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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I kind of struggled through this. I was really looking forward to it, expecting it would build on the foundation set by Titus Groan, and at first it looked like this would be the case, as the first few chapters remind you of events, reintroduce old characters and even hint that some of the deceased characters will be in it in ghost form. I don't think I'll be spoiling it for you if I say, none of the deceased characters are in it in ghost form.
Anyway, there were elements of Gormenghast that were better and went further than its predecessor, but ultimately I found it amounted to slightly less. When actual things were happening - dialogue, the Prunesquallor party, the scenes with the twins, the scenes with Flay - it was absolutely riveting. But these were few and far between. The rest of the book was long descriptive passages of landscapes, or long scenes in which Titus is riding a horse. I just found those parts really dull, and I often had to read passages a couple of times, because the way things were described made me feel I would need to understand the landscape later, or at least try to enjoy the prose a bit more. But no. I should have just powered on a bit more.
So I ended the book disappointed - both knowing that the final book in the series is considered weak, and feeling that the second didn't live up to its promise. It's still a four star book because there's some real brilliance in there, it's just a little... fat.
Anyway, there were elements of Gormenghast that were better and went further than its predecessor, but ultimately I found it amounted to slightly less. When actual things were happening - dialogue, the Prunesquallor party, the scenes with the twins, the scenes with Flay - it was absolutely riveting. But these were few and far between. The rest of the book was long descriptive passages of landscapes, or long scenes in which Titus is riding a horse. I just found those parts really dull, and I often had to read passages a couple of times, because the way things were described made me feel I would need to understand the landscape later, or at least try to enjoy the prose a bit more. But no. I should have just powered on a bit more.
So I ended the book disappointed - both knowing that the final book in the series is considered weak, and feeling that the second didn't live up to its promise. It's still a four star book because there's some real brilliance in there, it's just a little... fat.
dark
reflective
sad
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot wise, it succeeded Titus Groan, Iād say, moved a lot faster about halfway through. Language and prose top tier. A lot darker and more sad than the first, but just as well done. The end hit hard, makes me want to jump into the third book immediately!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyed this more than the first. There are some unforgettable characters in this trilogy š
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gormenghast is an unpredictable drama, from professors to lords to everything in between. I was in turn horrified and delighted- but I was always interested. Extra points for Irma, who is my favorite.
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Well this was much better than Titus Groan and definitely picked up where the first left off, in both style and substance. This book finds Titus dealing with many conspiracies and counter-conspiracies along with the deaths of his closest family and friends and a potential life locked in ritual and duty. There is still a lot of detail throughout the book but as the story itself is much more exciting, having done most of the staging and character establishment in the first novel, this isn't quite so bad and does help build up the world of Gormenghast including the heavy atmosphere and sense of claustrophobia found within the castle walls. So glad I carried on with the series!