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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This books follows the adventures of young Titus Groan, the seventy-seventh Earl of Gormenghast--a role to which he is by no means reconciled. As Titus resents (and occasionally rebels against) his lordly responsibilities, the cleverly malevolent Steerpike plots his own advancement, by whatever means necessary. His schemes take him through the vast expanse of Gormenghast--a sprawling, decrepit castle of truly mind-boggling dimensions. But Steerpike's subtle machinations have not gone unnoticed, and Dr. Prunesquallor and exiled valet Flay are hot on his trail. In other news, Dr. Prunesquallor's spinster sister is on the hunt for a suitor.
The Gormenghast novels are notoriously difficult to categorize. There are definite gothic influences, to be sure, but there is a flavor of high fantasy about the series, even though it contains no magic or supernatural elements (unless you count the sheer size of Gormenghast itself), and no non-human intelligent races (though several human characters seem a mere hair's breadth from goblins or dwarves or gnomes or elves). The focus on the hierarchical social structures, and the 'drawing room' nature of many of the sequences has led some to dub this a fantasy of manners.
This novel has considerably more action than the first book (Titus Groan), though it's still longer than it needs to be. Peake was a poet and artist as well as an author, and his love for detailed imagery and the written word lead him to wax eloquent and poetic (and long winded) as he paints an intricate word picture of the settings in and around Gormenghast. Don't get me wrong--his writing is exquisite. There's just a lot of it, and at more than 400 pages, it takes a while to get through it all.
In other words, it's not the sort of book that lends itself to being read in snippets--it is not a commuter book, nor is it good reading for those last few minutes before you drop off to sleep. It cannot be hurried along. Which is admittedly frustrating, as it takes a while for the action to really kick in. This is the sort of book you read in long, languid stretches, curled up in an overstuffed armchair by a fire on a rainy day or a winter's eve. With a cup of tea.
Still, if you've got the patience (and time) to wade into this tome, it is most definitely worth your while. Peake, in addition to being a skillful (if verbose) wordsmith, has a killer sense of humor, and there is plenty here to tickle your funny bone. Steerpike is a formidable villain, and the climactic showdown is much more compelling (and satisfying) than the more slow-moving Titus Groan.
Bottom line: This book is deserving of its reputation, but it takes significant fortitude to slog through. If you like high fantasy, gothic literature, and comedies of manners, you will probably like this book. Just be prepared for a long and occasionally arduous read.
The Gormenghast novels are notoriously difficult to categorize. There are definite gothic influences, to be sure, but there is a flavor of high fantasy about the series, even though it contains no magic or supernatural elements (unless you count the sheer size of Gormenghast itself), and no non-human intelligent races (though several human characters seem a mere hair's breadth from goblins or dwarves or gnomes or elves). The focus on the hierarchical social structures, and the 'drawing room' nature of many of the sequences has led some to dub this a fantasy of manners.
This novel has considerably more action than the first book (Titus Groan), though it's still longer than it needs to be. Peake was a poet and artist as well as an author, and his love for detailed imagery and the written word lead him to wax eloquent and poetic (and long winded) as he paints an intricate word picture of the settings in and around Gormenghast. Don't get me wrong--his writing is exquisite. There's just a lot of it, and at more than 400 pages, it takes a while to get through it all.
In other words, it's not the sort of book that lends itself to being read in snippets--it is not a commuter book, nor is it good reading for those last few minutes before you drop off to sleep. It cannot be hurried along. Which is admittedly frustrating, as it takes a while for the action to really kick in. This is the sort of book you read in long, languid stretches, curled up in an overstuffed armchair by a fire on a rainy day or a winter's eve. With a cup of tea.
Still, if you've got the patience (and time) to wade into this tome, it is most definitely worth your while. Peake, in addition to being a skillful (if verbose) wordsmith, has a killer sense of humor, and there is plenty here to tickle your funny bone. Steerpike is a formidable villain, and the climactic showdown is much more compelling (and satisfying) than the more slow-moving Titus Groan.
Bottom line: This book is deserving of its reputation, but it takes significant fortitude to slog through. If you like high fantasy, gothic literature, and comedies of manners, you will probably like this book. Just be prepared for a long and occasionally arduous read.
10/10
Titus Groan was one of the very best books I've ever read. It had a fantastic setting, captivating characters, and, most importantly, outstanding prose. It's sequel, Gormenghast, has all of these, and one more thing as well: a plot.
Whereas the plot of Titus Groan seemed to take a backseat to the other aspects of the book (not that I minded, I was lost in Peake's wonderful writing), the story in Gormenghast is driven forwards by Steerpike's continued machinations and becomes exciting to read, as well as just beautiful. On top of this, there was also some decent character development, which Titus Groan also lacked (although, now I think on it, that might have been deliberate, a way for Peake to show the unchanging nature of Gormenghast). In my opinion, it was pretty much perfection.
I have only one, minor, complaint about this book, which is that it didn't seem quite as vivid as Titus Groan. People talk about Peake painting a picture with words, and the pictures from the first book stick in my head more than those from the second. I suspect, however, that this is a byproduct of the faster plot; I spent less time savouring each sentence because I was more eager to read the next one.
Titus Groan was one of the very best books I've ever read. It had a fantastic setting, captivating characters, and, most importantly, outstanding prose. It's sequel, Gormenghast, has all of these, and one more thing as well: a plot.
Whereas the plot of Titus Groan seemed to take a backseat to the other aspects of the book (not that I minded, I was lost in Peake's wonderful writing), the story in Gormenghast is driven forwards by Steerpike's continued machinations and becomes exciting to read, as well as just beautiful. On top of this, there was also some decent character development, which Titus Groan also lacked (although, now I think on it, that might have been deliberate, a way for Peake to show the unchanging nature of Gormenghast). In my opinion, it was pretty much perfection.
I have only one, minor, complaint about this book, which is that it didn't seem quite as vivid as Titus Groan. People talk about Peake painting a picture with words, and the pictures from the first book stick in my head more than those from the second. I suspect, however, that this is a byproduct of the faster plot; I spent less time savouring each sentence because I was more eager to read the next one.
I lived and breathed Gormeghast’s air for more than six weeks, but it was so elaborate it felt so much longer. It’s as breathtaking as East of Eden, A Fine Balance, The Magic Mountain, or Frankenstein. The pace was super slow but somehow it was never dull. Peake would zoom out to describe forests and floods and then he’d zoom in and define exquisite carvings and the color of one’s eyes. I love how it made me pay attention within and without the book. So glad there’s one more.
I understand now why this, the second book in the trilogy, is the one that is on the BBC's Big Read list. I enjoyed the first book well enough, but this book was really pretty great. It is, like the first, incredibly detailed in its descriptive writing. I enjoyed the book even more when I added the Audible version as well as the good old fashioned book to the way I was reading it. It just made this 800 pager go down quicker. There is one, much shorter, book left in the trilogy that I may read eventually. Thing is, this one left off in a way that I was happy with and so I'm in no rush to move forward.
In short, though, intriguing story, very colorful characters, comic scenes, and beautifully written. All in all, another positive for the Big Read list that I am getting closer to completing the first 100 books from.
Discovered a mini series about this trilogy. Will have to watch that. These characters, the setting, and the story are such rich material for visualization on screen that it should be fun.
In short, though, intriguing story, very colorful characters, comic scenes, and beautifully written.
Spoiler
I do wish we hadn't lost Fuschia, however, in this book. So sad. Which is, I guess, I testament to how well the characters were drawn.Discovered a mini series about this trilogy. Will have to watch that. These characters, the setting, and the story are such rich material for visualization on screen that it should be fun.
4.5, because it wasn't as good as the first one but still retains the absurdity and ridiculousness combined with the perfect command of language that made the first one so amazing.
Gormenghast and Titus Groan are two of my favourite books in the world. To read them is to lose yourself in the dusty, crumbling and moss-grown shadows of a magnificently decaying grand world.
Mr Peake creates an aging castle so real you almost feel like blowing the dust from the pages before you read them.
The characters, with names that wrinkle the nose, furrow the brow or make you raise your chin when you say them out loud, are freakish, bizarre and eccentric but oddly lovable. Every voice is alive and so very very strange. Steerpike in particular is so dark-hearted you sometimes find yourself urging the unsuspecting characters to see his treachery out loud.
A fabulous pair of books to read under warm blankets, by candlelight or when you tire of the shiny technology of modern day life. Utter magic and utter madness. If a room in Gormenghast Castle were for rent I would happily move in and fall apart with the rest of its dwellers. I love these two books with all my heart.
Mr Peake creates an aging castle so real you almost feel like blowing the dust from the pages before you read them.
The characters, with names that wrinkle the nose, furrow the brow or make you raise your chin when you say them out loud, are freakish, bizarre and eccentric but oddly lovable. Every voice is alive and so very very strange. Steerpike in particular is so dark-hearted you sometimes find yourself urging the unsuspecting characters to see his treachery out loud.
A fabulous pair of books to read under warm blankets, by candlelight or when you tire of the shiny technology of modern day life. Utter magic and utter madness. If a room in Gormenghast Castle were for rent I would happily move in and fall apart with the rest of its dwellers. I love these two books with all my heart.
dark
mysterious
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
Imagine if Tim Burton wrote medieval fiction, set in an endless, decaying Hogwarts and swirling with political intrigue and strange and estranged royal relationships of all sorts. Can you picture it? Then you're ready to dive into the darkly comic drama of The Gormenghast Trilogy.
Book two of the series finds us back in this surreal haunted castle peopled by a grotesque cast of bizarre characters, now establishing a much clearer line between heroes and villians. Titus Groan, the 77th Earl of Gormanghast, is growing up, going to school, daily fulfilling the endless duties and ceremonies associated with the role he is destined to fill. In the last book, Titus was an idea. Now, he is a person with his own perspectives and desires. And Titus desires to be free of the trappings of endless and pointless ceremonies and the drudgery of a life spent wandering the same few corridors of the labyrinthine ruin he is inheriting. The cast of professors and royal advisors expands and contracts as he approaches manhood and heroes and villains are more clearly established as various plots are accomplished or discovered.
Overall, this story is a little too drawn out for my taste, but when I'm in the right mood it is wholly unique in my experience.
Book two of the series finds us back in this surreal haunted castle peopled by a grotesque cast of bizarre characters, now establishing a much clearer line between heroes and villians. Titus Groan, the 77th Earl of Gormanghast, is growing up, going to school, daily fulfilling the endless duties and ceremonies associated with the role he is destined to fill. In the last book, Titus was an idea. Now, he is a person with his own perspectives and desires. And Titus desires to be free of the trappings of endless and pointless ceremonies and the drudgery of a life spent wandering the same few corridors of the labyrinthine ruin he is inheriting. The cast of professors and royal advisors expands and contracts as he approaches manhood and heroes and villains are more clearly established as various plots are accomplished or discovered.
Overall, this story is a little too drawn out for my taste, but when I'm in the right mood it is wholly unique in my experience.
This book is just incredible. Also I died laughing at the part.