Queed

by Henry Sydnor Harrison

In the 21st century young Mr. Queed would be labeled a high-functioning autistic. In 1911 his fellow boarders simply think him eccentric: a literal thinker with laser focus on a single subject, a tendency to speak his mind, a minute-by-minute daily schedule, and little knowledge of or interest in social interaction. Sharlee Paynter and her admirer Charles Gardiner West find Mr. Queed interesting and begin trying to enlarge his world. As the odd young man's secrets emerge, Sharlee begins discovering answers about her own past—and thinking hard about her future.

Genres: Fiction

430 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Henry Sydnor Harrison was an American novelist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_S...

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! I had no idea what this book was about when I waded in. The long and short of it is a man called Mr Queed moves down from New York City to an un-named Southern State. He would like nothing better to sit in his room and write his Book about sociology and the brotherhood of man. But he's distracted by finding a job, and people insist upon befriending him... and there's a long lost father that seems to want to contact him. Throw in a girl with a leisure dog, a fortune that was stolen from her and an often absent sweetheart, and you have yourself an enjoyable read.

Make some tea and some time for this one, I promise it will be worth it!!

[Mrklingon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly relevant and engaging.

My wife noted while (re-)reading "Carney's House Party," from 1911, how a big topic was the book "Queed" that everyone was reading and talking about. Turned out 1) it was a real book and 2) freely available from Gutenberg.

It's a remarkable story - interesting, quirky - full of personal philosophy and politics. There is mystery, romance, heartbreak... all sorts of things - and while clearly set in its turn of the century time, much of it seem remarkably relevant - a great read.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite enjoyable. Published in 1911, it reflects societal norms of the time. It is also set in an unnamed city in the south 40 years after the Civil War and that is a little thread that runs through the story, but is certainly not the main story. I wanted to put this on my historical fiction shelf, but when it was written it was a contemporary book, so I don't think that qualifies....?

From the Goodreads blurb: "In the 21st century young Mr. Queed would be labeled a high-functioning autistic.... his fellow boarders simply think him eccentric: a literal thinker with laser focus on a single subject, a tendency to speak his mind, a minute-by-minute daily schedule, and little knowledge of or interest in social interaction." Sounds about right, but I do not know how much of this could instead be contributed to his upbringing. Queed does undergo a remarkable transition throughout the story, becoming much more able to 'read' and relate to people. He becomes more flexible and develops a great sense of kindness. His integrity and honesty remain intact.

One character begins a descent from grace that is quite sad. Interestingly, I don't believe it is because he changes, but that his character is tested and revealed for what it has always been.

Our main female character is progressive for the times, I think. Even though much is said about her beauty, she is shown to be a woman of intelligence and kindness and strong will.

And young Fifi plays a big role for her short appearance in the story.

I picked this book up for one reason: my neighbor's father is named Queed (first name; for the Queed in the book it is his last name.) I asked where that name came from - honestly, have you ever heard this name? I was told that there had been a popular book called Queed. My curiosity was piqued enough that I searched for a copy and bought one on eBay for less than $10. It is a first edition :) I'm glad I bought it.

Here's the opening paragraph, the last sentence of which made me smile: "It was five of a November afternoon, crisp and sharp, and already running into dusk. Down the street came a girl and a dog, rather a small girl and quite a behemothian dog. If she had been a shade smaller, or he a shade more behemothian, the thing would have approached a parody on one's settled idea of a girl and a dog. She had enough height to save that, but it was the narrowest sort of squeak."

The most objectionable material may be a couple of uses of the 'n' word when referring to former slave holding states and slaves/former slaves/blacks. If there was other profanity, it was mild and brief. Societal standing and common thinking about women of the time, if you get worked up about that sort of thing. Death, animosity, tobacco use, betrayal.

[Seng Aung Sein Myint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Burmese translation which is translated by late well known journalist U Win Htin. He mentioned this book as his bible.

[Angeline Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected gem!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Queed is a very serious, proud, and socially awkward young man who moves to a southern state from New York City after receiving a written request from his father, whom he has never met. Queed rigorously devotes all his time to writing his magnum opus on evolutionary sociology. However, he avoids the company of others as much as possible, showing no interest even in learning the identity of his mysterious father. Against his will and at great sacrifice to his beloved Schedule, Queed takes job as an editor at the local paper to pay the rent. Subsequent blows to his ego, including nearly being fired for incompetence, lead him to admit friends and exercise into his life and he grows from a sullen recluse to a well-rounded man.

The novel has a fantastic cast of well developed characters, including one of the oddest heroes you'll ever meet. The wry language of the author is a treat throughout the novel as he goes off on various interesting tangents about journalism, social causes, and the post-war South. I had no idea what the book was about when I picked it up and I could barely put it down once I did.

A review from 1911, the year Queed was a bestseller: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract...

[Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across Queed via a hundred year old rant in the book Beyond Life by James Branch Cabell, where he, in the modern slag 'gatekeeps' literature by saying: "Not even the publishers need pretend nowadays that Queed was an important contribution to literature but this book was read by millions and by many of its readers was naïvely enjoyed and admired and more or less remembered. Queed did thus somewhat influence all these honest folk and tinge their minds such as they were."

I get great pleasure reading these old angry pre-Twitter tirades, and my curiosity naturally leads me to read the target of his displeasure. And while James Branch Cabell seems correct that Queed has not remained popular, as clearly evidenced by the dismal number of ratings on Goodreads, it nevertheless is profoundly enjoyable to read, and surprisingly modern.

I would best describe this book as The Big Bang Theory set in the early 1900s, with the main character, Queed, being near in character and demeanor as the ever popular Sheldon. The early setup of this book is nearly the same as most of the plots of Big Bang Theory, whereas Queed is attempting and failing to write a great epic of sociology while an ever expanding crowd of characters continue to impede and interrupt his life's work, for which he openly despises them for. He continues to grow and change and, well, you probably can probably guess the rest.

That's not to say that this book isn't enjoyable however, as seeing this type of trope written from a now historical viewpoint gives it some extra flair and unexpected surprises. I particularly enjoyed how an old "proper" society handles such an unlikeable, egotistical nerd, and I was especially surprised how much agency this book gives it's female characters, despite the time period it takes place. I've read much worse women characters in books 90 years more recent, which really says something about how bad some modern books can be. That said, a modern audience would find the actions and independence of the women characters a bit lacking, it ends a bit too on the nose, and I would be at fault to not mention that it treats it's black characters as mere props and servants. Notwithstanding it's early 1900s faults, it still remains a good story and is obvious in hindsight why it was a bestseller in 1911.

[Peter McGinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second book I have read this month that was published in 1911. This novel was not only the better of the two but was the best book I have read in a long, long time.

The book has aged well. The dialogue is sharp and witty, as are the descriptions and the action. Allowing for a few quirks of language usage, it has the feel of a modern novel (minus the desultory swearing, the obligatory sex scenes and other features of modern novels). In fact, in the novels I have written, I try to feature witty and smart women as lead characters, and our leading lady here would fit right into one of my books.

It i true that I saw one of the major plot twists coming half a block away, but I do study novel plots myself and it didn’t ruin the story for me in any way. It also seemed to me that while there was a boatload of character growth for the titular Queed character, some of the other lead characters seemed pretty much the same throughout the novel. But that is more of an observation than a criticism. The copy I read came from Gutenburg.org for my Kindle, and I was impressed enough to download other titles by this author. My only real concern is that this was his best book and the others won’t measure up. We shall see.

[LexIconDevil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strange book about a strange man with a strange name. Queed is something of an INTJ who suddenly finds himself living in a Southern town in the early 1900s, and we observe his unfamiliarity with How People Work as he attempts to fumble through life amongst his fellow humans. The book is quite engaging and well-written, with interesting characters doing relatable things. I did fear that I would lose interest in Queed (the man) as he slowly began changing, but he remained eccentric and intriguing. I’ll admit to not enjoying the lengthy segment about the Confederate parade - it was like a twenty-page diversion into how wonderfully salt-of-the-earth the “Rebs” are - and the only African-American characters are servants who I don’t even think get any direct dialogue. Other than that, it was a fun read, and I greatly enjoyed the ending. This book has obviously grown very obscure over the years, but I think it holds up surprisingly well 110 years on.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this novel charming and quite unlike anything I've read. Queed is an unusual character—frustrating, even infuriating at first—but so rewarding to watch him grow as a person through his contact with others, through physical activity and through a very satisfying romance (that I didn't even dare hope was a possibility at the beginning, Queed was so far from a romantic lead). My only quibble is the character of Charles Gardiner West: he seemed so obviously weak, self-centered and unreliable that it was hard to understand how Queed and Sharlee could find him so admirable (Sharlee at least had some excuse since she hero-worshipped him as a girl). Regardless, it turned out right in the end and made for a very entertaining read.

[Suu Myat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read

[Htay Hlaing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this novel in Myanmar version. Now Queed is my best friend.

[Marti Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

How fun - popular bestseller from 1911. Values reflect the assumptions and way of life of their time, but still, quite a good read.

[Dancomfort · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quite interesting period piece, and the first instance of a nerd I have found in American literature. Instead of writing computer software, young Mr. Queed is writing a sociology study. All he wants to do is eat, sleep, and write. But fate, and a vivacious young women named Charlie conspire to force Queed to engage with life, and by the end of the story he is a community leader.

Queed's story is counterpointed by the story of the town's Golden Boy, who starts at the top, but ends up sinking toward the middle and being passed by Queed.

This book was written in the progressive era, and that is one of the drivers of the plot; our herees are trying to convince the State Legislature to create a reform school for girls. It also has many other motifs of popular literature; Queed's parentage is mysterious, Charlie is from once-great but
ruined family; Charlie must choose between Queed and the Golden Boy, and even buried treasure.

The writing throughout is adequate, and even inspired in a couple of spots. There are the usual blind spots; the town feels like Atlanta, Ga., but there is only one black character in the book.

The book is available through project Gutenberg. But is was a bestseller, so you might be able to find the hard-cover out there somewhere.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, which I downloaded (free!) on a whim because of its incidental appearance in Carney's House Party. It has something in common with that plot, a sort of love triangle, but there is far more drama and peripeteia in this one. The characters are developed fully in isolation rather than through their interactions with one another. Bonus enjoyment for me in the subplot about a small college and its ambitious young president. Towards the end, like in CHP and Pride and Prejudice and Room with a View, I found myself racing for the resolution, which was entirely expected but beautiful in many ways. A bit of an investment but highly recommended! Now that I've read Isobel's train reading I should go for Carney's BLEAK HOUSE.

i should add that I went for five stars because of the appearance of the awesome phrase "Parthian shot."

[Michael Alford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could explain the appeal and charm of this odd little book. It's main character is Mr Queed, a social scientist wwith no soial skills at all. All he wants to do is to be left alone and write his brilliant book on the humna condition, something he knows nothing about. The author brilliantly pulls Mr Queed out of his shell bit by bit, and by the end of the book he is a real live human being. That is only one facet of the goings-on in this book. Intrigue, politics, romance all go on all and by the end of the book, Mr Queed is at the center of it all but at he same time untouched by it.