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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Interesssting? I got made to read this so eegh. But like the premise and structure are intriguing I guess. Kind of a difficult read, specifically parsing the written accent
a heady blend of 19th century theological debates with elements of psychological thriller and supernaturalism that's altogether surprisingly readable. pretty sure this is also one of the first novels to fully implement multiple diverging narrative perspectives that leave the 'actual' story open to the reader's interpretation, for which it executes said technique with finesse centuries ahead of its time (the parallels with bataille's triple-perspective religious/erotic conundrum l'abbé c are duly noted). the ending of the novel is also an excellent depiction of fragmented identity and dissociation with gothic undertones that anticipates the likes of dr jekyll and mr hyde. all in all, a great literary curiosity that seems to have been somewhat forgotten with time, highly recommended.
Said to be one of the most transgressive of early novels, ostensibly the first serial killer text, the truth is that it's a somewhat interesting historical novel that fails almost utterly to horrify on the level of such types of modern literature. Sure, there's some class consciousness apparent, the narcissism of the nobility on full display, they overwrought with the hope that the Jesus of their race would always be preserved (along, no doubt, with their exploitative way of life, as all white European believers are the 'devil in disguise' as described in his reference to 2nd Corinthians 11:14).
Given the times, I suppose I shouldn't have also expected a deep critique of religion, even if it often expresses the violence of it. It's a fairly entertaining read, though nowhere near on the level of Hoffman in Faust (which influenced it greatly).
Given the times, I suppose I shouldn't have also expected a deep critique of religion, even if it often expresses the violence of it. It's a fairly entertaining read, though nowhere near on the level of Hoffman in Faust (which influenced it greatly).
I found this book quite a difficult read and did take a while to get into it. However I enjoyed the different narratives and different points of view given by these. I liked how the Editor's narrative told the events based on know fact and how this set-up the Sinner's narrative which told the same story from a personal and extremely biased view. The story shows how any form of religious extremism and self-rightousness is dangerous and how it can come to dominate a person's life to the extent that they would kill for it. It can also be interpretated as a story about mental illness rather than religious extremism and shows how an obsessive and suggestable personality can become destructive and murderous. I think it is a story about both and how these two things interplay and 'feed' of each other producing the religious zealots that were abundant in the past and are becoming so again today
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this might be one of the best books i've ever read?? is it my favorite? no. but like literarily?? i might be obsessed.
that being said it was also one of the most challenging books i've read in a minute. but it was nice to work out my brain and get an absolutely bonkers amazing creepy story at the same time
james hogg if you ever magically come back to life id love to have a conversation with you
that being said it was also one of the most challenging books i've read in a minute. but it was nice to work out my brain and get an absolutely bonkers amazing creepy story at the same time
james hogg if you ever magically come back to life id love to have a conversation with you
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes