Book description
The hero of this astonishing novel is called Chance - he may be the man of tomorrow. Flung into the real world when his rich benefactor dies, Chance is helped on his life journey by Elizabeth Eve, the young, beautiful, resourceful wife of a dying Wall Street mogul. Accidentally launched…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Being There as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Chance is an illiterate gardener with childlike social limitations who, nevertheless, through being forced to move from the residence he has known for much of his adult life, is let out into the world and, thus, stumbles into the life of a respected political advisor (Rand).
As a result of this association, his scant vocabulary and phrasing eventually becomes mistaken for wisdom – and soon he becomes somewhat of a media phenomenon, despite his mental limitations rendering him incapable of any real awareness of being so. A truly inspiring idea, depicting in a unique and humorous way how celebrity can…
From Daniel's list on exploring solitary characters.
Whatever the allegations of fraud and plagiarism against Kosinski, Being There remains a great satirical novel about a man thrown out into the modern world after a life of total isolation.
In this brief, funny book, Chance, a gardener totally innocent of the world and its ways, becomes an influential political figure, seen as a brilliant oracle based on wild misinterpretations of his simple observations about gardening, the only reality he knows. I worked in politics for years and see some truth behind the laughs.
From Stephen's list on strangers in a strange land.
If you love Being There...
These Blue Mountains
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…
Want books like Being There?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 88 books like Being There.
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,366
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Being There, you might also like...
The Duke's Christmas Redemption
A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.
Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…
Coyote Weather
Coyote weather is the feral, hungry season, drought-stricken, and ready to catch fire. It’s 1967, and the American culture is violently remaking itself while the country is forcibly sending its young men to fight in a deeply unpopular war.
Jerry has stubbornly made no plans for the future because he…
