I started this without the intention of finishing it, but after sitting on the first chapter awhile, I devoured the rest of the book. I couldn’t stop thinking about Clyde — his naive decisions, his values, his relationships, his hubris. It was easy to relate to his ambition, but when he starts to stray too close to the flame you can’t help but watch his life unravel in horror and fascination. Good books play like a movie, and this one projected scene after scene in vivid color. I’ve noticed younger people don’t know this story at ALL (and don’t care to) but my parents’ generation all recognized it, which also makes me think a remake of the movie is overdue.

The story in a quote: “… what matter it if a man gaineth the whole world and loseth his own soul?”