The Wapshot Scandal

by John Cheever

Book Overview

The Wapshots return in the sequel to John Cheever's National Book Award-winning novel, The Wapshot Chronicle. In this darkly comic yet deeply compassionate work, Cheever shares the further adventures... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B001F3LL18
• Release Date: January 1964
• Publisher: Harper & Row
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Wapshots, Part II

In "The Wapshot Scandal," published in January 1964, John Cheever continues the story of the Wapshot family that he began in 1957's The Wapshot Chronicle. Family history and reputation managed to retain a certain amount of prestige and respect for the Wapshots in tiny St. Botolphs for a decade or two beyond the time that the decline in Wapshot family prospects became evident to outsiders. Now "The Wapshot Scandal" focuses on the youngest members of the family, brothers Moses and Coverly, as they build new lives for themselves far from the little town in which they grew up. Thankfully, Cousin Honora is also a part of this second Wapshot book and, as it turns out, the contribution she makes to the overall sense of scandal that envelopes the family is a key one. Moses and Coverly, having successfully secured Honora's financial support, are now married, with families and careers of their own. But despite Honora's decision to share what is left of the family fortune with them, neither man is particularly happy with his lot in life because each is married to a troubled woman and tied to a job he secretly despises. Honora, in the meantime, still reigns in the big family home in St. Botolphs where she lives alone with her longtime housekeeper, the closest relationship she has in the world despite what either woman might say about it. Honora, as spirited and eccentric as ever (and described by Cheever as looking "a little like George Washington might have looked had he lived to be so old"), does not recognize the precarious decline the Wapshots are enduring until she is forced to match wits with an unhappy IRS employee who appears suddenly at her door. The resulting confrontation, and Honora's approach to solving the problem, will leave the reader smiling in admiration as the elderly woman proves to be more than a match for her young challenger. Despite its humor, however, "The Wapshot Scandal" is overall a much darker book than the one in which Cheever first introduced the family. Life in the suburbs, the lifestyle chosen by Moses and Coverly, is portrayed as bleak and despairing, a world often dominated by alcohol and adultery, a world in which hard work and doing the right thing for one's family are not always appreciated or rewarded. The "Wapshot Scandal" offers a much harsher brand of satire than the comic version of its predecessor and it leads nicely to Cheever's even grimmer look at the suburbs, his third novel: "Bullet Park." Rated at: 5.0

Psychological Flaws Unexpectedly Unveiled

If you have not yet read The Wapshot Chronicle, I strongly urge you to read that novel before this one. The Wapshot Scandal is written as a sequel to The Wapshot Chronicle, and the situations and character development in the first book are important background for the second one. Cousin Honora is back in The Wapshot Scandal, but in an unaccustomed role. She is one of the most original and interesting characters of 20th century literature, and my interest in her grew from reading this book. You will also follow Moses and Coverly through their developing careers, continuing marriages and family life. You will probably grow to be more interested in Coverly than before, because his character also receives much more development. The characters of Melissa, Moses's wife, and Betsy, Coverly's wife, are also nicely filled in from the simple sketches in The Wapshot Chronicle. A major new character is also introduced who serves as the exact opposite to Cousin Honora, Cameron, Coverly's brilliant scientist boss. The other significant new character is a young man whose life will remind you of the adolescent fantasies of teenage males. What each character has in common is an incompleteness, a weakness so profound that it causes each to be mightily humbled. These weaknesses are exposed as the comfortable facade of social position that has surrounded and protected the Wapshots is gradually stripped away. Some of the characters find new meaning from the changed circumstances, while others find the harshness of life without protection to be unbearable. You will find it rewarding to think about what it means to have "grace under pressure" after reading this book.Those who like lots of action in their books will find that this story gets off to a slow start, and only speeds up to a fast pace once or twice (depending on your idea of a fast pace). But this leisurely story constantly sets you up for unexpected events, that make you feel like Mr. Cheever has literally pulled the rug out from under your feet. Each time the unexpected blindsided me, I felt like I had been entertained by a master story teller of rare skill. Be especially patient in the beginning. The least amount of action occurs there.My favorite quality in the book is its unabashed challenge to the following tenets of American life: Work hard; get ahead; have a nice family life in the suburbs; enjoy your friends and neighbors; do the right thing; and find solace in acquiring material possessions. Mr. Cheever clearly makes the case that more is needed to be a good person and to survive within one's own limitations. Some of the comic scenes where consumerism is lampooned are absolutely priceless! The satire aimed at the hypocrites who look down at those who can't cope is so sharp that their heads roll almost without showing blood. This novel is a good one to savor . . . to read slowly . . . to discuss with others . . . and to reread. What do you assume you should do with yo

perseverance pays off

If you enjoyed the Wapshot chronicle, you will enjoy this,however he doesnt get into his stride until Chapter 6, or page 53. I have friends who claim they could never get into this book, and my advice to them is pick it up and start again at page 53 after which there is a great deal of the customary absurdity over which we lovers of Cheever drool. Thats all, enjoy!!