The General (Sillitoe novel)

(Redirected from The General (1960 novel))

The General is a 1960 novel by the British writer Alan Sillitoe. Unlike his previous realist works, the novel relies heavily on abstract symbolism.[1]

The General
First edition
AuthorAlan Sillitoe
Cover artistPeter Rudland
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreWar drama
PublisherW. H. Allen & Co.
Publication date
1960
Media typePrint

During a war a General intercepts an orchestra and imprisons them in a barn where he and the orchestra leader debate the major issues of life. Eventually, won over, the General releases them and is in turn arrested by his own soldiers for disobeying orders.

Adaptation edit

In 1968 it was adapted into the American film Counterpoint directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Charlton Heston, Maximilian Schell and Leslie Nielsen.[2] The film took the overall plot of the novel, but altered it into a more definite setting - during the latter stages of the Second World War.

References edit

  1. ^ Hanson p.9
  2. ^ Goble p.427

Bibliography edit

  • Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.
  • Hanson, Gillian Mary. Understanding Alan Sillitoe. University of South Carolina Press, 1999