Myles Connolly (1897–1964)

This year, 2018, my New Year’s resolution was to pick twelve of the books that have been loitering on my bookshelves and actually read them. For February, I picked a short novel that has been print continuously since it was originally published in 1928.

While it’s considered Catholic fiction, I remember distinctly why I initially purchased it: the following sentence was on the back cover from John B. Breslin’s introduction: “Blue…was a uniquely American personality. As Myles Connolly wrote him, J. Blue was the man whom the ambitious Jay Gatsby might have become had he steered by a higher truth than the sound of money in Daisy Buchanan’s voice.” A novel that compares its protagonist to Fitzgerald’s Gatsby? I had to have it.

Breslin’s introduction makes may comparisons between Gatsby and Blue. He also called Blue a modern St. Francis of Assissi, which I didn’t seem at all.

Basically Blue is a free spirit, one who is more interested in God and the Earth than in following a strict set of guidelines that the human race places upon itself. He takes a vow of poverty and chases that vow with abandon.

I’m not sure that I truly understand Connolly’s message, but it’s good little read. Mr. Blue receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.… (plus d'informations)

A boyscout leader appointed to the senate stands up to corruption.

The ending is very abrupt. And it's a bit depressing to compare the Washington in the film to modern day politics. (I mean, really, a senator's career being threatened by it being known that he did something in the interest of a business? Talk about suspension of disbelief...) But this is probably the ultimate Jimmy Stewart movie. He is constantly - every second he's on screen - giving what's probably the best performance of his career.

Concept: B
Story: A
Characters: A
Dialog: A
Pacing: A
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: A
Acting: A
Music: C

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 3.6/4… (plus d'informations)