The Good Soldier was published in the middle of the First World War, in 1915, and its title has misled many into thinking it is a tale of the trenches. It is not, of course: it is a story of romantic love and betrayal, set (and written) before the outbreak of war. The title came about by means of testy remark of its author. Ford’s original title was The Saddest Story, but his publishers felt that in wartime this would be a drug on the market, and asked for an alternative. Ford wrote back ironically: ‘Why not call the book “A Roaring Joke”? Or call it anything you like, or perhaps it would be better to call it “A Good Soldier” — that might do.’ In 1915 nothing was selling better than books about the war, and, to Ford’s ‘horror’, his publishers took up the suggestion. Ford saw that the real subject of the book had been entirely leached out; it was only partially restored by a new subtitle, A Tale of Passion.
Consulted:
Max Saunders: Ford Madox Ford: Volume I: The World Before the War (1996)
See a clickable index of all titles covered
I have three of Ford Madox Ford's novels - The one about taking on a dead man's personality, The Good Soldier and No More Parades - are any others by him available do you know?
ReplyDeleteAh, publishers and titles! they only think of bottom line profit :) But in the end, as a reader, I'd probably stand on their side: I don't think I'd pick a book with a depressing title (although I'd really like to support the writers on that one, but if I have to be honest, I can't).
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