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agisbookworld's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jace524's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty good, disturbing book for sure. The scene of Euchrid's mother dying certainly sticks out to me as especially disturbing, but effective. I liked the character of Beth and did really pity her throughout the book. This book really lost me at the end. With the overly-description and well written gore earlier in the book, I was expecting a graphic fight to the death or at least a significant death to take place. It seemed like there was a lot of build up to "The Day" Euchrid was talking about, only for it to be him sneaking into town, stabbing Beth (which was literally written as a single line), and running away. I was expecting the animals to go wreck havoc on the townspeople, him getting revenge on the people that he was treated poorly by, etc. but instead we got none of that. Also, even Euchrid seemingly succumbing to his injuries and poor living conditions in the end instead of the townspeople being able to get their revenge was disappointing. I did like the implication that Euchrid had a child with Beth in the epilogue, however.
bianca_howard's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
brandonadaniels's review against another edition
5.0
One of the greatest Southern Gothic novels I have read. A cross between Flannery O’Connor and Ian Banks The Wasp Factory. Equal parts spiritual and depraved. Something somewhere between Blood Meridian and Squidbillies. A new favorite.
witchqueen5's review against another edition
2.0
This has probably been one of the most depressing books I've ever read. The beginning wasn't that bad and I breezed through it thinking that maybe it gets less gory and disturbing. However, somewhere along the second part I had to take a break from reading, simply because it felt so heavy and it messed with my mood. I did like the way Nick Cave plays around with words and making certain phrases rather melodious. I would not recommend it to people who get triggered easily or who don't want to get "surrounded" by the dark cloud that is this book.
debonairsaltydog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melfurious's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
I struggled hard with this one. The small parts of the story I could follow were filled with things that were highly unpleasant to read, and I didn't enjoy it at all. The ending.... vague for no reason. Maybe it was too poetic for me?
lycanjamie's review against another edition
5.0
Not so much a novel with narrative strength but definitely an engrossing and capitulating account of the life of Euchrid Eucrow, a deeply troubled young man (with a certain amount of inbreeding) turned messiah whom we as the audience are encouraged to feel varying strengths of grief, pity, and disgust for.
Cave has a firm grip on his descriptive ability, enticing us into a world of juxtaposition - septic grime versus crisp white cotton, omniscience versus ignorance, above versus below. The richness of the text is almost overwhelming.
If you know anything about the conception of this book it is understandable that there are weaknesses in the writing, most notably to me the chronology. I was never sure at which point in Euchrid's life I was reading about, because there are often unmarked flashbacks and flashforwards scattered into the tale.
Despite its unclear nature, 'And the Ass Saw the Angel' is to me a beautiful book, and I mean that in a viciously subjective manner.
Cave has a firm grip on his descriptive ability, enticing us into a world of juxtaposition - septic grime versus crisp white cotton, omniscience versus ignorance, above versus below. The richness of the text is almost overwhelming.
If you know anything about the conception of this book it is understandable that there are weaknesses in the writing, most notably to me the chronology. I was never sure at which point in Euchrid's life I was reading about, because there are often unmarked flashbacks and flashforwards scattered into the tale.
Despite its unclear nature, 'And the Ass Saw the Angel' is to me a beautiful book, and I mean that in a viciously subjective manner.