description The Moviegoer Overview
*The Moviegoer* is the debut novel of American author Walker Percy, published in 1961. It follows Binx Bolling, a young stockbroker living in New Orleans who spends his free time going to movie theaters and engaging in superficial romantic relationships. Struggling with a sense of existential malaise, Binx embarks on a philosophical search for meaning during the Mardi Gras season, a journey that earned the novel the National Book Award for Fiction.
help The Moviegoer FAQ
Who wrote the novel The Moviegoer?
The Moviegoer is the debut novel of American author Walker Percy. It was originally published in 1961 and quickly became a seminal piece of Southern literature.
What is the main plot of The Moviegoer?
The story follows a young stockbroker named Binx Bolling living in New Orleans. He spends his free time going to movie theaters and engaging in superficial romantic relationships to escape a profound sense of everyday malaise.
Did The Moviegoer win any major literary awards?
Yes, Walker Percy won the 1962 U.S. National Book Award for Fiction for the novel. It famously beat out Joseph Heller's 'Catch-22', which was also nominated for the award that year.
What philosophical themes are present in The Moviegoer?
The book deeply explores existential themes like 'malaise', the search for meaning, and the dread of everyday life. These philosophical concepts were heavily inspired by the writings of Søren Kierkegaard.
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