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Let It Come Down

paul bowles

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In Let It Come Down , Paul Bowles plots the doomed trajectory of Nelson Dyar, a New York bank teller who comes to Tangier in search of a different life and ends up giving in to his darkest impulses. Rich in descriptions of the corruption and decadence of the International Zone in the last days before Moroccan independence, Bowles's second novel is an alternately comic and horrific account of a descent into nihilism.

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1952
Places
tangier, morocco, north africa, 

This edition

Format
304 pages, Paperback
Published
October 31, 2006 by Ecco
ISBN
9780061137396
ASIN
0061137391
Language
English

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About the author

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paul bowles

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Paul Bowles grew up in New York, and attended college at the University of Virginia before traveling to Paris, where became a part of Gertrude Stein's literary and artistic circle. Following her advice, he took his first trip to Tangiers in 1931 with his friend, composer Aaron Copeland.

In 1938 he married author and playwright Jane Auer (see: Jane Bowles). He moved to Tangiers permanently in 1947, with Auer following him there in 1948. There they became fixtures of the American and European expatriate scene, their visitors including Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams and Gore Vidal. Bowles continued to live in Tangiers after the death of his wife in 1973.

Bowles died of heart failure in Tangier on November 18, 1999. His ashes were interred near the graves of his parents and grandparents in Lakemont, New York.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
31(31%)
3 stars
37(37%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
rhymekun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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When I started reading it, and when I finished it, I thought the same thing; this is a book that reminds me of Fitzgerald's novels.

Even if it takes place in a completely different geography, perhaps because it tells about recent times, perhaps because of its narrative style, it reminded me of him. A story that is dragged to unexpected and strange places and drags the reader along. I really liked its narration.

I read this author for the first time, but it won't be the last. I really liked his style. Dyar was a very rough character at the beginning, like an unkneaded dough. I always clearly felt the influence of existential philosophy while reading.

After all, the ending was also suitable for him. Whether it's the other characters or the Fas paintings in the background, they were all very vivid. I just wish we wouldn't suddenly abandon the stories of some characters, but of course everything doesn't fit into one book.

As a result, it was a quality novel. I read it with pleasure and I'm looking forward to reading the author's other works.
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HassySoda
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Nelson Dyar, a bored young bank teller in New York, impulsively quits his job for a hazy opportunity in post-WWII Tangier.

When he arrives, he realizes the promised job is non-existent, yet he fails to draw the right conclusion.

Suffering from ennui and self-delusion, he drifts into sketchy relationships and makes more bad decisions.

Mr. Bowles, a master of exploring the workings of an aimless mind, further complicates Dyar's confusion by persuasively introducing drugs into the story.

Almost from the start, despite occasional glimmers of hope in Dyar's delusional brain, there is an overwhelming sense of his ultimate doom as he stumbles around Tangier.

As in The Sheltering Sky, Mr. Bowles powerfully evokes the Tangier milieu, adding its mysteries and alien culture to Dyar's many problems.

This is not an uplifting book, but it is a powerful one, delving deep into the psyche of a lost soul in a foreign land.
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Benzaicho
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A wonderful flip of a suburban interloper in strange lands unfolds. It delves into how the lack of respect for customs, a clear purpose in one's travels, and trustworthiness in oneself and others can gradually degrade the mental state and the soul. Throughout the story, there are colorful characters, exciting adventures, and vivid descriptions of herb-assisted mysticism that seem to mask the downfall of our antagonistic protagonist. The read is free-flowing, with our narratives shifting smoothly. Frequently, we pick up with a character as soon as they enter an area that the previous players had just exited. All in all, it's an entertaining and humorous ride. However, it takes a turn when unchecked paranoia and greed become overly consuming, leading to a different kind of outcome for our characters.

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Scopophobiaz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Living in Bangkok, one comes to anticipate encountering elderly, alcoholic sexpats. These individuals have journeyed here to squander their lives and perhaps meet their end in the embrace of a woman half their age, who is eagerly waiting to claim what remains of their savings. Strangely, they seem quite self-aware and are more or less harmless.

However, what one doesn't expect are the younger guys in their 20s and 30s. They have come seeking an escape from reality and have ceased to live as humans. Dyar, the antihero of Paul Bowles' Let It Come Down, is one such example. He makes mistakes repeatedly and descends into an absolute mess on a Withnail level. Like those disasters I've witnessed in Bangkok, he eventually realizes that he cannot flee from his own shortcomings. That being said, while it is not nearly as remarkable as The Sheltering Sky, Let It Come Down still has its notable moments.

It offers a glimpse into the lives of those who have chosen an unconventional path in a foreign land, grappling with their own demons and the consequences of their actions.
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Tekuracer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I got a little nervous when Bowles abandoned the panoramic intrigue of Tangier's ex-pat and indigenous schemers.

Particularly, lesbian Eunice Goode and call girl Hadija were left aside as Dyar embarked on an existential excursion past the limits of victimization and virtue.

However, I soon found that Bowles was up to the challenge.

To my mind, the descriptions of drug-induced paranoia and introspection were some of the best I've ever read.

The quote, "But even at the end of the night there would still be an ember of time left, of a subtle, bitter flavor, soft to the touch, glowing from its recess of ashes, before it paled and died, and the heart of the ancient night stopped beating," added a beautiful and poignant touch to the narrative.

It painted a vivid picture of the passing of time and the fading of hope, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Bowles' ability to capture such complex emotions and experiences through his writing is truly remarkable.
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kay_robin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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If it would have been a benefit to anyone for me to stand up and applaud at the end of this book, I would have.

After reading The Sheltering Sky, one can truly appreciate just how talented a writer Paul Bowles is. The Sheltering Sky was a rather trippy experience, and it was challenging to fully grasp some of its complex threads. However, it was an epic journey that one simply had to hold on to as Bowles led the way.

Let it Come Down, on the other hand, takes all of those loose threads and firmly anchors them in the reader's mind. It does have a few trippy moments, which is not surprising considering it was likely distilled in the reefer fumes of Bowles' mind. But whatever greatness it may have sacrificed in terms of the poetry of telling an epic, it more than makes up for with its pure, solid writing.

This is a great second novel and a very strong follow-up to The Sheltering Sky. It showcases Bowles' growth as a writer and his ability to create a captivating and engaging story that will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned.
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allemandi96
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A strange diaphanous veil seems to hang between the reader and the depth of the characters.

At the beginning, the characters remain somewhat elusive, as if hidden behind this intangible barrier. The reader struggles to truly understand their motives, desires, and inner conflicts.

However, it wasn't until the last few chapters that the main characters came to light with more depth.

Slowly but surely, their true natures are revealed, and the reader gains a more profound understanding of who they are and what drives them.

One aspect that stands out is the dizzying description of being high.

The author vividly portrays the sensations and emotions associated with this state, making it almost palpable for the reader.

This description adds an interesting layer to the story, perhaps highlighting the characters' search for escape or a different kind of experience.

Overall, while the initial lack of character depth may have been a bit frustrating, the final chapters more than make up for it, leaving the reader with a satisfying and thought-provoking reading experience.
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f1m0se
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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What truly appealed to me were the vivid descriptions of Tangier and Agla. They felt so authentic, and that's because Bowles had spent a significant portion of his life in those places.

In an introduction penned thirty years after the book's initial publication, Bowles revealed that most of the characters in the book, with the exception of Dyar, were actually based on real people. This added an extra layer of interest and authenticity to the story.

He also wrote that by the time the book was published in 1952, Tangier had already changed. It was no longer the vibrant international city that he had so beautifully described in his work. His book, in a way, is like a precious photograph. It captures a specific moment in time, freezing it forever for readers to explore and experience.

It allows us to catch a glimpse of a Tangier that may no longer exist, but still lives on through Bowles' words.
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