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novabird's review against another edition
4.0
“Headhunter,” is placed somewhere in the near future. Too close for comfort, I would say as this social dystopian novel looks at two elements; 1. species extinction as hallmarks for environmental collapse almost as closely as it examines the background behind 2. child pornography. (It asks the questions we find hard to ask as a community – what is the difference between deliberate apathy and obedience by likening the turning of a blind eye towards the bird pandemic and when society ignored the first signposts of AIDS.) These two elements are the axis of ‘evils,’ that collude and conspire within this Torontonian futuristic setting. Kurtz and Marlowe are brought forward from the, ‘Heart of Darkness,' to play their roles of evil vs. good. Birds and children symbolize innocence and in a sense, Findley is commenting on the loss of innocence. Secondary characters reveal added dimensions to the overall plot by pushing at the boundaries of madness, which beg questions. When does madness become evil?
I am not a fan of early ‘reveal,’ of the nemesis or antagonist as it surely predicts the necessity of doing away with this character in some manner.
Still Findley’s writing is one that commands attention and places it within a 360 degree arena/stage, where detail is perfectly wrought and balanced with succinctness. Now that I have discovered what Findley’s elusive style of writing was, I can bump up my previous ratings of his works with greater confidence. What a perfect balanced writing style Findley had and what a loss to Canadian culture. I have finally encountered Timothy Findley’s writing and I am looking forward to reading more of his works. 4.5
I am not a fan of early ‘reveal,’ of the nemesis or antagonist as it surely predicts the necessity of doing away with this character in some manner.
Still Findley’s writing is one that commands attention and places it within a 360 degree arena/stage, where detail is perfectly wrought and balanced with succinctness. Now that I have discovered what Findley’s elusive style of writing was, I can bump up my previous ratings of his works with greater confidence. What a perfect balanced writing style Findley had and what a loss to Canadian culture. I have finally encountered Timothy Findley’s writing and I am looking forward to reading more of his works. 4.5
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a long time to like this book. As much as I love books set in Toronto - and I loved that about this book I found that it took a long time to pull together to a point where I was enjoying the story. I really enjoyed the last 100pages or so - It was more the ideas and questions raised in the book that I found the most compelling rather than the story or the characters.
fellumhistane's review against another edition
5.0
Headhunter was a great dive into a myth-like Toronto inhabited by the ghosts of our favorite reading material. At once a tribute to the great characters that have all guided our lives, and a dark but necessary look at the inherent madness we ourselves impose on our society.
juliability's review against another edition
5.0
Southern Ontario Gothic at its finest—unsurprisingly, since Findley coined the term! I’m not sure if this would hit quite as hard if you didn’t get the Toronto references, but it was bizarre and mind boggling and came together in such a satisfying Agatha Christie-esque fashion. Tell me Canadian literature is boring one more time…
bookthia's review against another edition
2.0
Findlay is brilliant, but this wasn't one of my faves of his. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it. The parallels between this book and Heart of Darkness were fascinating. The discussion of 'madness' was interesting as well. The part I struggled with was the extremely disturbing sexual behaviours of some of the characters. I realize that to explore a theme of 'sex as power' these character's behaviours were necessary to the book, but it was just too edgy for me in some places.I found the ending to be a bit weak. Anti-climactic almost. I think that is because I wanted punishment and there wasn't any. Or at least one that I felt was suitable to the crimes committed.Still... some brilliant reflections and passages, and fodder for some deep social discussion.
apostrophen's review
4.0
Liliah Kemp, librarian, spiritualist, schizophrenic, inadvertently lets Kurtz out of page 92 of "Heart of Darkness" and onto the streets of a slightly future-set Toronto streets.
The counterpoint of "Is she just insane or not?" comes into focus when the city suddenly starts falling apart, with flocks of disease-carrying birds, the rich are becoming even more depraved, and Lilah tries to hunt down a Marlow... And is Kurtz the new head of the psychiatric hospital?
Awesome reading experience.
The counterpoint of "Is she just insane or not?" comes into focus when the city suddenly starts falling apart, with flocks of disease-carrying birds, the rich are becoming even more depraved, and Lilah tries to hunt down a Marlow... And is Kurtz the new head of the psychiatric hospital?
Awesome reading experience.
kajury's review
3.0
I didn't particularly enjoy the reading of this book, but I know it will stay with me and not soon be forgotten, which, to my mind, is the mark of a good book.
athenalindia's review
4.0
Headhunter is not a book to read if you want the word "settled" to enter your vocabulary any time in the near future. It is perhaps as unsettling a book as I am willing to read, and yet, I've read it three or four times now. It keeps drawing me back, for all its horror.
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
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