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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Странна история с тази книга. Прочетох я през 2006 или 2007 г. Запомних я, забравих я, изгубих я-но я помня. Днес - в 2014 г. Получих не(очаквано) подсещане. Много ценен принос към диаболическата нишка в литературата. Оставя бразда в мозъка. При мен
(Dug review out of the depths of LiveJournal.)
Gideon's story is compelling and interesting but ultimately doesn't mean anything, as everyone else has already washed their hands of him.
Gideon's story is compelling and interesting but ultimately doesn't mean anything, as everyone else has already washed their hands of him.
Not sure what I was expecting when I picked this one up (the summary sure sounded wacky as all hell) but the plot simply couldn't keep my attention for long periods of time. It was kind of a drag, too many of the details from Gideon's life felt insignificant, like mindless filler. I couldn't wait to get to the end and even skipped whole paragraphs at times. Real shame.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
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:
N/A
The ending was a little strange, but I liked this overall. Read it for a book club, not for my own choosing, but I liked it a lot, so I have no regrets.
What a book!! This book was longlisted for the Booker in 2006, which was eventually won by one of my least favorite books, the Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai. Pity :P
I found this an intriguing read not in the least because of the subject matter, which if I were to put in one word (!), would be Faith. Religious for the most part, but also the faith we choose to have or not to have in humanity, in life, in our friends, in ourselves...and how Faith is first and foremost a matter of choice. It's a subject that appeals to me and interests me, always has and the author's chosen style of presenting his story as a memoir, in a simple, direct style made it more so.
I recognized Gideon Mack in myself instantly! I have asked myself the same questions he asks himself and for many years have lived a duplicitous life trying to blend into the herd, until I grew up and understood that Life is all about standing out. I had my 'Stone' moment! It isn't an easy journey and it certainly wasn't for Mack, but I love that he was honest to himself if no-one else (notice how I speak of him as a real person?!). He is one of those characters that I wish was real...we would have chatted for hours :)
His story is weird and wonderful in the way only stories involving Faith and the Devil and God can be. There are no neat solutions nor excessive explanations which give the story a real ring of authenticity and keeps the pace of the story going. My favorite parts are of course the ones where we meet the Devil...he seems just like he should be...by which I mean, he could just as easily be God! Clever that!
A well-written, well thought out book and a true testament to the author's talent! This one goes on my 'Reread' List!
I found this an intriguing read not in the least because of the subject matter, which if I were to put in one word (!), would be Faith. Religious for the most part, but also the faith we choose to have or not to have in humanity, in life, in our friends, in ourselves...and how Faith is first and foremost a matter of choice. It's a subject that appeals to me and interests me, always has and the author's chosen style of presenting his story as a memoir, in a simple, direct style made it more so.
I recognized Gideon Mack in myself instantly! I have asked myself the same questions he asks himself and for many years have lived a duplicitous life trying to blend into the herd, until I grew up and understood that Life is all about standing out. I had my 'Stone' moment! It isn't an easy journey and it certainly wasn't for Mack, but I love that he was honest to himself if no-one else (notice how I speak of him as a real person?!). He is one of those characters that I wish was real...we would have chatted for hours :)
His story is weird and wonderful in the way only stories involving Faith and the Devil and God can be. There are no neat solutions nor excessive explanations which give the story a real ring of authenticity and keeps the pace of the story going. My favorite parts are of course the ones where we meet the Devil...he seems just like he should be...by which I mean, he could just as easily be God! Clever that!
A well-written, well thought out book and a true testament to the author's talent! This one goes on my 'Reread' List!
Weird book, so slow at first, but the details of small town Scotland make up for it. It's a good portrait of the possible way that faith is going in the present. The devil was exactly what I would picture the modern devil: cynical, lonely and mischievous. Good book, but weird.
Jogging-obsessed Priest finds his faith again after stumbling on the Devil. A little too drawn out in sections, and the concept is far more satisfying than what was committed, nonetheless, a decent story.
I purchased James Robertson's The Testament of Gideon Mack quite some time ago, and it had been languishing on my to-read pile for ages. Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2006, this is the first of Robertson's books which I have read, and it will sadly more than likely be the last.
In some ways, this is not the kind of book which I would usually go for, as I tend to steer clear of largely religious content. However, the elements of satire and the unusual quality which the story promised drew me in. Whilst not badly written, The Testament of Gideon Mack simply failed to pull me in at all. I did not find Mack convincing or quirky enough for a story of this kind. His first-person narrative voice was rather vague at times, and meandered with little direction.
I read around a quarter of the novel, but found that it was doing very little for me, and that I did not care at all about its characters. I can see why a lot of readers would appreciate The Testament of Gideon Mack, but it is simply not the book for me.
In some ways, this is not the kind of book which I would usually go for, as I tend to steer clear of largely religious content. However, the elements of satire and the unusual quality which the story promised drew me in. Whilst not badly written, The Testament of Gideon Mack simply failed to pull me in at all. I did not find Mack convincing or quirky enough for a story of this kind. His first-person narrative voice was rather vague at times, and meandered with little direction.
I read around a quarter of the novel, but found that it was doing very little for me, and that I did not care at all about its characters. I can see why a lot of readers would appreciate The Testament of Gideon Mack, but it is simply not the book for me.