The Review of Contemporary Fiction

Some Sort of Joy by John Taylor
Irving Malin

John Taylor. Some Sort of Joy. Cedar Hill Publications, 2000. 149 pp. Paper: $15.00.

John Taylor’s latest is a “daybook.” He recounts his various walks in a small French village, describing passages through various streets as he shops or takes his son to school. His descriptions are, on the surface, routine and commonplace. But he finds that even ordinary walks are surprising. Indeed, he discovers that existence is mysterious, and thus he becomes a fascinating observer and participant. Almost every page offers inquiry but few solutions. In the very first description, Taylor, bringing a cartload of produce to market suddenly spots a cathedral, “its two spires blended—in profile—into one knife blade thrusting high in the heavens. This knife blade is the only familiar sight I recognize, however. To my left extends an enormous discount shoe store and to my right I read ‘Marché d’Intérët National.’ ” The passage is representative. Taylor recognizes the unfamiliar in the familiar and vice versa; there is a sudden change of perspective and the subsequent risk of acceptance. It is appropriate that he juxtaposes cathedral and discount store, or rather, that he sees the juxtaposition. How can he find “some sort of joy” in an odd mixed world. He tells us: “It is difficult to obtain a correct perspective on the world, on what one should do with one’s life, in such a place.” Taylor’s plain prose is appropriate; although he thinks about the most difficult philosophical questions, he brings them down to earth. And as we read Taylor’s apparently simple prose we see that its surface hides deep secrets, uncommon perplexities. This brilliant book is a kind of pilgrim’s process, offering no final answer. [Irving Malin]


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The Review of Contemporary Fiction Some Sort of Joy by John Taylor Irving Malin John Taylor. Some Sort of Joy. Cedar Hill Publications, 2000. 149 pp. Paper: $15.00. John Taylor’s latest is a “daybook.” He recounts his various walks in a small French village, describing passages through various streets as he shops or takes his son to school. His descriptions are, on the surface, routine and commonplace. But he finds that even ordinary walks are surprising. Indeed, he discovers that existence is mysterious, and thus he becomes a fascinating observer and participant. Almost every page offers inquiry but few solutions. In the very first description, Taylor, bringing a cartload of produce to market suddenly spots a cathedral, “its two spires blended—in profile—into one knife blade thrusting high in the heavens. This knife blade is the only familiar sight I recognize, however. To my left extends an enormous discount shoe store and to my right I read ‘Marché d’Intérët National.’ ” The passage is representative. Taylor recognizes the unfamiliar in the familiar and vice versa; there is a sudden change of perspective and the subsequent risk of acceptance. It is appropriate that he juxtaposes cathedral and discount store, or rather, that he sees the juxtaposition. How can he find “some sort of joy” in an odd mixed world. He tells us: “It is difficult to obtain a correct perspective on the world, on what one should do with one’s life, in such a place.” Taylor’s plain prose is appropriate; although he thinks about the most difficult philosophical questions, he brings them down to earth. And as we read Taylor’s apparently simple prose we see that its surface hides deep secrets, uncommon perplexities. This brilliant book is a kind of pilgrim’s process, offering no final answer. [Irving Malin]

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