Book Review: Ford Madox Ford's novel "The Good Soldier"

Ford Madox Ford is one of those writers whose life lasted two centuries. He was born in 1873 and died in 1939. His novel "A Good Soldier: Story of Passion" was written in 1915 and is listed as one of the great books of the 20th century. The novel's original title was "The Saddest Story". The editors suggested a different title since World War I was underway. Out of the blue Madox Ford suggested 'The Good Soldier' ​​and the title was immediately accepted by the publisher.

The Good Soldier is a story of love and passion. Critics are of the opinion that the novel may be based on Madox Ford's personal life in which he faced intrigue and adultery. The novel is set shortly before the start of the First World War and tells the story of Edward Ashburnham, a soldier. Edward is the tragic figure in the novel even though he apparently has a happy married life. Together with Edward, Ford creates two of Edward's American friends.

Madox Ford tells the story in a unique way. Incorporate flashbacks. These are not in any chronological order, but are part of Madox Ford's style, which is unique to him. The story is told by an American John Dowell. Basically the novel outlines the sexual relations between two couples, one American and the other English. The narrator of the story, John Dowell, is the only person the reader can get close to, as he is the one telling the story. As the reader reads the book, the story develops a macabre atmosphere.

Madox through narrator John Dowell gradually reveals a world that leads to madness, death and despair. In this sense, the novel is heavy reading. As the reader reads the book, Madox Ford brings out the many vicissitudes of life and the relationship that most dominates a man and a woman, sexual intercourse. The novel is a powerful affirmation of human life and after reading it one wonders if Madox Ford himself must have led a life in which his dream did not come true.

The novel does not take place in a single sequence, but is divided into four parts, all interconnected.

The novel is a powerful statement on Madox Ford's life. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked 'The Good Soldier' ​​30th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Most critics consider it one of the best novels written in the last century. Madox Ford teamed up with Thomas Hardy and also befriended Hemingway. One of his regrets was that these two deserving ones didn't give him credit, even though Hemingway wrote a chapter about him meeting Madox at a restaurant in one of his books.

Madox spent the last few years of his life at Olivet College in Michigan as a professor. He later died in Deauville, France. He was only 65 at the time.