MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION (Lloyd C. Douglas)

One of the reasons that I chose this selection for the Vintage Book Club is that I had read Douglas's The Robe (published 1942) three times in my younger years and absolutely loved it.  I enjoyed Magnificent Obsession, which was published in 1929, but I can see a distinct development of writing style between the novels.  This one is intriguing, but written in a note-like style that reminds one of a series of thoughts and comments rather than a continuous narrative.  In fact, Douglas uses "..." heavily in this  novel.

Lloyd C. Douglas was an American minister whose novels focus heavily on themes of morality and redemption.  In each one a man who is essentially godless and thoughtless has his eyes opened to the existence of a higher power and the value of compassion and caring.  Magnificent Obsession was made into a film twice (I've seen them both) and each time the central theme was minimized in favor of melodrama.  In the novel, Bobby Merrick is a dissolute playboy, a drunken party boy whose life is saved after a boating accident by a piece of equipment that could have instead saved the life of the selfless and much beloved Dr. Hudson, who needed it at the same time.  Bobby is slowly made aware of the immense loss felt by the hospital and community after Dr. Hudson's death and comes eventually to realize that his irresponsible lifestyle  has consequences.  After learning a bit about Dr. Hudson's hidden acts of philanthropy and delving further into his philosophy of life, revealed bit by bit in an encoded journal, Bobby slowly embraces a new way of life to make amends to the doctor's family.

Douglas's style is a bit off-putting, but in our era of greed and self-involvement, it's a treat to read a story that focuses on a person becoming better and striving to contribute positively.  The concept of "pay-it-forward' must certainly have been developed as a result of stories like this.  If you want to watch the movie, go ahead, but read the novel first.  It's so much richer and detailed and tells the full story of a man with a mission.