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Clark Gifford's Body

kenneth fearing robert polito

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Back in Print After Fifty Years


Clark Gifford? A cipher. A disaffected, vaguely idealistic politician in a nameless media-driven modern state where representative politics has dwindled to the corrupt transaction of business as usual and a new foreign war is always breaking out. One night Gifford and his followers seize some radio stations and broadcast a call for freedom—a rebellion that is immediately put down by the government and whose motive will remain forever obscure. Even so, it leads to twenty years of war.

A paranoid tour de force of political noir, Clark Gifford’s Body skips back and forth in time, interspersing newspaper clippings and court transcripts with the reactions and reminiscences of the politicians, generals, businessmen, journalists, waiters, and soldiers who double as the actors and the chorus in a drama over which, finally, they have no control. Who here is leading? Who is being led? Fearing’s novel is a pseudo-documentary of a world given over to pseudo-politics and pseudo-events, a prophetic glimpse of the future as a poisonous fog.

“I have not developed the habit of reading thrillers, but I have read enough of them to know that from now on Mr. Fearing is my man.”–The New Yorker

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1937

This edition

Format
288 pages, Paperback
Published
October 17, 2006 by NYRB Classics
ISBN
9781590171820
ASIN
1590171829
Language
English

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About the author

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kenneth fearing

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Kenneth Fearing (July 28, 1902 – June 26, 1961) was an American poet, novelist, and founding editor of Partisan Review. Literary critic Macha Rosenthal called him "the chief poet of the American Depression."

Fearing was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Harry Lester Fearing, a successful Chicago attorney, and Olive Flexner Fearing. His parents divorced when he was a year old, and he was raised mainly by his aunt, Eva Fearing Scholl. He went to school at Oak Park and River Forest High School, and was editor of the student paper, as was his predecessor Ernest Hemingway. After studying at the University of Illinois in Urbana and the University of Wisconsin, Fearing moved to New York City where he began a career as a poet and was active in leftist politics.

In the 1920s and 1930s, he published regularly in The New Yorker and helped found Partisan Review, while also working as an editor, journalist, and speechwriter and turning out a good deal of pulp fiction. Some of Fearing's pulp fiction was soft-core pornography, often published under the pseudonym Kirk Wolff.

In 1950, he was subpoenaed by the U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C.; when asked if he was a member of the Communist Party, he is supposed to have replied, "Not yet."

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 20 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
5tardust
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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An open insurrection against the government? Why, that couldn't possible happen, could it?

This gritty 1942 novel delves deep into the chronicles of an insurrection that was leveled not only against a radio station but also against other institutions. It vividly描绘s the events that preceded and followed this uprising, employing a diverse range of fascinating styles and techniques.

We are presented with court testimony, newspaper articles, personal accounts, and much more. Fearing shows great courage in jumping back and forth in time, sometimes spanning as much as decades before and after the event. He keenly pinpoints the seeds of fascism and the terrifying aftermath that ensued.

In many ways, this novel is a cousin to Sinclair Lewis's IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE. However, my only real criticism is that we are left in the dark regarding the motivations of these insurrectionists. Moreover, most of the characters seem rather flat.

On the other hand, as we have witnessed numerous times in the past few years, fairly unremarkable people can easily become part of a mob. Fearing was truly ahead of his time, and I do admire the daring style with which he has crafted this novel.

Overall, despite its flaws, this novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of a potentially disturbing topic.
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sladke
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The final ending chapter might seem a touch too conventional considering the structure of the remainder of the work. Undoubtedly, although I took pleasure in it, Fearing's ambition once again outstripped his ability to fully realize it with this particular piece.

However, at the same time, this very ambition (its narrative structure is not only non-linear but distinctly fragmented, featuring over two dozen narrators) lifts it above The Big Clock in my view. While the latter received a rating of 3/5 from me, this one leans more towards a 3.5/5. It is still not without its imperfections, especially in the realm of plotting. Nevertheless, it is engaging enough that I can envision myself re-reading this work before Clock.

Perhaps with a second reading, I will be able to better appreciate the nuances and subtleties that I might have overlooked during my initial perusal.
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HACKERBORG57
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Clark Gifford's Body - Kenneth Fearing

This work has some significant flaws, yet it still manages to achieve some truly remarkable feats. Kenneth Fearing is not the type of author who simply follows the crowd. He has a unique perspective and approach.

For example, consider the thought-provoking idea of supposing you were to switch the radio with the internet. This concept challenges our traditional notions and makes us think about the implications and possibilities.

Fearing's work may not be perfect, but it is this willingness to explore and experiment that makes it stand out. It forces us to question and reevaluate our assumptions about the world around us.

In conclusion, while Clark Gifford's Body has its imperfections, it also has the power to inspire and stimulate our minds. It is a testament to Fearing's creativity and courage as a writer. Clark Gifford's Body - Kenneth Fearing
This has some major flaws, but still does some pretty amazing things. Fearing is not one to follow the crowd. Suppose you switch radio with the internet?
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vomitjosh
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The original article seems to be missing. Please provide the article so that I can rewrite and expand it for you according to your requirements.
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MyuuMyuu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The prosody of this work is of a pulp nature, yet its structure and concerns, such as the construction of history, are distinctly Modernist. When looking back on the act of reading it, one can't help but find it Borgesian. It is Borgesian in the sense as expressed in the foreword to The Garden of Forking Paths. That is, beside its own synopses and commentaries, the book itself seems almost unnecessary.

I have a particular affection for the back cover. It holds a certain allure that perhaps adds to the overall charm of the work. It's as if the back cover is a small window into the complex and fascinating world that lies within the pages of the book.

Overall, this combination of pulp prosody, Modernist structure, and Borgesian qualities makes the work a truly unique and engaging piece of literature. It invites the reader to explore and discover its many hidden depths and meanings.
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faeryghost
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Experimental, non-linear, and episilatory - this work is truly a ball of difficulty that unfortunately doesn't deliver the expected payoff.

Perhaps I would have had a more favorable opinion if the satire hadn't been so overly forceful. It's hard to believe that the same author is responsible for "The Big Clock."

Both works aim to critique the rapaciousness and society-poisoning tendencies associated with wealth and power. However, "The Big Clock" accomplishes this in a subtle and tense way, while "Clark Gifford's" approach is rather blatant and hits you right over the head.

This stark contrast in styles makes it clear that the author has taken two very different paths in these two works. While "The Big Clock" manages to engage the reader and make them think about the issues at hand in a more nuanced manner, "Clark Gifford's" heavy-handed satire may turn some readers off.

It will be interesting to see which approach the author takes in future works and whether they can find a more balanced way to convey their messages.
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taffydmonkey
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A good, sad look at what war does to those it puts through hell & those it serves.

War is a cruel and devastating phenomenon that leaves a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake. It not only affects the soldiers who are directly involved in the fighting but also the innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire.

Those who are put through hell by war experience unimaginable horrors. They see their loved ones killed, their homes destroyed, and their lives turned upside down. The physical and emotional trauma they suffer can last a lifetime.

On the other hand, those who serve in war often do so with a sense of duty and patriotism. However, they too are not immune to the effects of war. They may return home with physical injuries, psychological disorders, or a sense of guilt and remorse for the things they have seen and done.

In conclusion, war is a tragedy that has far-reaching consequences for all those involved. It is important that we continue to work towards peace and find more peaceful ways to resolve conflicts.

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Soupisekaitrash
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Tragic Satire about the Nature of Political Revolutions

Political revolutions have always been a complex and often tragic subject. They are supposed to bring about positive change and liberation, but all too often, they end in chaos, bloodshed, and the rise of new tyrannies.


This tragic satire delves deep into the nature of political revolutions, exposing their flaws and contradictions. It shows how the ideals and dreams that drive people to revolt can quickly turn into nightmares.


The story follows a group of revolutionaries who rise up against a corrupt and oppressive regime. At first, their cause seems just and noble, and they are supported by the masses. But as the revolution progresses, things start to go wrong.


The revolutionaries become divided, and power struggles break out among them. The once-idealistic leaders begin to abuse their power, and the violence escalates. In the end, the revolution fails, and the people are left worse off than before.


This tragic satire serves as a warning about the dangers of political revolution. It shows that change cannot be achieved through violence and chaos alone. True progress requires careful planning, cooperation, and a commitment to the common good.


Despite its tragic ending, this story is a quick read that will leave you思考 about the nature of political change and the role that we all play in it.
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