The result is fascinating but frustrating.

Question

http://vva.org/veteran/0607/books.html

In the article about Pham Xuan An, they said:

n this first full-length English language biography of Pham Xuan An, Larry Berman explores An’s life sympathetically and with verve. A professor at the University of California, Davis, historian, and author (No Peace, No Honor: Nixon, Kissinger and Betrayal in Vietnam), Berman is well-equipped for this story. He met An at a dinner in Ho Chi Minh City, became fascinated with him, and made a succession of visits to further their acquaintance. Along the way, he achieved unparalleled access to his subject and became his authorized biographer. The result is fascinating but frustrating.

What does but mean here in the last sentence?

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

however

Feebs11 · Answer

I would suggest "it is fascinating but [it is also] frustrating".

Belly · Answer

I'm with you, Feebs. But I haven't seen but used in that way

Nona the brit · Answer

It's quite a common use when you have what might seem to be conflicting views/feelings about something.

For example - fascinating (I found this extremely interesting) but frustrating (but I also felt some negative emotions) - so you both enjoyed it and didn't enjoy it at the same time!

Examples

The shoes are comfortable but frumpy (I like them for their comfort but I don't like their looks).

The children are naughty but cute.

The biography of Byron was thorough but badly-written.

Belly · Answer

So it does mean however here, nona?

can I say: He is handsome but smart?

Hoa Thai · Answer

BellySo it does mean however here, nona?

can I say: He is handsome but smart?

Hi Belly,

That sounds odd.

Use 'but' when the two phrases / clauses / ideas of the two sides are opposite (e.g., beautiful but insensitive / handsome but ill-tempered).
Use 'and' when the two phrases / clauses / ideas of the two sides augment or compliment each other (e.g., beautiful and caring / handsome and smart).

Best wishes,
Hoa Thai

CalifJim · Answer

can I say: He is handsome but smart?

That doesn't work so well. handsome and smart are both positives, so you don't have enough contrast to necessitate the use of but. However, if you do say handsome but smart you are showing that you believe that handsome men are generally not smart.

For example, rich and healthy are both positives. In contrast, poor and sick are negatives.

So you can have: rich but sick or poor but healthy or sick but rich or healthy but poor.
But it makes less sense to say rich but healthy or healthy but rich or poor but sick or sick but poor.

CJ

Hoa Thai · Answer

Thanks, CaliJim!

'Contrast' is much better word then 'opposite'.

Happy New Year,
Hoa Thai

The result is fascinating but frustrating.

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