od1_40reads's Reviews > Agapē Agape

Utterly brilliant.

The last of Gaddis’ novels, completed in 1998 but published posthumously in 2002. This is the first of his works I’ve read (even though it’s been said by many to read it last), and I’m glad I didn’t wait as I thought it was wonderful.

Gaddis evokes Thomas Bernhard here, in the style of a ‘rant’ from the deathbed about the collapse and destruction of art through the mechanisation of technology (a theme I believe is prevalent throughout his other works). In fact, you could say he directly alludes to Bernhard’s ‘The Loser’ with the inclusion of the pianists Glen Gould and Wertheimer (particularly with reference to Wertheimer’s suicide).

I particularly enjoyed the music references, which helped me to feel at home. He included some insightful stuff… how well do we all know the Modes?!

It is a marvellously structured chaotic stream of consciousness. It took me a few pages get into the loop, as it were, and having read a few of Bernhard’s works definitely helped me with the form. Once I got my head around what Gaddis was doing, I read the whole thing in one sitting (it is only 96pp after all).