Scan barcode
nigellicus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
5.0
And since I just finished his short story collection, might as well round it out with one that isn't collected. A particularly dim beggar has his intelligence boosted by matching him with the collective gestalt of the Spponsize Boys, Horriban the clown's miniature homonculi. I was a bit worried it was going to be an 'intelligence is unbearable!' narrative, but it ends up being an exploration of identity and conscience instead, and though ultimately tragic, it culminates with a genuinely transcendant climax atop a high wooden tower overlooking the West End of London. This was published in 2020 - Powers is still absolutely at the top of his game.
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
This is a quick and engaging read; a brief re-immersion in the deeply atmospheric setting of The Anubis Gates.
But really, the genius of that book is in its carefully constructed plot of time travel and body switching, more than in its evocative descriptions of the grim London underworld. Horrabin and his father; beggars and miniature magical creatures - to me, these are better suited as just a few of the many elements of the chaotic past environment in which Brendan Doyle finds himself.
In this book, we instead see the simple and unfortunate Fairchild going up against these same malicious forces. The conflict is of course brilliantly sketched through Powers’ always elegant and instantly recognizable use of language. And yes, it’s thrilling to watch as the protagonist struggles to maintain his integrity in the face of painful temptation - but it’s a limited and short-lived thrill, due to the short story format, and while it’s certainly powerful, I prefer the more hopeful and uplifting side of Powers stories.
So it’s not essential Powers reading in my opinion, but nicely done, and certainly worth reading by fans of The Anubis Gates - in particular for the fascinating expanded explanation of the purpose and nature of the spoonsize boys.
But really, the genius of that book is in its carefully constructed plot of time travel and body switching, more than in its evocative descriptions of the grim London underworld. Horrabin and his father; beggars and miniature magical creatures - to me, these are better suited as just a few of the many elements of the chaotic past environment in which Brendan Doyle finds himself.
In this book, we instead see the simple and unfortunate Fairchild going up against these same malicious forces. The conflict is of course brilliantly sketched through Powers’ always elegant and instantly recognizable use of language. And yes, it’s thrilling to watch as the protagonist struggles to maintain his integrity in the face of painful temptation - but it’s a limited and short-lived thrill, due to the short story format, and while it’s certainly powerful, I prefer the more hopeful and uplifting side of Powers stories.
So it’s not essential Powers reading in my opinion, but nicely done, and certainly worth reading by fans of The Anubis Gates - in particular for the fascinating expanded explanation of the purpose and nature of the spoonsize boys.
scottneumann's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
More...