulunca, elinden tutarak hiçbir şey söylemeden Homer'ın yatağına götürdü."
May 16, 2015
Բարի, բարի Սարոյան... Սարոյանը վարպետ է նկարագրությունների՝ առաջին հերթին՝ բարության։ Օգնո՞ւմ է դա ապրել։ Չգիտեմ, երևի օգնել է իրեն։ Հիմա պիտի կարդալ, ու հետո, ու հետո, ավելի շուտ՝ օգուտ չի տա, չնայած աղջիկս տեսնեմ ինչ տպավորություններով կվերջացնի գիրքը ։) Էլեկտրոնայինը, էլի Յավրուհրատից ու թող ներվի Սարոյանի կողմից։
September 2, 2022
حکایتی از جنگ، روابط انسانی، بُعد معنوی دنیا و وجود آدمی
قلمی خوش خوان و بشدت پیشنهاد میکنم به نوجوانایی ک اطرافتون میشناسید معرفی کنید و صدالبته که کتابیه ک بزرگسالان هم ارتباط خوبی باهاش خواهند گرفت...
قلمی خوش خوان و بشدت پیشنهاد میکنم به نوجوانایی ک اطرافتون میشناسید معرفی کنید و صدالبته که کتابیه ک بزرگسالان هم ارتباط خوبی باهاش خواهند گرفت...
December 30, 2023
una piuma che accarezza il cuore
June 8, 2022
Βαθμολογία: 9/10
Δεύτερο βιβλίο του Γουίλιαμ Σαρόγιαν που διαβάζω, μετά το πολύ ωραίο και ευχάριστο "Με λένε Αράμ" που διάβασα το 2016, και δεν μπορώ παρά να δηλώσω μαγεμένος και γοητευμένος. Ο συγγραφέας με την ιστορία του και ιδιαίτερα με τον τρόπο γραφής του κατάφερε να μου δημιουργήσει ποικίλα συναισθήματα, με έκανε να νοσταλγήσω μια εποχή που δεν έζησα και ένα μέρος που ποτέ δεν έχω επισκεφτεί, με έκανε να νιώσω ωραία αλλά σε κάποια σημεία με στεναχώρησε κιόλας, τέλος πάντων, ήταν ένα βιβλίο που απόλαυσα από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος, και που δεν ήθελα με τίποτα να τελειώσει. Αλλά, βέβαια, όπως καθετί ωραίο κάποια στιγμή τελειώνει, και αυτό ήταν όλο. Είναι ένα αρκετά τρυφερό, ίσως λιγάκι γλυκερό και παλιομοδίτικο, αλλά οπωσδήποτε καλογραμμένο, γλυκόπικρο και όμορφο μυθιστόρημα, με ολοζώνταντους χαρακτήρες και κάμποσες σκέψεις για τη ζωή και τον θάνατο, που πιστεύω ότι θα αγγίξει με τον έναν ή τον άλλο τρόπο τους περισσότερους αναγνώστες. Εγώ, πάλι, χάρηκα πολύ που το διάβασα, αλλά στεναχωρήθηκα κιόλας που τελείωσε τόσο γρήγορα. Αλλά, εντάξει, καλά να είμαστε και κάποια στιγμή σίγουρα θα το ξαναδιαβάσω.
Δεύτερο βιβλίο του Γουίλιαμ Σαρόγιαν που διαβάζω, μετά το πολύ ωραίο και ευχάριστο "Με λένε Αράμ" που διάβασα το 2016, και δεν μπορώ παρά να δηλώσω μαγεμένος και γοητευμένος. Ο συγγραφέας με την ιστορία του και ιδιαίτερα με τον τρόπο γραφής του κατάφερε να μου δημιουργήσει ποικίλα συναισθήματα, με έκανε να νοσταλγήσω μια εποχή που δεν έζησα και ένα μέρος που ποτέ δεν έχω επισκεφτεί, με έκανε να νιώσω ωραία αλλά σε κάποια σημεία με στεναχώρησε κιόλας, τέλος πάντων, ήταν ένα βιβλίο που απόλαυσα από την αρχή μέχρι το τέλος, και που δεν ήθελα με τίποτα να τελειώσει. Αλλά, βέβαια, όπως καθετί ωραίο κάποια στιγμή τελειώνει, και αυτό ήταν όλο. Είναι ένα αρκετά τρυφερό, ίσως λιγάκι γλυκερό και παλιομοδίτικο, αλλά οπωσδήποτε καλογραμμένο, γλυκόπικρο και όμορφο μυθιστόρημα, με ολοζώνταντους χαρακτήρες και κάμποσες σκέψεις για τη ζωή και τον θάνατο, που πιστεύω ότι θα αγγίξει με τον έναν ή τον άλλο τρόπο τους περισσότερους αναγνώστες. Εγώ, πάλι, χάρηκα πολύ που το διάβασα, αλλά στεναχωρήθηκα κιόλας που τελείωσε τόσο γρήγορα. Αλλά, εντάξει, καλά να είμαστε και κάποια στιγμή σίγουρα θα το ξαναδιαβάσω.
December 2, 2024
Many a reader has called this little novel a heartbreaker, largely because of its final chapter. But for me, it was a heartbreaker for another reason entirely. William Saroyan portrays an America that perhaps once existed, at least in the hearts and minds and hopes and dreams of so many; a vision of America that was famously expressed by Emma Lazarus and inscribed on the pedestal of Lady Liberty.
Whether that idealized place ever truly existed or not is not the point; what matters is that it lived in the aspirations and values of many—and that those many strove to make it so.
But even that vision is now but a fading memory, obliterated by hatred of “the other”.
And that’s why this little book is a heartbreaker.
Whether that idealized place ever truly existed or not is not the point; what matters is that it lived in the aspirations and values of many—and that those many strove to make it so.
But even that vision is now but a fading memory, obliterated by hatred of “the other”.
And that’s why this little book is a heartbreaker.
May 20, 2012
I read this in high school, back in the Seventies, and it had such a profound impact. I read it every three or four year
While the story develops through deceptively simple. vignettes, Saroyan writes poignantly about war, family,love, social class, and death. The characters are richly drawn, through their thoughts and interactions. Scenes and images are so touching and vividly that they remain long after you finish the book.
Just a bit of literary linking: I definitely see traces of Saroyan's style in later writers like Vonnegut. "Human Comedy" is one of those classics that grows increasingly obscure and deserves to be considered classic Amercan lit.
While the story develops through deceptively simple. vignettes, Saroyan writes poignantly about war, family,love, social class, and death. The characters are richly drawn, through their thoughts and interactions. Scenes and images are so touching and vividly that they remain long after you finish the book.
Just a bit of literary linking: I definitely see traces of Saroyan's style in later writers like Vonnegut. "Human Comedy" is one of those classics that grows increasingly obscure and deserves to be considered classic Amercan lit.
December 26, 2019
شاید کتاب بیشتر مناسب نوجوانان باشد ولی با این حال خواندنش خالی از لطف نبود.
سبک نوشتار کتاب یادآور آثار همینگوی است. ویلیام سارویان به گمانم در آفرینش نام شخصیت های داستانش تا حد زیادی تحت تاثیر اودیسه هومر است. یولیسس و هومر و...! شاید هم در تقابل با کمدی الهی دانته نام اثر را کمدی انسانی می گذارد؛ و یا اثر بالزاک اما به نظرم تراژدی غم انگیزی بود از جنگ و مصائبش...تقابل مرگ و زندگی؛ اشک و لبخند... شخصیت هومر را دوست داشتم. چون نوجوانی بود که هم مسول بود و هم بنابر مقتضیات سنش گاهی شیطان و حسود و...! سارویان شخصیت هومر را کاملا طبیعی به نمایش می گذارد.
سبک نوشتار کتاب یادآور آثار همینگوی است. ویلیام سارویان به گمانم در آفرینش نام شخصیت های داستانش تا حد زیادی تحت تاثیر اودیسه هومر است. یولیسس و هومر و...! شاید هم در تقابل با کمدی الهی دانته نام اثر را کمدی انسانی می گذارد؛ و یا اثر بالزاک اما به نظرم تراژدی غم انگیزی بود از جنگ و مصائبش...تقابل مرگ و زندگی؛ اشک و لبخند... شخصیت هومر را دوست داشتم. چون نوجوانی بود که هم مسول بود و هم بنابر مقتضیات سنش گاهی شیطان و حسود و...! سارویان شخصیت هومر را کاملا طبیعی به نمایش می گذارد.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 729 reviews