The Way of All Flesh is a Victorian novel written in the ten year period between 1873 and 1884 by Samuel Butler. It was finally published in 1903. It is widely accepted to be semi-autobiographical. The book doggedly brings to light and attacks what Butler sees as the hypocrisy of the Church of England in particular, and Victorian society in general, and is written with an undercurrent of anger throughout.
Knowing that his novel would be a controversial book, Butler did not publish it whilst he was still alive. Butler had a clear, concise style of writing which was appreciated by both laymen and literary critics. It enabled him to incisively present his opinion and know that it would not be misunderstood, or misinterpreted. Butler was also courageous in his writing and wrote things that he knew others would not have the courage to say.
The Way of All Flesh has always been a well-regarded book amongst writers and political commentators; this reputation was solidified in 1998 when the Modern Library ranked it twelfth on the list of the one hundred best novels of the twentieth century.
