Cards of Identity

I don't know how I originally came across Card of Identity about 15 years ago, but I couldn't put it down and have read it three times. It's an enchanting novel and I'd hate for anyone to pass it by based on the rather incomprehensible reviews I've read of it on this site.

Waugh, Burgess but best also "Cards." Late Burgess left this out of his 100 list, and I had not yet read it when I discussed sustained narrative antic novels with him. This puzzles me. (I argued for Gravity, he plumped for V. Later in 100, he'd changed to Gravity. Egoist that I am, guess what I think. And, also, now I like V. Did he age well tho?)Pungent, perhaps profound. Some peerless moments of exquisite conundrum. Disciplined prose, strongly flavored character motion, level evocation of REM unreality.Inspiring. Worth writing tart poetry on its flyleaf. Don't not read now!

Actually Cards of Indentity is four books and a play. The "plot" involves a group of "psychologists" who take over a country home by mental tricks in order to hold a convention. Three of the books are 'papers' delivered at the convention. The play (which you will swear was written by Shakespeare) is the entertainment at the end of the convention. A must read.

It is an incredible feeling to come across a novel that has no fame or recognition yet is as genius as the great classics. Cards of Identity- is such a novel. It's brilliant satire makes it absence all the more unfortunate.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and am constantly putting my sanity at risk by first recommending my friends read it, then having to lend it to them because it is so hard to find!! Its message is roughly that we shouldn't allow ourselves to be forced to behave in a particular way just because someone claims they are an expert in who/what `people' are.