Courtneybelle is a genius -- Frobisher is totally a 1930s Euro hipster.
So guys, Frobisher's just making up his exploits to make Sixsmith jealous, right? We must discuss over PBRs.
And I agree -- despite my best efforts to dislike the cad, Frobisher's just too hilarious and lovable. My favorite scene is just after he sells the rare books (&c.) to Jansch and exclaims "Sweet bird of solvency," then blows his wad on new spats, a sharkskin cigarette box, and beers. Adorable. And he slays me with his truisms: "Whoever opined, 'Money can't buy you happiness,' obviously had far too much of the stuff.'" So true!
Other glimmerings of doubles & pairings: Jansch calls Frobisher "a naughty goose who lays such illuminated eggs." Are we to infer parallels between Frobisher and Dr. Goose of the Thomas Ewing journals?
And fellow readers, I hope you appreciate the restraint I'm exercising in order not to discuss feminism in the context of Mrs. Crommelyncks and equestrian transformation motifs in The Mabinogian & Ukrainian folklore. Can't wait to meet Luisa Rey in section three!
Didn't catch the goose reference at all, but Frobisher is definitely paralleled in later characters.
ReplyDeleteContemporary scenesters could learn much from his distinction between "idlers" and "sluggards."