Books reviews, current events, and other musings

Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men is a fictionalized biography of Louisiana governor Huey "Kingfish" Long. Long was a political powerhouse who struggled to improve the well-being of the poorer constituents, while acting ruthlessly against anyone who opposed his wishes. Willie Stark, the governor in the novel, evolves from an idealist to a demagogue.

Jack Burden, a journalist who becomes one of Stark's chief aides, narrates several plotlines, which gradually converge at the book proceeds. Jack investigates the past of Judge Irwin, an important figure from Jack's childhood who crosses the governor. Jack recalls a historical investigation of his great-uncle's life, which he performed as his doctoral research in history. Warren spends a while discussing Jack's childhood sweetheart and her brother, who play important roles the present-day story. And, of course, Jack describes the rise and leadership of Willie Stark.

Warren's distinctive writing style is often entertaining:

The second day I was in Texas. I was traveling through the part where the flat-footed bilious, frog-sticker-toting Baptist biscuit-eaters live.

At other times, the long descriptions of temperaments and settings becomes monotonous. Still, there was enough happening to hold my attention.

Warren paints a detailed picture of political life in the 1930's. I wonder how well it reflects the modern-day situation; the internal contradictions of a politician are clearly still relevant. The various stories come together nicely, without the destination being obvious. Burden's character remains a bit amorphous, observing and judging everyone while trying, unsuccessfully, to stay above it all.

Overall, All the King's Men is one of the better novels that I've read in a while.