A New Life: A Novel

Even though I felt there were weak points in this novel, it contains enough classic passages, often hilarious, and portrays such a memorable character (type) that I will surely have many occasions to refer to it in conversation and will keep it on my bookshelf so that I can read parts aloud to friends.Sy Levin is the tortured moralist par excellence. His combination of solid liberal mensch and hopeless romantic schlemiel rings true for the human oh so human who struggle to find a place for themselves on this strange planet. Levin seeks that place in a small town in the American West after a dismal past in the urban East.But you’d never know you were in for such Sturm und Drang from the book’s opening, which goes along in the most mundane manner. I was contemplating putting the book aside but fortunately kept reading long enough to encounter one of those “classic passages.” Much of the book does consist of episodes in the life of a typical college teacher; they are competently written but hardly the stuff of enduring literature. Yet somehow they all come together with the more intense passages to create a pleasing and memorable whole.My complaints have to do with those intense parts, however. I found some of them unconvincing, especially the first time Levin suddenly opens up about his past. It was just too jarring a contrast to the rather colorless personality we had been introduced to up till then. But after that, the more passionate Levin we have now come to know becomes very real indeed.But another complaint is that the other characters in the book then become, by comparison, mere occasions for Levin to strut his stuff. Now they are the ones who seemed to me to be rather shallow or one-note, and sometimes also speaking and feeling in a manner that was just too rational or else literary.The book’s ending [partial spoiler alert], while not unpleasing, exemplifies a standard literary motif, as also at the end of Dickens’ Great Expectations and Bellow’s The Victim and Elena Ferrante’s Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, which is only to say, against the odds happiness comes, maybe. The ending also cleverly plays on the book’s title.All in all, a book I certainly recommend.

The first three quarters of this novel was my favorite from Malamud. There are some really insightful passages and memorable characters. This one feels larger in scale than many of his other works. That said, the last 50 pages or so were not great and really hurt the novel as a whole. I still recommend it but it’s a darn shame Malamud couldn’t find a better way to wrap this one up.

>A New Life< is great writing! A thoughtful, intriguing romance:page 237: Once she drew back back a lock of hair . . . and revealed an ear pinned like a jewel to her head . . . . Lord, thought Levin, how beautiful women are, and how hungry my heart is.page 202: Pauline rubbed her wet eyes against his shoulder. "I sensed it. I knew who you were.""I felt a new identity.""You became Levin with a beard."page 216: Love? Levin eventually sighed. Is it love or insufficient exercise?. . . Consider once more her lank frame, comic big tootsies, nose flying, chest bereft of female flowers . . . . He wanted no tying down with ropes . . . (he) had to have room so he could fruitfully use freedom. If ecstasied out of his senses, he let down his guard . . . Lord help Levin!In an enigmatic forward, Malamud quotes from >Ulysses< by James Joyce, "Lo, Levin leaping lightens . . ."Come experience Levin's amazing journey!

I first read this book in college - I found it in the stacks in our library and chose it as a recreational read. Needless to say, it has become one of the most memorable novels I have ever come across; so much so that I bought the book to read again last month. Malamud's talent lies in his effectual portrayal of true to life characters and situations: S. Levin has a history of making the wrong choices, struggles to do what his conscience tell him is the correct path in life and battles to maintain his personal dignity -- all while living in a new state without emotional support. The administrative tug of war that defines his experience as instructor at a small state college are realistic and well portrayed - but also, they are written with a good deal of wit, making this quite the enjoyable read. I recommend it without any reservation!

I'm an OSU grad, so I know the culture of which he writes well. But I found this novel timeless and delightful: while my parents read it at the time of its publication, I found it just as resonant today.

I found the writing to be exceptional but was disappointed by the substance. The main character, Levin, was sad and at times depressing. The book got better near the end when Levin becomes more of an actor and less of an acted upon. The quality of the writing deserves a better subject. The nature descriptions are at times lyrical.

If the Northwestern US fascinates you or you somehow find yourself there, this is one of the three best books set in the region. (The other two are "The Oregon Experiment" by Keith Scribner and "Sometimes a Great Notion" by Ken Kesey.)

Poor main character! He's a mess, but he manages to make a new life by hook or by crook. It feels like an early work by Malamud and is very interesting on that level.

Have read this before and lost my copy. I wanted to read it again.