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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I read this, thinking that I'd read the whole set, but after the first book I just wasn't interested. I found this a bit tedious, not so much slow moving (I'm fine with lots of detail and not much action) as not engaging.
Excellent. Dense, engrossing detail. Very slow going at the outset, but full of characters with almost palpable presence: so strange and abstract that they hook the imagination, yet realistic in their obsessions.
I tried so hard to read this book--it was well written and started off interesting, but somehow never came together quickly enough for me to get a handle on. So I petered out after only a quarter.
A friend recommended the Gormenghast trilogy to me as a hidden treasure. He was not wrong.
The book is odd, dark, and somewhat macabre but not in a 'horror' sense of the word. Mervyn Peakes descriptions of both the world of Gormenghast castle and the denizens therein are completely engrossing.
I'm not sure I've ever read a book where the setting is the main character of the novel. The castle is an all encompassing presence, almost sentient, and a prime antagonist to the characters. Indeed the name sake of the book, Titus Groan, almost takes the place of the setting, where he plays little to no part in happenings around him but influences all.
The characters are fascinating and deep. It's hard to come to terms with who you like and dislike among them.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if are a fan of deep and long descriptions in the style of Dickens and Tolkien while not being held to the need of a conclusive or happy ending.
One memorable turn of phrase: "And then Mr Flay was forced to hear the most disgusting sound - as of some kind of low animal with gastric trouble, Mr Swelter was laughing."
The book is odd, dark, and somewhat macabre but not in a 'horror' sense of the word. Mervyn Peakes descriptions of both the world of Gormenghast castle and the denizens therein are completely engrossing.
I'm not sure I've ever read a book where the setting is the main character of the novel. The castle is an all encompassing presence, almost sentient, and a prime antagonist to the characters. Indeed the name sake of the book, Titus Groan, almost takes the place of the setting, where he plays little to no part in happenings around him but influences all.
The characters are fascinating and deep. It's hard to come to terms with who you like and dislike among them.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if are a fan of deep and long descriptions in the style of Dickens and Tolkien while not being held to the need of a conclusive or happy ending.
One memorable turn of phrase: "And then Mr Flay was forced to hear the most disgusting sound - as of some kind of low animal with gastric trouble, Mr Swelter was laughing."
A lot of excellent writing. Interesting, well-drawn characters. Just a bit too tedious for my tastes. This first volume does not stand alone, so plan on the whole trilogy. I doubt I'll continue.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This wasn't bad by any means, but I also have no idea what just happened. I would say I should re-read this when I've recovered more from long-covid and my brain isn't as foggy, but I don't know if it's worth the time investment.
The sort of fantasy book that someone who loved Lord of the Rings and wants more of the same style would want to read. Luckily, that's me! I really enjoyed this book.
Dark and gloomy castles, characters slowly going insane, and ghosts that loom the halls, that's my kind of book!