I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe May 7
“I am Charlotte Simmons” (2004) is Tom Wolfe’s ambitious campus novel. It follows Charlotte Simmons in her first year at the fictitious Dupont University. It’s about her transformation from an average nerd freshman to a cool and beautiful sophomore. Romantic trouble, coming of age and all, included.
“I am Charlotte Simmons” serves as an introduction to the complex and competitive college life, and it depicts the daily challenges and problems that confront an average student (sometimes if feels like an “Ivy League” for dummies). Simmons, however, is not your average student but a young beautiful and intelligent student, who is struggling to be the best she can be, and leave her mark in the world.
Wolfe is always a keen observer and a master ironist, but certainly this is not his best novel. Something fails. It might be that it feels like your grandfather talking about today’s student life, trying to sound hip and not patronizing. It might be that Charlotte Simmons is like “Legally Blonde” (2001) without Reese Witherspoon’s spark or like “Good Will Hunting” without Matt Damon’s rage.However, Tom Wolfe almost pulls it off. Don’t get me wrong: “I am Charlotte Simmons” is a great read, but it’s probably the least exciting Wolfe I’ve read.
Tom Wolfe practically invented New Journalism in the 60’s, but lately he has crafted neo-realist novels like “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (1987), set in New York, and “A Man in Full” (1997), set in Atlanta. My favorite, however, is still the hilarious “The Right Stuff” (1979).
Juan Pablo Dardon May 7
No doubt about it. “I am CS” has some great narrative chapters, but some of them seems like “fillers” to the temporal voids, in some cases looks like the editors push it to be a long novel, when it would work as a shorter one. Anyway, I still heart Wolfe!
Ronald May 7
Master Dardón: I am flattered by your visit! Yes, you are right: we will keep reading Wolfe, because, basically, it’s fun!