Book Review: " I come as a thief" by Louis Auchincloss

BOOK REVIEW

I come as a thief

A novel by Louis Auchincloss- A practicing lawyer

Setting: New York, Manhattan, During President Nixon’s administration

Parts: III

Introduction

The main character is Anthony Lowder (Tony) in a captivating story on temptation, guilt and confession. He can be considered a middle class married to Lee with two children Eric and Isabel who are poles apart in character. Tony is a lawyer who has tried his hand in politics but failed but his party got him a job as special personal Assistant to the Regional Director on stock markets. He is described as a meticulous worker and very compassionate and caring to people. He takes life as a game. It is from him that we meet the other persons but all are connected to either his family or work life. Tony’s wife is the submissive type and a good mother who is preoccupied with her children’s future. She comes from a well off family, and her father is a tax advocate. Tony has a mistress whom he had dated even before marrying and she is a wealthy lady called Joan Conway. The society is so permissive of infidelity and our current Kenyan society is a replica of them. Infidelity is now a way of life as long as one is never caught.

The first thing that intrigues a reader is the title of which it had been spoken of the gospel. Christ told his disciples in a parable that in his second coming he shall come as a thief. A thief never announces his coming, otherwise the owner would be prepared, and likewise when something extraordinary happens in the life of Tony everyone is taken by surprise. The letter “T” is symbolized like a cross and has a red borderline. In Christian teachings Jesus was nailed on a cross and shed blood so to a reader it is hinted that in this novel someone is going to be crucified, and surely it does happen, though not bodily.

The author implores many moral issues which need to be evaluated based on the object, intention and circumstances. The gist of the moral issues is when Tony gets involved with the Mafia (Lassata) to buy time for a brokerage firm in trouble. And for his inaction he is bribed with 40,000 dollars though he never gets the full sum as he is shortchanged for a debt owed by his partner (Max Leonard) to the mafia. It is pulsating how Tony rationalizes his acceptance of the bribe claiming that through his inaction he is saving jobs and no one gets hurt in the process (Kantian Ethics). It is interesting that his justification later led to his confession of the crime he had done though initially he does not consider it a crime.  When he hatches a plan to confess his crime it backfires on his face and he has to face the consequences. His motive of turning in is distasteful to the American society as it is considered a dishonor and disrepute to the tag of “gentlemen”. In this society honor is measured in terms of wealth and not personal deeds that promote common good. In the end his wife is proud   of what her husband has done even at the prospect of sacrificing his rising political career.

Politics draws and separates families, as the campaigns are energy sapping and it means long hours of absenteeism form home. The moral issue raised is that persons are used to attain political offices so as those who fronted him benefit. Politicians are used as ladders by their cronies even at the expense of the family especially a young family like Tony’s. In the American society as espoused in the book, family wealth and happiness are deemed to go hand in hand. In fact for Tony’s case he was lucky that Lee’s parents did not raise any fuss, in regards to his family’s economic prospects. The author goes further to prove that wealth does not translate into happiness by incorporating Joan and her husband who were very unhappy despite their wealth. Upon reading the novel one is compelled to ask self then what is happiness?

A key theme explored is whether people have moral codes in the society and whether those codes ought to affect other people. The kind of moral code advanced is one that is individualistic and the parameters are set by the person solely and not based on any objective good. The author brings in with a light touch the role of religion and that God is mocked, but at mans point of weakness his omnipotence is recognized. Religion is termed an outdated fashion hence one should not be heard talking of such matters. Also the author explores the possibility of a connection between heredity and morality. But the author dispels this and says that it all boils down to family values and child’s upbringing.

The genesis of the theme of corruption stems from some investment that Tony and his partner Max have made in the stock market. The stock market is heading south hence they are short of money hence resort to borrowing from the shylocks (Mafia). When they are unable to pay they are compromised so as to save a brokerage firm in which the Mafia has a stake (Menzies). It is through this that Tony is introduced to the inner world of financial markets manipulation so as to build fortune.  We are introduced to the insider dealings of the stocks and it is appalling that those entrusted with people’s investments are ripping mega returns. In this scenario morality is reduced to a matter of choice.  I can quote a text from the novel that captures the author’s sentiments.

“When would he learn it was not a question of courage or manliness or morality but simply of choice?”

Fortitude as a cardinal virtue is despised and theft assumes new lofty names like “purl ointment and swiping”.  When theft is baptized it makes it appealing and hence when undertaken is no longer a crime but a “good”. The only person worth of moral character is Tony’s father (George) who is despised by all for being such a person. Because of upholding true honor he was a poor fellow and his wife (Dorothy) shelters everything and makes it her business to inform everyone of it.

The coming as a thief, is described in two instances, the first is by when Joan beliefs that the raising of the chalice in midair is a miracle and this comforts her. For Tony it was the anguish his guilty conscience which he cannot silence anymore. Can people have dual personality? Tony in social circles is presented as a compassionate person but quite the opposite in public duty. The author urges readers to lead a harmonized life such as there is no distinction between private and public life as we are one person.

 Conclusion

Upon his confession Tony is branded a lunatic for following his conscience. Silence is what is expected of him as in doing so he stands a chance of climbing the career ladder and accomplishes great things. The society expects everyone who has done wrong to keep silent as so long is never caught and only fools are caught. Wittiness is the maxim of the game of life.  The author urges that those who follow their conscience need to be accepted and encouraged to do so as to lead freer lives. Tony describes the situation of defying conscience as torturous and   cannot even be compared to family distress, public humiliation and even misery of going to jail.

The author spares the reader the intrigues of the court proceedings, and concentrates on the gist of the choices made in the midst of temptations. We cannot have dead conscience only suppressed and as persons we are open to redemption. God can change people but we don’t know when and in what manner, just like the way a thief strikes. It is a captivating story of redemption of the moral decadence in the society that without morality all is vanity.  Obedience of the conscience is not a shameful thing but a worthy honor.  We need people who cannot bulge even under pressure and tempting situations either in private or public life.