The Good Soldier - Ford Madox Ford

I decided to read this novel after reading A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway because of the chapter “Ford Madox Ford and the Devil’s Disciple”.  I am a big fan of 20th century literature, especially the expat crowd that hung out on the Paris Left Bank and I had never read anything by Ford.  I was surprised to find that The Good Soldier was high on several lists of greatest novels and some have even called it one of the greatest novels ever written.  I have never seen much commentary or mention of it until I looked for it and doubt that I would have ever paid him any attention if it were not for his association with Hemingway. 

I enjoyed the novel and I think it was skillfully written, however I would not classify it as one of the best novels I have read.  That is probably because I prefer the more adventure genre than a story that is more romantic in nature, however being a fan of literature and good writing, I thought the prose and technique in the story telling was interesting, more so than the subject matter. 

The story is about two couples, the first couple being English, Captain Edward Ashburnham and his wife Leonora, Ashburnham being the good soldier referenced in the title.  The second couple is John and Florence Dowell, John a wealth American Quaker.  The story is narrated by John Dowell and Ford uses the literary technique of the unreliable narrator, leaving the reader wondering whether or he is an innocent victim or a master of manipulation seeking to evoke the sympathy of his audience.  Captain Ashburnham and his wife live the seemingly good life and perfect marriage, however over the course of the novel it is revealed that there are a constant series of infidelities by Ashburnham that has driven Leonora to excerpt control over his financial and romantic affairs placing great strain on their relationship as she strives to keep up a good public image.  John Dowell has his own issues with his wife who feigns a heart condition so that she can keep her husband at distance and carry on affairs of her own.  What ensues is a series of tragic events that is described by John as the “saddest story ever told”. 

In summary, I consider it an interesting story, told in an interesting way and it is a rather short novel, less that 150 pages.  It is worth the reading in my opinion.