Falconer

Falconer follows Ezekiel Farragut, a former university professor incarcerated in Falconer State Prison for killing his brother. The story chronicles his experiences within the prison system and his attempt to maintain his sense of self behind bars. Inside Falconer Prison, Farragut navigates complex relationships with fellow inmates and guards while battling his ongoing drug addiction. His academic background and middle-class origins set him apart from most other prisoners, creating an additional layer of isolation. The narrative explores themes of confinement, redemption, and human connection in extreme circumstances. The prison setting serves as both a physical space and metaphor for broader questions about freedom, identity, and the possibility of transformation.

Readers describe Falconer as a dark, unflinching look at prison life and addiction. Many note the stark contrast with Cheever's typical suburban settings. Readers appreciate: - The raw, honest portrayal of prison dynamics - Cheever's lyrical prose style even in grim scenes - The complex examination of sexuality and identity - Depth of character development for Farragut Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Disjointed narrative structure - Some find the protagonist difficult to empathize with - Several readers note the ending feels rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) From reviews: "Beautiful writing about ugly things" - Goodreads reviewer "The prose soars but the story drags" - Amazon reviewer "Not for those seeking traditional prison drama" - LibraryThing user "Shows Cheever at his most experimental and daring" - Goodreads reviewer

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey Like Falconer, this novel examines institutional confinement and resistance through the story of patients in a psychiatric hospital who struggle to maintain their identities against a dehumanizing system.

The Stranger by Albert Camus The prison experiences of Meursault parallel Farragut's intellectual alienation and existential questioning within confinement.

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King This prison narrative tracks an educated man's journey through incarceration while exploring themes of hope and human dignity in confinement.

The Enormous Room by E. E. Cummings Based on Cummings' own imprisonment during WWI, this work captures the psychological experience of an intellectual adapting to life behind bars.

In the Belly of the Beast by Jack Henry Abbott These prison letters present a raw examination of incarceration through the perspective of an inmate who, like Farragut, develops his intellectual life within prison walls.

🔹 John Cheever wrote "Falconer" while battling his own personal demons, including alcoholism, and completed the manuscript during a stay at the Smithers Alcoholism Treatment Center in 1975. 🔹 The prison in the novel was inspired by Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York, where Cheever taught writing workshops to inmates in the 1970s. 🔹 The book was published in 1977 and marked Cheever's successful return to novel writing after a 13-year hiatus, becoming an immediate bestseller and critical success. 🔹 The protagonist's name, Ezekiel Farragut, references the biblical prophet Ezekiel, who had visions while in exile - mirroring the character's own journey of spiritual transformation in prison. 🔹 Though primarily known for his short stories about suburban life, Cheever chose to explore darker themes in "Falconer," drawing partly from his experiences of coming to terms with his bisexuality, which is reflected in the novel's exploration of sexuality and identity.