Carson McCullers’ The Heart is a Lonely Hunter–Classic
Being an English major, familiarity with the name and talent of Carson McCullers is a given. However, I read The Heart is a Lonely Hunter about a thousand years ago, and saw the movie long ago as well. I remember Alan Arkin’s portrayal of Mr. Singer, but not who played the girl, Mick, or the other secondaries. The strangest thing, I would have sworn the story was about an odd friendship between the man (who is mute) and the young girl. I was very wrong. This story is about many things, and even though I’m only about 2/3 of the way in, it’s obvious that there are parallels to Ayn Rand’s style of political expression as a background setting. Another weird thing, in looking at the top 100 novels online, there are two lists–the NYT list, and the “reader’s list.” Two of Rand’s titles are on that list, along with McCullers. I find Rand’s work tedious, repetitious, and politically driven, unfortunately. But McCullers’ inclusion of these elements are not as intrusive to the story. I just looked up the filmography, and Sandra Locke played Mick in the 1968 film. Also, McCullers was 23 when the novel was published. Strange that I would remember Arkin only, but he was cast perfectly in the role–an unusual feat.
This story is worthwhile, and anyone might enjoy meeting Singer and Mick, if not the others.