Youngblood Hawke

I read years ago Herman Wouk's Winds of War and War and Remembrance. I just loved those books. I came upon Youngbood Hawke by accident and thought I would give the big book a try. I wish the book were longer. If you love to read, if you love the era of early 20th century America, if you love a great story, if you love intricate character development, New York and Hollywood this is the book for you. This book is up there with Ayn Rand and Dorothy Sayers.

"Masterpiece" is not a word I use lightly. In fact, when it comes to literature, I reserve it for no more than four or five novels. YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE definitely belongs in the category of masterpieces---a masterpiece of writing by Wouk, a masterpiece of depicting the rise and fall of a country bumpkin who achieves the height of literary success in New York City, a masterpiece of secondary character development, a masterpiece of depicting America's artistic circle in the mid-twentieth century. Arthur Youngblood Hawke hails from a small coal-mining town in Kentucky. Not content to become a part of the local industry, he recognizes his natural talent as a story-teller and, armed only with his boxes of typed manuscript, walks into a publishing house in New York City in 1946. From there the story follows his life as a writer and as a man who loves two women and is desired by three. If you are a writer or a person who likes to read about the writing experience, this book offers, like none other I have ever read, a searing picture of the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to become a writer and remain true to your craft. Wouk does not paint a pretty picture, but he does paint a realistic one. Youngblood Hawke sees his novels adapted to movies and Broadway plays, and the reader becomes privy to the inner workings of Hollywood agents and brokers. This is also a love story---a story of a young man's adulterous fascination with a queen of New York society, his relationship with the husky-voiced editor he loves but can never possess, his love for his mother that never falters even when she is driving him to distraction with her real estate schemes. And tying all this together is Herman Wouk writing at the top of his form, creating characters that make us love them, anguish with them, cry with them, and never forget them. In fact, the last 100 pages are perhaps the most riveting and heart-breaking I have ever read. This is truly a magnificent work of epic proportions, a work which some say is loosely based on the life of heralded writer Thomas Wolfe. Whether this is true or not, the one truth I took from this work came from the character of Jeanne Green when she says, ". . . there will never be another Youngblood Hawke,"

After reading The Hope, The Glory and The Caine Mutiny, I was ready to be entertained. However, the extent of enjoyment I would receive from Youngblood Hawke was underestimated. Wouk's unique storytelling draws you into the book as if you are with Hawke when he is writing, visiting his hometown, wooing his women, or absorbing the glitter of Hollywood and New York. I was dreading the last page, I just didn't want the tale of this colorful writer to end. When I did close the book, I felt I was saying farewell to Hawke and his many close acquaintances. I knew them well - what they wore, how they talked and how they felt. Wouk is magnificent.

I stumbled onto Herman Wouk as an author through his famous Winds of War and War and Remembrance -- and was so impressed I began a journey reading all his books, one I am still (happily!) taking. But not only has Youngblood Hawke topped my list of Wouk favorites (to date), but it has topped my list of all-time favorites, beating out even Pride and Prejudice and Ben Hur. I am partial to the era depicted in this story -- the age of radio and the dawn of classic hollywood -- and Wouk is a true master when it comes to painting an accurate picture of the lives lived in those times -- all without once falling into the trap of having to name famous names to sell his story. And woven with consummate skill throughout the events of his story is a comic tragedy that so draws the reader in, you wish you could at once chastize the characters when they make inevitably horrible decisions, and you grieve with them when they hurt because you nevertheless understand exactly why they've done what they've done. And all this culminates in an ending that is so TRUE, of it I can only say that it is perfect. If you love to read, if you love to write, if you love the era of early 20th century America, if you love a great story, if you love intricate character development, if you love a bit of sardonic humor, if you crave a story that will at once capture your heart and insense you with frustration, if you read literature to be transported into other times and places, if you read to feel your own soul well up within you, you MUST read this book. This is a book of which I now own two copies, and I will read again and again. I hope and pray it finds its way into the annals of classical literature -- especially as pertains to 20th century American fiction. This book is a truly masterful work of art, that even in its scope manages to examine critically the merit of art itself. It is at once wholly 20th century American in its style, and 19th century Russian in its scope. (And you haven't even heard what I could say about the first two Wouk books I mentioned above!) If you are the least bit curious based on my review, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Yes, it is a fantastic read, a gripping tragedy, with powerful characters and a realistic portrayal of New York and literary life in mid-20th Century America. But it is more: it is a writer's book. It is one of the best driving forces I have ever experienced. I mean, get you out of bed at 3 A.M. to write another 20 pages on your own manuscript, type of motivation. For years now I have had a page stuck to the side of my bookshelf here by my desk. It reads: "Can you meet the Youngblood Hawke challenge?"Though I caution: push yourself this hard at your own risk.Cheers,Thomas