The Feast of Fools
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | John David Morley |
| Products | Novel |
The Feast of Fools (1994) is a novel authored by John David Morley that offers a contemporary Munich-based, neo-Joycean retelling of the ancient Greek tale of Persephone.
Summary
On the day she is to marry the artist Brum, Stephanie escapes with Max, an undertaker, during the autumn equinox. The narrative weaves through themes such as astrology, antique lexicons, mortuary practices, fencing guilds, romance, sexuality, and Commedia Dell’Arte, delving into the subconscious experiences of present-day figures amidst the medieval carnival festivities of Fasching.
Reception
The Globe and Mail described the book as “a beautifully intricate puzzle-like novel, meticulously crafted by a masterful parodist.” D. M. Thomas praised it as “an extraordinary accomplishment” that blends mythological depth with sophistication, sensuality, humor, and storytelling prowess. Erica Wagner lauded its “sparkling prose” in The Times, while Simon Rees from The Independent highlighted its elaborate style and vivid imagery. Robert Taylor of The Boston Globe considered it “highly pretentious and sometimes obscure,” yet foresaw it achieving cult status comparable to John Fowles' The Magus. Literary analyst Ihab Hassan recognized Morley as a serious author whose work demands complete focus, likening his style to that of Joyce and Pynchon.
Prior to its release in 1991, The Feast of Fools was awarded the City of Munich Literary Prize, marking the first time this honor was bestowed upon a book not written in German. Following publication, it earned recognition as a notable title by The New York Times Book Review and was longlisted for the 1995 Irish Times International Literature Prize, which was ultimately awarded to J. M. Coetzee's The Master of Petersburg.
External links
- 'Mayhem in Munich', Suzanne Ruta, The New York Times Book Review (January 22, 1995)
- ‘A Woman Flees Munich for Seasonal Reasons’, Andy Solomon, The Chicago Tribune (February 19, 1995)