I think I would have hated my first reading but liked my second if I had read it blind, but I skipped this process by knowing the entire plot before starting the story. As a result I could focus entirely on the little details and nuances of the characters, instead of getting lost in a sea of ideas. Is that cheating?
The story is really good, and so is the writing. Its only serious issue is how weirdly structured it is. But most would agree that there is an artistic merit to its unconventional presentation, as unamusing as it can be…as a first reading.
I’m not sure where I’m getting at here, but The Good Soldier is a good book. A great book even. But is an odd one too. I don’t know how this review would look like if I had read it on my own, instead of it being a part of a course in college.
I guess I should just be thankful it clicked for me…
As a final note, I’ll like to add that I don’t usually enjoy these sorts of stories (I hated The Turn of the Screw) but here it really worked for me. John Dowell and Leonora are fascinating characters to study. The former, a great narrator too (though, also a clumsy storyteller…maybe purposely so).