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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
It's very well-written in an Iain Banks meets Thomas Mann kind of way but I really didn't care about any of the characters which made some of it a bit of a slog.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Set in present day Scotland, Gideon is the son of the Manse, growing up in austere chilly house with a joyless father. Unable to believe in God and so clashes with Dad. Feels guilt which manifests itself in interesting ways. He is uncertain of anything. Not my usual kind of book and shouldn’t have liked Gideon but wanted to know how things would turn out for him. Less about religion and more about alienation and faith.
Of the contemporary novels I've read for uni this semester, almost halfway through the semester, this is the first that really jumps out at me as still contemporary (published 2007, purportedly relating events of 2002-4) and worthy of serious academic consideration, and not just because of its modelling after Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg, a book I've read but don't remember well enough to seriously compare.
I found the character of Gideon Mack to be utterly believable, but Robertson managed to wholly preserve the ambiguity of what "really happened". I found myself gutted that the testament couldn't continue chronologically through the events the publisher recounts, and the twist in the Epilogue regarding the veracity of some very worldly events in the testament cast a fascinating shadow backwards on the novel.
Though painful to read at some points, due to the failings of human beings, I absolutely enjoyed this book and found it wonderfully challenging to form an opinion not only of Gideon, but of the many ethical issues displayed within the book.
I found the character of Gideon Mack to be utterly believable, but Robertson managed to wholly preserve the ambiguity of what "really happened". I found myself gutted that the testament couldn't continue chronologically through the events the publisher recounts, and the twist in the Epilogue regarding the veracity of some very worldly events in the testament cast a fascinating shadow backwards on the novel.
Though painful to read at some points, due to the failings of human beings, I absolutely enjoyed this book and found it wonderfully challenging to form an opinion not only of Gideon, but of the many ethical issues displayed within the book.
Different, meanders, takes its time. Well written though.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked this book up. It certainly sounded interesting; a faithless minister meets the devil. Intriguing to say the least but was it my thing? I wasn’t convinced.
Having finished the book a few days ago I chose to write the review now to give myself a bit of time to think about what it all meant. I’m still not sure.
Gideon Mack is a fictional minister in the Church of Scotland, as the title suggests the book is an account of his life written by him. In the account he tells of his unhappy childhood living with his fanatically religious father, how he met the girl he would later share a loveless marrige with, claims he doesn’t believe in God and didn’t believe in Him when he became a minister and to top it all off claims he fell into a gorge and stayed with the devil for a few days and that he quite liked him. You are challenged by the author to decide whether Gideon truly led this amazing life or if he went completely mad.
The book is well written and engaging, Gideon is a character I can sympathise with and the story stayed with me long after finishing it, I’m still thinking it over now. It is original and funny in places, it is also thought provoking and tragic. Was Gideon mad or not? I think this is a personal conclusion each reader must come to themselves. For me I suspect he probably was, but i’m a ‘glass half empty’ sort of person, i’m sure others may come to a different conclusion.
This book would be excellent for a reading group as it just itches to be discussed; it also demands a re-read which I will oblige with as soon as I am able. Very enjoyable
Having finished the book a few days ago I chose to write the review now to give myself a bit of time to think about what it all meant. I’m still not sure.
Gideon Mack is a fictional minister in the Church of Scotland, as the title suggests the book is an account of his life written by him. In the account he tells of his unhappy childhood living with his fanatically religious father, how he met the girl he would later share a loveless marrige with, claims he doesn’t believe in God and didn’t believe in Him when he became a minister and to top it all off claims he fell into a gorge and stayed with the devil for a few days and that he quite liked him. You are challenged by the author to decide whether Gideon truly led this amazing life or if he went completely mad.
The book is well written and engaging, Gideon is a character I can sympathise with and the story stayed with me long after finishing it, I’m still thinking it over now. It is original and funny in places, it is also thought provoking and tragic. Was Gideon mad or not? I think this is a personal conclusion each reader must come to themselves. For me I suspect he probably was, but i’m a ‘glass half empty’ sort of person, i’m sure others may come to a different conclusion.
This book would be excellent for a reading group as it just itches to be discussed; it also demands a re-read which I will oblige with as soon as I am able. Very enjoyable
Interesting read. Good story. I wished the end could have been less confusing.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes