Mefisto

by John Banville

Book Overview

A work of dazzling imagination that takes as its theme the price the true scientist or artist must pay for his calling in terms of his own humanity, his ability to live fully. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879237589
• ISBN13: 9780879237585
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: David R. Godine Publisher
• Length: 233 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Accusatus, iudicatus...salvatus?

The story of Faustus (or Faust, as he would become irrevocably better-known after Goethe was done with him) is probably one of the most durable myths of Western culture. The story of a man who makes a deal with the devil that he can never be happy or satisfied despite all the devil's best efforts (with divine permission), and that if he is, he will be immediately damned, seems to be eternally applicable to the present day. John Banville's take on this legend is set in the author's native Ireland; the main character is a slightly autistic mathematical genius and the Mephisto of the title is a thin young man named Felix who has a genius with sly jokes. The first part of the story is set in the protagonist's native village, while the second part finds him in Dublin (which Banville only ever calls "the city") at the nadir of that city's crack-addicted 1980s. The Irish are generally supposed to have a way with words, and I don't think there are enough in our shared language to convey the depth of Banville's skill in that department. His language is quite simply amazing: supple, economical, rich, well-chosen and pitch-perfect. Moreover, Banville does a similarly superb job in handling the Faustus legend and remaking it for the present day; his source seems to be Goethe for the most part, but he isn't afraid to reject, adapt or rearrange the elements of the most famous version of the legend to suit his purposes. Overall "Mefisto" is an amazing book, but for my taste the story seemed at times too much of a coatrack on which Banville hung the trappings of Faustus. Although it is undoubtedly due in part to his temperament, our main character more often seemed secondary to his constructed role as a modern Faust than the primary focus of his own story. In other, plainer words, Banville lets the medieval myth overwhelm his modern Ireland quite a few times. Still, there are far worse crimes which "Mefisto" doesn't commit, and if any country were suited to the mythic modern it probably is Ireland. "Mefisto" will most likely leave you wanting more, but there's plenty more (equally if not more excellent) Banville books to choose from in that case.

Stunner...

Banville is certainly one of the most exciting writers of the last 30 years, and this is a mesmerising display of his talents. On one level this is a book bristling with symbols, wherein a young man attempts to reconcile the opposing forces of chaos and order in which he finds himself. Working within and alongside this is the puzzle of the book itself. Themes are repeated, mutated and re-presented...the truth (of events and motives, of the world itself)always lying just out of reach for the narrator.As ever Banville is passionately in love with language. His glittering, post-modern premise is rendered with such a rich landscape of imagery and description that literally every paragraph of the book soars and the reader is left reeling in wonder. But Banville is also spare and wonderfully witty: "In the midst of wind-shivered foliage a deer would silently materialize - a glossy eye and a glistening tear-track, a stump of a tail, a unicorns dainty hoof" The poetic prose feels pared down, as if he's considered the cleanest, sharpest approach to each detail. So, in short, if you love language, if you love literature then surrender to Banville!

Another View

The partial list of Authors who have put their talents to this tale include giants in literature, J.W. Goethe, Christopher Marlowe, and Thomas Mann. "Mefisto" is John Banville's entry into this legend and into the company of those who have interpreted it. This story of "Faust" can be read in prose form like, "Mefisto", or as a play by Goethe. I enjoyed this version, as the message remains the same, the challenge to the Author is to make it relevant to now, and to make it his or her own. For any who have read another Author's version the changes required to make the tale more contemporary cannot be simple and make the version worthy. This is not about changing period costume and taking the work from The Medieval, to the Renaissance, to the 20th century.I think this legend is particularly valid today although any contemporary reader of another century would say the same. The difference is the lines we stand at, and the lines we cross because we can, with little regard for whether we should, are very real. Superstition still exists. Recall the recent millennial change and all that was feared and did not happen, all the apocalyptic prophesies that never were."Mefisto" is, as it has been, about crossing a line, what bargain must be made, what compromises negotiated, and with consequences vicious in their finality. Two scientists this past weekend were featured in a prominent newspaper saying they are moving forward with cloning a human. Others claim the cloning has taken place already. What deal have they made metaphorically speaking, and with whom?This legend like a select few of others of its kind is always valid, always worth reading. Even if you read the oldest written version it is possible to substitute a situation that exists today. And this is how it should be as this is about the human condition and one of its fundamental flaws. Always has been with us, always will be.The enjoyment here devolves from an extremely talented man of thought who can then place on paper the wicked and wickedly funny players like Felix that entertain, teach, and horrify. Mr. Banville gets inside your head if you let him, and, "Mefisto", is a carnivorous guest.So enter his world where nighttime becomes downtime, and bandages are made from aluminum foil. And here it is not just the red or blue pill, but how you receive it, tablet, powder, liquid, or perhaps with a syringe assist?

some stunning description

Really nice book with some deeply evocative language. Banville says so much with such economy of phrase. Great stuff.

mefisto

I found mefisto to be an excellent book,i particularly enjoyed the relationships between the folks at the Ashburn mansion. Felix who remains enigmatic thruought the novel is one of the most extrordinary characters ever to be woven by banville although you might already be familiar with him (ghosts) this book holds new insights into his peculiar psyche.if you are already a fan of banvilles or if you are looking for a truly excellent novel I would highly recomend this literary piece.