RIP Erich Segal: A Class Act

I just came across this news. Erich Segal, the writer of books set in the backdrop of Havard and MIT, is dead.

I first picked up Erich Segal 10 years ago on the recommendation of a very dear friend. After 10 years and probably 100s of books, Erich Segal still remains one of my favorite writers and 'The Class' ranks among the best books I have ever read in my life. 'Love Story' happens to be my friend's favorite book.

Of the books I have read by Erich Segal - Love Story, The Class, Man, Woman and Child, Doctors, Prizes, necessarily in that order, Love Story remains his most popular while I like The Class, Doctors and Prizes. The one I liked least was Man, Woman and Child and I have always been indifferent towards Love Story - 'love means not having to say you're sorry' notwithstanding. Love Story is full of great repartees between the hero and heroine but my favorite scene is the last scene where the hero breaks down in the arms of his father. I guess the novel ends with the words 'I cried'. No other writer I have read has created more life-like characters or more scenes that tug the proverbial strings of the heart than Erich Segal. Barney Livingston, Sandy Raven, Andrew Eliot, Jason Gilbert, Ted Lambros, Danny Rossi, George Keller - there was a time in my life when I was intensely involved in the happenings in their lives. Andrew Eliot is one of my favorite characters in Literature.

Segal's books contain some of the most beautifully constructed long English sentences replete with original metaphors. This might sound like I am confusing Segal with Wodehouse - but no, I am not.

Sample this sentence from 'Doctors': Amazing sun, isnt it? Looks like God has put a shiny copper penny into the slot to buy us a skyful of stars.

'The Class' begins with "They looked at one another like tigers taking measure of a menacing new rival."

Here are a few thoughts on 'The Class' and here are a few more on the pathetic Hindi remake of 'Love Story'. I am in mourning.

Comments

[Hari]

Hey Aravind,

This is Hari..

Your blog was Very Very good..I really found interesting..

Thanks to Swarna for introducing your blog. :

[Arvind Swarup Pathiki]

Thank you, Hari, for dropping by. I am happy to hear that you found whatever little I write interesting.