Being There

This review focuses solely on the book, as it's been decades since I've seen the film. Chance the gardner is used to prove the point that the clothes make the man. The first impression is of a neatly tailored shirt and suit, excellent shoes, a briefcase that is in excellent shape if quite a few years old. (The suit fits, of course, because Chance is likely the bastard son of their previous owner). Considering that impression and the location (the home of a wealthy man, a UN conference, etc.), people fit his simple replies into their own projections, hearing mostly what they want to hear in the echoing vacuum. Later in the book, governments trying to find out more about him are convinced their must be more because other governments are seeking diligently themselves.

This commentary of people is accurate. Other parts of the book seem tacked on, e.g. Chance's seduction. The novel ends quickly with no solid resolution - I recall the movie improved on this, but will watch it again to find out. For me this was an audiobook, narrated by Dustin Hoffman, who does an excellent job. No verdict yet on this author, though I plan to tackle his most famous work, The Painted Bird, soon.

I was surprised to see that the novella (any change from the novel I read? No idea) was nominated for a Nebula in 1972. I didn't find any portion of this book science fiction or fantasy, or even horror. I also look forward to reading that year's winner - The Missing Man by Katherine MacLean.