The NOVEL and the BACKDROP

“The Citadel” by A.J. Cronin is a universally acclaimed novel that masterfully navigates through an array of compelling themes and sub-themes. Set against the backdrop of the medical profession, this literary gem takes readers on a journey through the complex tapestry of human nature, ethics, and societal intricacies.

“Ethical Dilemmas”: Navigating the complex world of professional integrity.

At its core, the novel explores the relentless pursuit of ideals in the face of adversity. The protagonist, Dr. Andrew Manson, is a young, idealistic doctor who confronts the harsh realities of the medical world. As he grapples with the challenges of a flawed healthcare system, he discovers the delicate balance between personal ambition and the well-being of his patients. The theme of professional integrity shines brightly, highlighting the ethical dilemmas that physicians often encounter.

“Social Injustice”: The Flaws in the system, as the author observed

“The Citadel” also delves into the intricacies of class struggle and social injustice. It vividly portrays the divide between the privileged and the underprivileged in society, shedding light on the disparities in healthcare access and the harsh realities faced by those in need. The novel doesn’t shy away from exposing the dark underbelly of a system that sometimes prioritizes financial gain over patient welfare.

“Love and Sacrifice”: Unveiling the complexities of personal relationships amidst ambition.

Amidst the serious themes, love and personal relationships play a significant role. Dr. Manson’s marriage to Christine adds a layer of depth to the narrative, exploring the challenges and sacrifices made in the pursuit of professional success. The novel portrays the complexities of love and the emotional toll it takes in a world filled with ambition and obstacles.

“A Mosaic of Themes”: A.J. Cronin’s skillful crafting of interconnected themes.

In “The Citadel,” A.J. Cronin crafts a rich fabric of interconnected themes, from the relentless pursuit of ideals to the examination of professional integrity, social injustices, and the intricacies of love. This timeless classic remains a must-read for those seeking a profound and thought-provoking literary experience. These ground breaking themes in the novel also contributed to the introduction of National Health Service (N.H.S.) in Britain.

P.S. Did you know that ‘The Citadel’ was partly inspired by A.J. Cronin’s own experiences as a physician? Dive into this compelling novel to uncover the hidden layers of the author’s remarkable storytelling.

TheCitadel #AJCronin #Literature #Acclaimed

Also, read about the highly acclaimed 1971 Hindi Language Film Adaptation, by the Anand Brothers (Dev Anand & Vijay Anand), here’s the link.
In case you overlooked our earlier post, here’s the link.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT?

R.K. Narayan’s ‘The Guide’ is a literary treasure that continues to captivate readers worldwide. This novel takes you on a fascinating journey, following the life of Raju, a multi-layered character navigating the complexities of existence and spirituality. Narayan’s storytelling skill paints a vivid picture, drawing readers into the depths of human nature, the pursuit of desires, and the transformative potential of personal odysseys.

Immersive Setting and Prose

Set against the backdrop of a fictitious South Indian town, ‘The Guide’ immerses you in the rich tapestry of Indian culture and tradition. Narayan’s eloquent prose and profound insights into human psychology make this book a classic that stands the test of time.

It’s a literary work that encapsulates the essence of a changing India and explores universal themes of self-discovery, redemption, and the intricate dance of human connections.

Timeless Themes and Literary Influence

With its unique narrative style and thought-provoking themes, ‘The Guide’ is a must-read for anyone seeking a compelling, enriching literary experience that resonates deeply with both readers and critics.

P.S. My mother introduced me to this novel (she owns a copy) and its highly acclaimed 1965 adaptation by the Anand Brothers!

Also, read about the 1965 Hindi Language Film Adaptation, here’s the link

#TheGuide1958 #RKNarayan #UniversallyAcclaimed

Film Adaptations

The relationship between cinema and writing is like body and soul. If a piece of audio/visual is the body, then writing is the soul. Having said that, writing becomes a very crucial part of developing a film. If the writing is good, the screenplay automatically delivers and gives the necessary confidence to the director. When we talk about literature, good, rich literature, could be an excellent source for stories to develop screenplays.
If we look at some of the finest filmmakers, domestically or globally, literature has always been used. Veterans like Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Tapan Sinha, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Basu Chatterjee to an extent have always based their films on acclaimed literature.

Different Writers and Poets

Talking about literature, my relationship with literature is through my mother only. So she is a complete literature person. It is because of her I got to know about so many writers, novelists, and poets, the classic ones, the good ones. Whenever I have a conversation with her, she tells me about a new writer or poet, and their work which she got familiar with during her post-graduation in English. Her collection of writers is just exceptional, has some rare novels and books from her mother too. Be it poets and writers like John Keats or W. B. Yeats, short story writers and novelists like O. Henry or Graham Greene, ace novelists like Bronte sisters or Thomas Hardy, critics like I. A. Richards or T. S. Eliot, her collection has works from all these writers. As a matter of fact, she is the one who taught me Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” in 10th standard and introduced me to Shakespeare’s most acclaimed works like Julius-Ceaser, and Macbeth. Recently, one day, while talking about psychological complexes, she told me about “Sons and Lovers” by D. H. Lawrence, considered one of the finest works of the millennium. Just yesterday, we were discussing poetry and she told me about Lord Byron the most interesting poet of the romantic movement. Not only she told me about Byron but also shared one of his poems from her Golden treasure (a collection of poems by all the prominent and important writers).

The Relation

My point is, whenever she tells me about a piece of work whether a short story or a novel, I look for its film adaptation, and most of the time find one. Recent examples are “Wuthering Heights” and “Far from the Madding Crowd”. Wuthering Heights is by Emile Bronte of the Bronte sisters and “Far from the Madding Crowd” is by Thomas Hardy. To end my curiosity, mummy asked me to read the novels, and even considered giving me the novels from her shelf. But instead of reading, I looked for their film adaptations, and luckily both these novels have been adapted into films. Like these, there are several classic novels and books from English literature that have been adapted into films. But rarely these days, we can find a film based on any classic literary work and this has also resulted in the quality of the cinema that we see today.

In case you overlooked our earlier post from the Movies Section, here’s the link https://perfectmisenscene.com/?p=1033