Faithful are the wounds

by May Sarton

Faithful are the Wounds by Sarton, Mary. 8vo. 1st ptg.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literature, Campus

281 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

May Sarton was born on May 3, 1912, in Wondelgem, Belgium, and grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her first volume of poetry, Encounters in April, was published in 1937 and her first novel, The Single Hound, in 1938. An accomplished memoirist, Sarton boldly came out as a lesbian in her 1965 book Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing. Her later memoir, Journal of a Solitude, was an account of her experiences as a female artist. Sarton died in York, Maine, on July 16, 1995.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up to now, I have read only Sarton's poetry and one of her journals--and admired them all. This is my first experience of her fiction and, as such, I have no idea if it her typical prose style, or if, indeed, she has a "typical" style. All I know is my response to this story, a response which has actually increased as I've become further removed from the reading. In fact, as I write, I feel compelled to capture my thoughts on this book and its characters.

This is a powerful story, set in 1949, after the terrible world war has ended but the world is learning to live with terrible new realities and a new era of global politics and incipient witch hunts. It's the personal and the political; the individual and the group; the university and the town; the progressives, the liberals and the Not.

And there is the attempt of some individuals to see each other beyond or behind or in spite their labels. All of this caused by the unexpected suicide of a central character in the opening moments of the novel.

One amazing aspect of this sixty year old novel (first published in 1955) being republished now, is its immediacy, the currency of its themes. The attacks on knowledge and the other continue. Wedges in society continue with the strategic use of planted doubts.

Initially I found the prose somewhat stylized, overly formal. Then, as I read on, this sense seemed to fall away as I experienced these people and found that this style in many ways encapsulated their lives. There are other sections that reflect Sarton's poetic sense in beautiful descriptive imagery.

As I have been completing this review I have decided that I will increase my rating to 5*. It only seems right for any book that has affected me so.

Definitely recommended.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faithful are the wounds is an academic novel, that is it has an academic setting (Harvard University) and many of the characters are academics. It is, however, much more than that for it demonstrates the impact of death on personal relationships and presents the difficulties of maintaining one's political and ethical principles.

The novel deals with an intellectual abstraction- the forfeit of liberal courage and conviction- in civilized terms and through the medium of the suicide of Edward Cavan, a Harvard Professor and a militant idealist. Edward is an intense man in his views and preoccupations. He leads an intensely lonely and remote life, following a pattern set in a childhood of rejection.
One of the best aspects of the novel for this reader was the way that Edward's character was presented through the vignettes of the impressions he made on the people around him. In a very realistic way these vignettes are not about incidents where Edward's thoughts and actions are necessarily understood, but they gradually provide a picture of the man about whom we learn in the prologue on page three that Edward Cavan "threw himself under an elevated train".

The narrative that follows presents Edward as seen through the eyes of a few of his friends and relatives just before and after his death: his friend, Damon, who had retracted on the principle at the foundation of civil liberties in the fear of the Communist label, which was in a sense to Edward a personal betrayal; his sister Isabel, who had never understood his alienation from her- and their family; a student, a great scholar, and an old friend- the daughter of a former Harvard dean. But his influence lives on in action as well as memory as a few years later, when academic as well as civil freedom is threatened by a Committee hearing- Damon stands up and defends the concept for which Edward had died.... This is a thoughtful rather than forceful perspective of individuals and issues.

The overall effect is to present a man who was respected and loved in spite of his remoteness. It goes beyond that to demonstrate the impact one man can have on the lives of those around him when they are faced with the presence of his death and consider what that presence means to them.

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Oh he was just a living wound at the end." Beautiful.

Being branded a communist during a time when they were hunted down, having your ideas seen as radical, friends turning from you- must have been terrifying. Chosing the wrong side, seeing your friends who once agreed with you surrending, such is politics regardless of the year on our calendars. While this story was written in time when people were nervous and suspicious (not much different than now really), all the reader needs to do is subtract communism and insert anything else that goes against what is currently 'right' and you can easily dive into this story. It is about intellectuals at Harvard (but let's not forget Edward's sister, more like the average person) and there is something for us all. What happens when ideas and passionate convictions alienate you, and is Edward's intellect to blame or his troubled relationship with his father during his childhood? The strain between Edward and his sister Isabel was vital to me understanding the sort of person he was, in the things he rejected about her life. Eye opening sentence when Isabel meets his Harvard 'family' upon his suicide. "But they all wore some mark in common, the mark, she supposed, of intellectual people; they looked as if they needed sleep and fresh air." That must be the best description I have read thus far about intellectuals, endearing me to them somehow. Each character is beautifully fleshy and alive- Grace 'the tough old bird' is the bark and the bite. "Weakness of any sort upset her and she reacted, quite unconsciously, by being cruel." Fosca is the father, the man who guides and keeps one grounded. There are so many Edwards, a different sort of man to each of those left behind by his shocking suicide- much as well all are different people to those we know. As a reader you want so badly to pull Edward out of himself, something no one could manage in the story. To be so passionate that it eats you alive, to lose yourself so deeply that one is unable to communicate, and what more do people want than to be understood? In his student George, with his bottomless hunger to know everything outside of him, he is a father figure but one asks, is he too revealing to his students, making himself too human? I had never heard of May Sarton, and it's my loss. She gently dissects her characters so they become more than just a 'type'. There aren't villains or heroes, just human beings who wear different faces depending on the day.

[Eric Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every decade or so I come back to this story. It moves me greatly because I can relate to several of the characters. May Sarton wrote many wonderful stories, but this one chills me, and was quite brave, particularly when considering the time in which it was written. Sarton has a turn of phrase that illuminates human emotion and motivation very few writers can achieve. This story, taken along with The Bridge of Years have spoiled me for lesser writers I'm afraid.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her writing: calm, cultured, and sensitive. I always feel in charmed space while reading her.

I enjoyed reading May Sarton’s “Faithful the Wounds”…as there’s something so restful and calming about reading her despite her expressed anxieties (thank you catharsis)— having an old school exterior feel yet connecting to a modern inner center. The political turmoil in this book of the 1950s left/right - illuminates our own chaotic times.

[Claudia Douris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is it that most are not even aware of who May Sarton is.....her writing is brilliant..... "you must learn to read with the whole of yourself;you must bring love as well as intellect to this kind of analysis- just as in personal relationships. After all, a really fruitful reading of an author of this stature means giving up yourselves for a time, means being able to encompass something wholly by imaginative sympathy. These are not mere intellectual matters." Indeed this book was sad and filled with grief and struggle, but did tug at my heart....written in 1954 it speaks of the human condition which continues to be in conflict with itself today and always...........a powerful dramatization of the plight of the embattled American liberal in the 1950's...set in the academic world of Harvard and Cambridge................a safe cocoon for many....

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

May Sarton’s novel of ideas is set in the academic world of Harvard and portrays the life of a group of American liberals in the 1950s. The main character is a brilliant Professor of English, a man dedicated to his friends, students and ideals. His uncompromising views lead to his suicide and it is the effect of that suicide on those closest to him that Sarton explores in her book. It’s a thoughtful book and the way that Cavan’s idealism gives his colleagues the courage to stand up for the cause of civil and intellectual freedom when faced with the repressive anti-Communist views prevalent at the time is carefully delineated. But overall I found the book lifeless and the characters were not well-rounded or sympathetic. Apparently Cavan is based on F O Matthiessen, someone with whom I am not familiar, but who also committed suicide in 1950, a victim of McCarthyism. This certainly adds another layer of interest to the novel, and as a snapshot of the time the book is atmospheric and feels authentic. But it does not engage the emotions and I could not engage very much with any of the characters. Readable but not particularly enjoyable.

[Anne Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small "quiet" book that although published in 1955 and set in the late 1940s, explores compelling questions as topical today as they were then. Elegantly written with the kinds of lyrical passages that evidence the writer's reputation as a poet, it was one of those books that you regret finishing. There seems so much more of the story that could be written but this is no fault of the author, just of a reader totally immersed in the world of the book.

The theme is described as "the plight of the embattled liberal" and how one such individual comes to terms with the conflict between his passions and the traditionally accepted view of the enlightened intellectual.

There are many unsolved dilemmas that thread through the narrative - issues of intellectual responsibility, academic obligations, the appropriateness of those who impart knowledge to act as moral arbiters and political commentators. All things that are painfully the preoccupation of those who influence what goes on in today's political and educational arenas.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 1955 about the plight of liberals/socialists in the US during that time. It is moving and frigtening. It seems to me a picture of the pendulum swing in our country. The characters all have the intensity that Sarton's characters usually have and they struggle throughout to make sense of a suicide and of their own loyalties.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: I received this Kindle book from Net Galley in exchange for a review.

This book is not for everyone. It is not a page turner. It was written in the 1950's and just now came out as a Kindle book. The story takes place in Boston,specifically Harvard University. It centers around the liberal politics of the Harvard professors and more specifically around the suicide of a particular professor,Edward Cavan. We learn about his suicide in the prologue at the same time his sister Isabel is informed of his death. Isabel lives in California,a world away from Harvard. The following chapters then tell the back story of Edward,a brilliant, complicated man. Even his relationship with his mother(which we learn from his sister is different). Edward and his colleagues have formed the Harvard Teachers Union. (an offshoot of the Civil Liberties Union)They are progressives and socialists and their views cause them troubles. Edward is uncompromising in his views and this causes a break with his colleagues.In the end we witness the traces of the McCarthy hearings of the 1950's. His friend Damon when questioned summarizes for the subversive committee hearings his view of Edward and I quote" that although Edward Cavan may have been wrong in his belief that Communists and Socialists could and should work together,in the essence of his belief he was right and many of us were wrong".

The last half of the book has Edward's sister and friends trying to understand his death and why he committed suicide. They are burdened with both grief and guilt. The writing is beautiful and I found myself highlighting many passages. The title is intriguing. It comes from Proverbs 27:6( Faithful are the wounds of a friend,profuse are the kisses of an enemy) In the end Edward's wounded friends remained faithful to him. He truly was loved and respected by them. Edward lived what he believed.

One other interesting passage in the book (and there were many) is when one of Edward's friends passes a chestnut tree whose branch was broken off and it had an open wound.The friend wanted a tree surgeon to fix the wound immediately. Such beautiful symbolism as Edward and his friends are all wounded.

This is a slow read and not for everyone. It has to be absorbed and thought about long after you turn the last page. I enjoyed the book (the Boston scenes were familiar to me) as it gives one thoughtful pause. It was written so many years ago but it still fits in with today's culture.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Faithful Are the Wounds" by May Sarton explores the aftermath of a suicide within a circle of Harvard intellectuals in the 1950s. The novel, set against the backdrop of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, examines how the death of Professor Edward Cavan, a man dedicated to his ideals, impacts his friends and colleagues. Through their reactions, Sarton explores themes of intellectual integrity, political pressure, and the challenges of living authentically in a time of fear and conformity.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

The Suicide:
The novel opens with the suicide of Edward Cavan, a prominent English professor at Harvard, deeply involved in the fight against fascism. This event serves as the catalyst for the story, forcing his friends and colleagues to confront their own beliefs and values.

Intellectual and Political Climate:
The story takes place during the 1950s, a period of intense political scrutiny and fear, particularly regarding communism. Sarton uses the McCarthy hearings as a backdrop, highlighting the pressure on intellectuals to conform and the dangers of expressing dissenting opinions.

Impact on Characters:
The novel delves into the lives of Cavan's friends, including his close friend Julia Phillips, and his sister Isabel. Their initial reactions range from shock and denial to intellectualizing the event, but ultimately, Cavan's death compels them to re-evaluate their commitments and take a stand against injustice.

Themes:

Key themes in the novel include:

Intellectual Integrity: Cavan's suicide forces his friends to question whether they have been truly honest with themselves and others.
The Nature of Friendship: The novel explores the complexities of friendship, particularly in times of crisis, and how loyalty and betrayal can be tested.

Political Responsibility: Sarton examines the role of intellectuals in society and their responsibility to speak out against injustice, even in the face of personal risk.
Courage and Conformity: The story highlights the tension between courageously defending one's beliefs and succumbing to the pressure to conform.

Real-life Inspiration:
According to the Los Angeles Times, the character of Edward Cavan is believed to be based on F.O. Matthiessen, a Harvard professor who also committed suicide in 1950. Matthiessen was a vocal critic of McCarthyism, and his death was seen by some as a tragic consequence of the political climate.

[Pascale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I stand back from this book, I can see how dated it is in some ways, but while reading it I was glued to the page. The story takes place mostly in 1949, with an epilogue 5 years later. It is set in Cambridge, and among other things it is a love letter to Harvard, to all the great minds who've made Boston what it is over the centuries, and to academics and intellectuals in general. The story revolves around a brilliant professor of American literature, Edward Cavan, whose suicide is traumatic for his sister, as well as for a number of colleagues and students. Edward is politically active, and when he finds himself increasingly isolated in his battles, that's more loneliness than he can bear. In the epilogue, his friend Damon, who had parted ways with him over the issue of denouncing Communists within their union, takes a firm stand on the issue, thereby validating Edward's uncompromising stance and carrying on his fight. Thus the bare bones of the story make it sound like one of these romans à thèse of the 50s that have become totally illegible by now. However, Sarton is a very deft psychologist, and in the best chapters of this book (chapter VIII, when Damon and his wife Julia have Edward at home for dinner, in a last ditch attempt to mend fences), she reminded me more of Virginia Woolf (the VW of "Mrs Dalloway") than of Jean-Paul Sartre. It's a great pity that most of May Sarton's books are out of print at the moment, and it's high time to reevaluate her.

[V.R. Barkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially published in 1955, inspired by the suicide of Harvard educator F.O. Matthiessen during the McCarthy era, FAITHFUL ARE THE WOUNDS was released in digital format for the first time this August.

The story deals with the suicide of brilliant arch-liberal Harvard professor, Edward Cavan, and the impact of his death on those around him. Through the eyes of family, friends, and colleagues, we get to know Cavan, a man of unwavering principle destroyed by his own uncompromising idealism.

Given the academic setting and period—the ascent of the post-war red scare—I was concerned the novel would prove overly political for my taste. While it is unabashadly political, Sarton is too fine a writer to lecture. Instead the politics coalesce in her beautifully drawn characters and play out in their complex relationships.

In Conversations with May Sarton, she explains she wrote FAITHFUL ARE THE WOUNDS to answer the question, “How can a man be wrong and right at the same time?” Edward Cavan is that man, and this book is Sarton's gripping answer.

Not a light read, but engrossing and thought-provoking. A brief glimpse into academia and America's post-war political milieu couched in powerful, elegant writing. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Open Road Media for the opportunity to read and review this title.

[Helen Marquis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully engaging and moving novel about the suicide of a Harvard professor and the effect it has on his family and friends. Frustrated by his relationships regarding his political leanings and idealistic beliefs in the McCarthy Era, seemingly adrift from all those around him, Edward Cavan decides the only solution is to throw himself under a subway train.
Taking this as the starting point of the novel, Sarton looks back at the time leading up the tragedy and then the effect it has on Cavan's friends and family, from his estranged sister Isabel (who never thought she was smart enough to be included in his life), to his friend Damon (who shares his beliefs but when push comes to shove would rather deny them than stand up and be counted)....
Knowing Cavan's ultimate decision from the start, infuses the entire novel with a sorrowful tone, which combined with the Harvard location, really reminded me of John Williams' novel "Stoner". The novel also reminded me of Louis Malle's film "Le Feu Follet" with its theme of a suicidal man looking for reasons to live in his nearest and dearest, and ultimately finding them lacking.
A beautifully written slice of history. Highly recommended.

[Paul DiBara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way the story deals with people's thoughts, motivations and emotions. The author focused attention around an event, the death of a man of principle, of liberal bent, who committed suicide. A contrast is drawn between the depression suffered by the ill-fated protagonist and his less passionate friends and family. It's also a tale about the impact one person can have on others and the resultant changes that occur in them.

[Jean Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful writing! Every character, whether loved or hated, and many are both, gives us a look at a post-World War II America that is frighteningly familiar. Sarton is there at the beginning of a conservative push to convince the war-weary nation that intelligence and academia are to be hated and feared. Interesting read for its history and character development. Well done!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is yet another fantastic novel. I was turned on to May Sarton by one of my professors and I'm glad of it, I think I may like her work as much as I like Hemingway or Steinbeck.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. I do feel like I need a lit class to discuss so much that happened.

[Kidough711 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love May Sarton, a novel set in the 50's, seems to be a theme with me, anyway, very interesting story, probably not everyone's cup of tea but I liked it a lot. 281 pages

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage novel, still relevant.