A Flag For Sunrise
by Robert Stone
Award: LA Times Winner 1982
Nominations: National Book Finalist 1982, National Book Critics Circle Finalist 1981, NY Times Finalist 1981, PEN/Faulkner Finalist 1982, Pulitzer Finalist 1982
Date Read: August 23, 2019
A Flag For Sunrise reads to me like a thriller but with a deeper focus on human nature, coincidence and the meaning (or, rather, lack thereof) of God. Each character in this novel has a trajectory all their own yet intertwined with one another to form a compelling symphony of chaos, greed and self-annihilation. There are members of the clergy, wrestling with their own faith. A washed up professor who drifts from one boozy and treacherous interaction to the next, often embarrassing himself. A ne'er-do-well drug addict who becomes a killer in pursuit of delusional grandeur. And a sadistic officer who can't keep himself from killing but requires absolution nonetheless.
Stone has done a remarkable job here of creating a fictional country on the brink of revolution while wrestling with naked humanity in an unflinching look at how flawed humans measure and weigh their own personal existence. The plot, although intriguing and thrilling at times, seems less the point here. Each of these characters, while uniquely different and struggling with vastly different demons, all desire to prove they are worthy and their existence has more purpose than the limited circles they find themselves in.
I am now excited to read the other Stone novels on my list - Damascus Gate, Dog Soldiers and Outerbridge Reach. His ability to weave a compelling narrative while delving into the human soul is a literary feast for me. Bring it on!
Looking Forward: Damascus Gate, Dog Soldiers, Outerbridge Reach
Date Read: August 23, 2019
A Flag For Sunrise reads to me like a thriller but with a deeper focus on human nature, coincidence and the meaning (or, rather, lack thereof) of God. Each character in this novel has a trajectory all their own yet intertwined with one another to form a compelling symphony of chaos, greed and self-annihilation. There are members of the clergy, wrestling with their own faith. A washed up professor who drifts from one boozy and treacherous interaction to the next, often embarrassing himself. A ne'er-do-well drug addict who becomes a killer in pursuit of delusional grandeur. And a sadistic officer who can't keep himself from killing but requires absolution nonetheless.
Stone has done a remarkable job here of creating a fictional country on the brink of revolution while wrestling with naked humanity in an unflinching look at how flawed humans measure and weigh their own personal existence. The plot, although intriguing and thrilling at times, seems less the point here. Each of these characters, while uniquely different and struggling with vastly different demons, all desire to prove they are worthy and their existence has more purpose than the limited circles they find themselves in.
I am now excited to read the other Stone novels on my list - Damascus Gate, Dog Soldiers and Outerbridge Reach. His ability to weave a compelling narrative while delving into the human soul is a literary feast for me. Bring it on!
Looking Forward: Damascus Gate, Dog Soldiers, Outerbridge Reach
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