The Man With The Golden Arm

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM
by Nelson Algren

 Award: National Book 1950

 Date Read: August 3, 2019

 The Man With The Golden Arm is a novel about those who live in the margins; those who are seldom given a second glance when encountered on the street - gamblers, junkies, alcoholics, prostitutes, thieves and degenerates. For the time it was written, this novel was daring in discussing a taboo topic: drug addiction.

 Frankie Machine is The Man With The Golden Arm, named thus for his ability to deal cards and play drums with a deftness few possess. His arm is further golden for the amount of drugs injected into it. Frankie, however, has dreams of becoming a drummer in a band but his addiction is holding him back. He successfully kicks his habit several times but relapses again and again. Reading of his poor decisions was difficult.

 For all the praise this novel received, I found it lacking in detailing the fundamental humanity beneath each of these characters. For all their moral failings, poverty and poor decisions, they are still people with desires, aspirations and relationships. Yet, I wasn't able to connect with their struggles or care in any significant way. While Algren is a gifted writer and succeeded in describing a world some of us have never experienced, I think he missed an opportunity to humanize these people and tap into the compassion and understanding they deserve.

 Looking Forward: A Walk On The Wild Side

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