2006-11-06 Insightful and profound

I read this immediately after finishing the Magus. As a forty something father of three and a fan of Sebastian Foulkes I enjoyed the Magus but found Daniel Martin much more moving. There were many passages of profound meaning, many phrases that demonstrate J.F's insight into the human condition - he describes the rigid intelectual Anthony as being very good at looking at orchids but no good at finding them. As with the Magus, it needs to be read in the context of when it was written ( I would be interested to read Martin Amis' comments on the character Jane's statements on Stalinist USSR) but the vast majority of the observations are timeless. I expect some of the passages were worked on for some time before being accepted by the author; every word belongs and can not be improved upon. The material demonstrates J.F's love of nature and humanity. His descriptions of Devon and Dartmoor made me want to rush back there.

I am not sure I would have been ready for this book until now. Perhaps, like much else in life, one has to be ready to listen before one can hear and understand.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

MD