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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
"The Gargoyle is my favourite novel of all time. Has been published in 2008 and ever since blows away its readers and gives hope that true love will find all of us sooner or later."
Come and check the latest review for this amazing book! https://mylucidsonder.com/2020/03/04/the-gargoyle-by-andrew-davidson/
Come and check the latest review for this amazing book! https://mylucidsonder.com/2020/03/04/the-gargoyle-by-andrew-davidson/
The main guy is irredeemable, racist, sexist, homophobic and an asshole.
Also the book is incredibly boring.
Also the book is incredibly boring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Horrible. I couldn't stomach past the third chapter. I'm not sure why, but this book did nothing except annoy me.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is quite a mishmash. It is a gothic romance set in a more modern time mixed with metaphysical mystery and some of the most horrific scenes I have ever read. It has art, mid-evil text making, crossbow shooting, and a Dantesque descent into hell.
The writing is also a hodgepodge. There are searing portrayals of physical suffering mixed with beautiful descriptions of various settings. Some writing was tight and well crafted, while at the same time there were lines and figurative language that made me cringe at the overwritten ridiculousness of it. (Example - A cheese strand dangled from her mouth to the edge of her nipple, and I wanted to repel it like a mozzarella commando”. Really?)
The characters were dysfunctional and I am not always sure I bought the “great romance”. And there were a few times where I found the side stories more compelling than the main story.
Despite all of this, however, I was still quite captivated by this book. I looked forward to listening to it. I turned things over in my head and the suffering in it haunted me. It was also just plain interesting. There was never a dull moment. I am not sure this book is for everyone, but I do think it is for me. I found it worthwhile and entertaining.
The writing is also a hodgepodge. There are searing portrayals of physical suffering mixed with beautiful descriptions of various settings. Some writing was tight and well crafted, while at the same time there were lines and figurative language that made me cringe at the overwritten ridiculousness of it. (Example - A cheese strand dangled from her mouth to the edge of her nipple, and I wanted to repel it like a mozzarella commando”. Really?)
The characters were dysfunctional and I am not always sure I bought the “great romance”. And there were a few times where I found the side stories more compelling than the main story.
Despite all of this, however, I was still quite captivated by this book. I looked forward to listening to it. I turned things over in my head and the suffering in it haunted me. It was also just plain interesting. There was never a dull moment. I am not sure this book is for everyone, but I do think it is for me. I found it worthwhile and entertaining.
I'd really give this more like 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it! The plot was compelling and the format was intriguing (two stories from two different times being told concurrently). And the author leaves it up to the reader to make final decisions about what really happened - ok, he *mostly* ties the bow for you, but not completely, and I appreciate that.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes