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Description edit
This novel in verse about a group of California yuppies was one of the most highly praised books of 1986 and a bestseller on both coasts.
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- John: "Gray-eyed, blond-haired, aristocratic / In height, impatience, views, and face, / Discrimintating though dogmatic, / Tender beneath a carapace / Of well-groomed tastes and tasteful grooming" (Stanza 1.4).
- Phil Weis: John's friend from Berkley; a political activist.
- Janet Hayakawa: A sculptor, drummer for the band Liquid Sheep, and John's former girlfriend.
- Wang Wei: Janet's grandfather.
- Cuff: One of Janet's two cats. "Sweet Siamese of rare refulgence/ With Chocolate ears and limbs of tow," a.k.a. "Catarrh" (Stanza 1.16.)
- Link: The second of Janet's two cats, a.k.a. "Louse" (Stanza 1.16.)
- Elisabeth Dorati: Lawyer at Cobb & Kearny
- Sue Dorati: Liz and Ed's sister, Cellist
- Ed Dorati: Liz and Sue's brother, works in advertising.
- Charlemagne: Liz's cat
- Paul Weis: Phil's son
- Claire: Phil's ex-wife
- Mrs. Craven: Phil's landlady.
- Rowena Craven: Mrs. Craven's daughter.
- Mrs. Weis: Phil's mother
- Mrs. Dorati: Add a description of this character.
- Mr. Dorati
- Chuck Lamont: Paul's friend.
- Professor Pratt: Author of numerous books on the history of Pittsburgh.
- Bjorn: A Swedish runner
- Kim Tarvesh: A graduate student of economics.
- Vikram Seth: The author
- Schwarzenegger: Ed's pet iguana
- Matt Lamont: Phil's physician, Chuck's father.
- Joan Lamont: Chuck's mother
- The Winery Cat: Mr. and Mrs. Dorati's cat.
- Father O'Hare: Anti-nuclear proliferation activist, priest.
Quotes edit
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“Eheu fugaces… Silicon Valley /Lures to ambition's ulcer alley /Young graduates with siren screams /Of power and wealth beyond their dreams, /Ejects the lax, and drives the driven, /Burning their candles at both ends. /Thus files take precedence over friends, /Labor is lauded, leisure riven. /John kneels bareheaded and unshod /Before the Chip, a jealous God.”
John -
“"Me advertise? You must be kidding!" /"Kiddo, I'm not. Just do my bidding. /Take out an ad. Right now. Today. /'Young handsome yuppie seeks…" "No way! /I've always thought your schemes, though wacky /(Conceived in midair, born in haste), /Remained within the bounds of taste, /But, as for this one - talk of tacky! /Let's talk of something else instead. /'Young yuppie'…! Better dead than read."”
John and Jan, Stanza 1.32
Setting & Locations edit
Organizations edit
First Sentence edit
To make a start more swift than weighty, / Hail Muse.
Table of Contents edit
1 The world's discussed while friends are eating
2 A cache of billet-doux arrive.
3 A concert generates a meeting.
4 A house is warmed. Sheep come alive.
5 Olives are plucked in prime condition.
6 A cat reacts to competition.
7 Arrests occur. A speech is made.
8 Coffee is drunk, and Scrabble played.
9 A quarrel is initiated.
10 Vines rest in early winter light.
11 The Winking Owl fills up by night.
12 An old affair is renovated.
13 Friends meditate on friends who've gone.
The months go by; the world goes on.
Glossary edit
- eheu fugaces labuntur anni: Latin: "Alas, the fleeting years slip by." (Horace). Stanza 1.9
- quondam: Once was, former. Stanza 13.36
- pleonasm: The use of more words than are required to express an idea; redundancy. Stanza 4.15
- fissiparity: Reproduction by fission. Stanza 8.11
Themes & Symbolism edit
Series & Lists edit
This book is in 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide. (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Vikram Seth (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 307
Publisher: Add the publisher.
Country: Add the country of publication.
Publication Date: 1986
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 307
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
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