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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
green kitchen. such a bizarre and wonderful way of writing. it was dark and atmospheric, as promised, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the character work. such diverse, kooky, and hilarious characters, I loved reading about the thoroughly unlikable, pathetic, and endearing residents of Ghormengast. much love for Cora and Clarice especially. I liked the lack of plot, I only wished it moved a little bit faster. I am excited to continue on, but only when I'm in a mood to make slow progress. a really great non-fantasy fantasy
dark
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
One of the very few books I could not finish. Really felt boring, nothing was happening. Did not identify with any of the characters.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think the best way to describe this book is as a grandiose vibe. The prose is amazing, if not a little inaccessible due to vocabulary, but it is nothing a quick google search can’t fix. The plot takes a bit to get started but even before it really began in full, I was sucked in from the writing and sheer world (or place) building.
I guess I lack the depth and sophistication to appreciate the genius that is Titus Groan. There is so much in modern fantasy that is recycled that something original stands out a mile, and Titus Groan is formed entirely out of Peake's incredible imagination. The ornate style and psychologically complex characters remind me of the better works of Henry James, but Titus Groan is too ponderous and frigid to keep me invested in Steerpike's scramble for power.
The Gothic overtones might appeal to others, but the overwhelming dreariness began to wear me down. A little levity would have improved the experience immensely; by the time I came to the part with the Death Owls, I thought I had slipped into a farce, but the book continued to plod along with dull, unwavering seriousness. "Oppressive" is the best one word summary of Gormenghast castle, but I couldn't break through the thick atmosphere that surrounds what I have been told is one of the must underappreciated masterpieces of the twentieth century.
The Gothic overtones might appeal to others, but the overwhelming dreariness began to wear me down. A little levity would have improved the experience immensely; by the time I came to the part with the Death Owls, I thought I had slipped into a farce, but the book continued to plod along with dull, unwavering seriousness. "Oppressive" is the best one word summary of Gormenghast castle, but I couldn't break through the thick atmosphere that surrounds what I have been told is one of the must underappreciated masterpieces of the twentieth century.
I liked it, overall. I loved the beginning, the strange and gothic atmosphere, like something was always lurking in the shadows, the quirky characters, who reminded me of the Adams Family. The fact that it started and it ended with the same character's pov was a nice touch, because you realised all the changes that took place.
Mr Rottcodd was like a keeper of the family's and the castle's history, in a way. It's sad how he realised that when he finally got that loneliness he desired, he no longer wanted it. And the moment he saw everyone and remembered that they forgot him and the last person who visited him was Flay, one year ago, was tragic.. Unfortunately, after a couple of chapters, it started to feel boring and by the middle of the book, I was beginning to feel annoyed. What saved the book was the second half, after the library fire.
The Countess was an interesting character, with all her cats and birds, but everyone else, not so much. I enjoyed Steerpike's scheming and how he managed to manipulate everyone.
The only character who stood out, for me, was Fuchsia. I loved her, she was a complex character. She loved Nanny, who was like a mother, the only person - maybe -she cared about, but even Nanny didn't understand her or her way of expressing affection. In the end, she was all alone, trapped in the castle.
The prose is beautiful, but dense the chapter with the drunken chef was absolutely hilarious and quite unique. I don't think I've read or read anything similar to this. I think I will continue with the series some other time, because it's a book you can't read just anytime you want. You need give it time.
Mr Rottcodd was like a keeper of the family's and the castle's history, in a way. It's sad how he realised that when he finally got that loneliness he desired, he no longer wanted it. And the moment he saw everyone and remembered that they forgot him and the last person who visited him was Flay, one year ago, was tragic.. Unfortunately, after a couple of chapters, it started to feel boring and by the middle of the book, I was beginning to feel annoyed. What saved the book was the second half, after the library fire.
The Countess was an interesting character, with all her cats and birds, but everyone else, not so much. I enjoyed Steerpike's scheming and how he managed to manipulate everyone.
The only character who stood out, for me, was Fuchsia. I loved her, she was a complex character. She loved Nanny, who was like a mother, the only person - maybe -she cared about, but even Nanny didn't understand her or her way of expressing affection. In the end, she was all alone, trapped in the castle.
The prose is beautiful, but dense the chapter with the drunken chef was absolutely hilarious and quite unique. I don't think I've read or read anything similar to this. I think I will continue with the series some other time, because it's a book you can't read just anytime you want. You need give it time.
It took me a little bit to get used to the style of writing and the overly long descriptions, but by the end of the book, I feel like I know the characters like the back of my hand. I might read the later books, but for the time being, I'm glad to have read this classic :)
I can't stop thinking about this book. I finished it years ago, but it still fills my imagination. It just feels like every character is a legend, larger than life, central to all fantasy constructs after its publication. And yet... I had never known a thing about any of them! Never heard of their names, never known the references, never immersed myself previously in the world. It's like every set piece, every character, arrives fully-formed. If you're reading this review, you should most certainly try to read this book.