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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
In this 1946 classic, we journey with Mervyn Peake through the halls and corridors, along the towers and walls, of Gormenghast. Ancient seat of the Groans, who welcome the newest member of the family - Titus, 77th Earl of that exalted line. The book revolves around the family and their retinue which we accompany in their daily life in Gormenghast castle and its mysterious ways.
As far as the plot goes, there is conspiracy and intrigue, murder in the dark of night, gloomy rituals and dark secrets to uncover. But you aren’t here for the plot which is, in the case of this book, a mere vessel for the genius that is Mervyn Peake’s writing.
I talk a lot about prose and the importance of the craft of writing. This book is the epitome of that. It’s clearly the most beautifully written book I’ve ever read. The prose is complex and extravagant, his lavish elaborations of characters, places, actions are highly imaginative and descriptive, often to a masterful degree that had me repeating passages for the sheer beauty or absurdity. The prose creates and reflects the atmosphere in the book; gloomy, quirky, whimsical, brooding but sometimes funny, a gothic setpiece fleshed out so poetically, it made me feel like I was watching a Shakespearean play instead of reading a fantasy book. His characters are bizarre, their sympathies and rivalries - which are the only visible development of the plot - are exceptionally, brilliantly and vividly portrayed, and they carry heavy themes like classicism and being imprisoned by tradition.
Reading Titus Groan with false expectations can lead to an unfulfilling experience as this is not an exciting book in what we expect from fantasy today. This came before Lord of the Rings and took an entirely different turn to the genre. Peake’s vision of fantasy was less adventurous and mythologic but rather otherworldly and absurdist, a stylized vision of the past. So from the perspective of a 21st century reader of mostly the ‚Tolkien-school’ of fantasy, Titus Groan can not be categorized as fantasy in any expectable shape. It's literary fiction in a shallow, almost imperceptible fantasy veil.
As far as the plot goes, there is conspiracy and intrigue, murder in the dark of night, gloomy rituals and dark secrets to uncover. But you aren’t here for the plot which is, in the case of this book, a mere vessel for the genius that is Mervyn Peake’s writing.
I talk a lot about prose and the importance of the craft of writing. This book is the epitome of that. It’s clearly the most beautifully written book I’ve ever read. The prose is complex and extravagant, his lavish elaborations of characters, places, actions are highly imaginative and descriptive, often to a masterful degree that had me repeating passages for the sheer beauty or absurdity. The prose creates and reflects the atmosphere in the book; gloomy, quirky, whimsical, brooding but sometimes funny, a gothic setpiece fleshed out so poetically, it made me feel like I was watching a Shakespearean play instead of reading a fantasy book. His characters are bizarre, their sympathies and rivalries - which are the only visible development of the plot - are exceptionally, brilliantly and vividly portrayed, and they carry heavy themes like classicism and being imprisoned by tradition.
Reading Titus Groan with false expectations can lead to an unfulfilling experience as this is not an exciting book in what we expect from fantasy today. This came before Lord of the Rings and took an entirely different turn to the genre. Peake’s vision of fantasy was less adventurous and mythologic but rather otherworldly and absurdist, a stylized vision of the past. So from the perspective of a 21st century reader of mostly the ‚Tolkien-school’ of fantasy, Titus Groan can not be categorized as fantasy in any expectable shape. It's literary fiction in a shallow, almost imperceptible fantasy veil.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cannibalism
While I enjoyed it, it was not a particularly easy read. It was quite slow moving and the few times it did venture into the (really) weird arena, it was interesting alright. I have the omnibus of all three books, but need a break before I start on book 2 - Gormenghast!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a beautifully odd book, I enjoyed it but never found it that captivating. I think that was because it never has that strong of a story, more just is about these people’s daily lives.
But yeah, I’ll read the other ones.
But yeah, I’ll read the other ones.
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Does something count as read if you give up half way in because it just doesn't hold your interest?
I tried, I really did. I know life moved slower back in the day, I know the details are important...the writing was beautiful, but 1/3rd of the way in and I still didn't know what the plot was...life it too short to read boring books.
I tried, I really did. I know life moved slower back in the day, I know the details are important...the writing was beautiful, but 1/3rd of the way in and I still didn't know what the plot was...life it too short to read boring books.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read for 20th Century Brit Lit: Liminal Spaces
I didn't really enjoy this book. I think there were aspects that were interesting, but it didn't captivate me as much as it did other readers in my class.
I didn't really enjoy this book. I think there were aspects that were interesting, but it didn't captivate me as much as it did other readers in my class.
The rating might not be fair. I got distracted while listening to the audiobook. Weird characters everywhere you turn
dark
medium-paced