Higgins, Colin: 1941-1988

Harold and Maude, 1971 - Before Reading

Before reading the book it helps to understand a few key things—this is one of those stories where expectations really shape the experience.
- 1. It’s a dark comedy, not a typical romance
  At first glance, the premise—a young man obsessed with death forming a relationship with a much older woman—can feel strange or even uncomfortable. But the tone is intentionally dark and ironic. The humor comes from confronting taboo topics (death, loneliness, societal norms) in a playful, absurd way.
- 2. It’s really about life, not death
  Even though Harold is fixated on death, the story is ultimately about learning how to live fully. Maude represents spontaneity, freedom, and embracing the present moment. Keep this lens in mind—it transforms the story from “morbid” to deeply life-affirming.
- 3. Counterculture context matters
  The film/book emerged from the late 1960s–early 1970s era, influenced by:
  - Anti-establishment attitudes
  - The aftermath of war
  - The rise of individual freedom and self-expression
  Maude’s worldview reflects this—she resists authority, celebrates individuality, and rejects conventional morality.
- 4. Music is part of the soul of the story
  If you end up watching the film (and you should), the soundtrack by Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) is essential. His songs reinforce the themes of:
  - Growth
  - Change
  - Finding meaning
  Even when reading the screenplay/novelization, that musical spirit is woven into the tone. Example: Repetition with variation (like a musical motif). Harold repeatedly stages fake suicides. At first: they feel cold, mechanical, almost deadpan. Later: they become more absurd, even comedic. This works like a musical refrain—the same “theme” repeated, but each time with a slightly different emotional tone, showing his inner change.
- 5. It challenges social norms (on purpose)
  The central relationship is meant to provoke questions like:
  - What defines a “normal” relationship?
  - Who decides how we should live?
  - Is happiness more important than conformity?
  Don’t read it literally—read it philosophically and symbolically.
- 6. It balances absurdity with sincerity
  You’ll encounter bizarre moments (Harold staging fake suicides, for example), but beneath that is genuine emotional depth. The story works best if you accept both:
  - the absurd surface
  - the sincere emotional core
- 7. It’s short but layered
  The writing is concise, but the themes are rich:
  - Existentialism
  - Freedom vs. control
  - The inevitability of death
  - Choosing joy anyway
- If you expect a traditional love story, it may feel a bit off. But if you see it as a quirky philosophical fable about choosing life in the face of death, it truly resonates.