One of the questions I had after reading the first section of Gould’s Book of Fish relates to the character, Sid Hammet, who is also the narrator of the novel (up to this point). One day, Sid happens to find a book in a junk shop and continues to refer to it as the Book of Fish. Sid believes this book was written by the convict William Buelow Gould in the mid to early 1880’s (14, Chapter IV). However, my question is why does Sid become extremely attached to this book? In the beginning of the novel, he states that his own personal story is visible in the book (4, Chapter I). However, Sid is not a convict and has yet to display significant information for the reader to consider him to be an ex-convict. He simply appears to be a poor furniture maker in Australia who is passionate about the stories he has recently discovered.
I found it interesting when Sid describes the physical book as if it were in the realm of the supernatural. For example, he states that, “the book’s marbled cover was giving off a faint, but increasing bright purple glow” (12, Chapter III). As Sid continues on to read the book, he becomes engrossed in its stories. Once again, we can see the similarities between his opinions of the narrative and the supernatural when he says, “The story enchanted me, and I took to carrying the book with me everywhere, as if it were some powerful talisman, as if it contained some magic…” (16, Chapter IV). I enjoyed reading about Sid and his passion for this book. However, I am still unsure as to why he has attached himself to this particular book and how his life will relate to the stories from William Buelow Gould. I believe that we may be able to answer these questions after we learn more about the stories that Sid has discovered.
As I read the first few segments of Gould's Book of Fish, I too was taken by how infatuated Sid became with the Book of Fish despite knowing very little about its origins. While reading, I found myself particularly curious about the contents of the Book of Fish and the stories contained within it. Sid's discription of the loss of the book as having lost "something fundamental" and then having "acquired in its place a curious infection: the terrible contagion of an unrequited love" (26, VII) was a partiuclarly powerful admonition that stuck with me as I continued to read. I think his infatuation with the Book of Fish, however inexplicable, is responsible for his attribution of supernatural characteristics to the book itself. I can't help but wonder if his fascination with the book is due to its contents or instead to a form of mental illness that Sid may be suffering-- his behavior strikes me as psychologically odd, and I'm interested to learn more about his personality.
ReplyDeleteI as well found Sid's deep connection with the Book of Fish odd. I could not think of a connection that a convict and a man who sells fake antique furniture could possibly had. Like Maria said, I also had some suspicions that Sid could possibly have a psychological disorder. The way he became completely attached to the book, taking it everywhere with him and reading it several time seems to say that the way he was attached to that book was not normal. Also the way he described the book upon first finding it was strange. He described it as "giving off a faint, but increasing bright purple glow."(pg 12) Also the way he claimed that it made his hands purple and glowing is strange is well. Overall I think there is a real possibility that Sid could have some sort of psychological disorder and I too hope to find out more about his personality and his reasons for having such a deep connection with the Book of Fish.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I haven't read enough of the novel to be sure, it seems to me as though it makes sense that Sid has such a connection to the Book of Fish. First of all I would like to point out that when Sid talks about having an attraction to the book, I believe he is not truly talking about the actual book, but rather the story and the persona of Gould. The physical manifestation of the book as being an object of supernatural or special powers, in my opinion, is just a manifestation of the power Gould holds over Sid. Secondly, Sid is clearly a disillusioned man living in harsh modern times. He questions his own profession, finding it somewhat immoral that he profits off of the relics of other's past suffering, convicts such as Gould. Sid cannot even find comfort in his own lover, as she has some sort of seizure while they are making love. I believe that this very disconnected man finds a connection in Gould, paralleling his absolute isolation with Sid's isolation.
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