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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
medium-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:
Yes
The themes and symbols of this story make the most interesting features. The narrative style, whose most prominent device is the use of stream-of-consciousness, which convincingly enough leads us into the descent into madness of Jocelin, gets really difficult to follow. I know it’s the whole point of the device here, but there are sometimes simply not enough bearings to be able to keep reading efficiently and piece things together as a reader should nonetheless be able to do.
My god, what a book!
A novel about improbable pursuits. This is a book that I'll recommend for two principle topics. First maddess.
Stone by stone. Higher. Higher. Madness stacked on madness. This book is a really interesting psychological exploration of obsession. Both of the ambitions we have and also the sexual obsessions we fall prey to. To a large extent it is also a good analysis of fundamentalism too. But chiefly it is a book that sweats and writhes about in paroxysmal splendour.
Secondly on the act of writing. Page by page. On. On. The writing itself is a veiled thesis on the art and dedication to form.
So if you're interested in madness and literature, seek out a copy.
One word of warning however. This is not an easy read. Golding's writing is dense. It is a product of its time. More a classic work than a contemporary style. It will be a slog in places. Which is why my rating hovers at four stars. A modern writer would be able to achieve the same atmosphere with an added clarity that would propel the work into divinity.
A novel about improbable pursuits. This is a book that I'll recommend for two principle topics. First maddess.
Stone by stone. Higher. Higher. Madness stacked on madness. This book is a really interesting psychological exploration of obsession. Both of the ambitions we have and also the sexual obsessions we fall prey to. To a large extent it is also a good analysis of fundamentalism too. But chiefly it is a book that sweats and writhes about in paroxysmal splendour.
Secondly on the act of writing. Page by page. On. On. The writing itself is a veiled thesis on the art and dedication to form.
So if you're interested in madness and literature, seek out a copy.
One word of warning however. This is not an easy read. Golding's writing is dense. It is a product of its time. More a classic work than a contemporary style. It will be a slog in places. Which is why my rating hovers at four stars. A modern writer would be able to achieve the same atmosphere with an added clarity that would propel the work into divinity.
“At the moment of vision, the eyes see nothing."
Jocelin, the Dean of a cathedral in 14th century England was given a vision by God that his cathedral should have a spire. He eagerly recruits Roger Mason and his 'army' of builders to bring it about. But before the work has even begun, Roger has to break the news that building a spire is impossible, as the cathedral itself nor does it have the structure to support a spire. Jocelin presses on, despite all the challenges of the build. His religious faith in his god-given vision drives him on, as he ruins the many lives of those around him. No one is left untouched by his pressure and some pay a higher price than others.
Before I dive into details of my review, I should say the experience of reading this was made quite a bit more enjoyable by the audiobook by Benedict Cumberbatch. I personally feel the man should switch careers while he is ahead and just record about every single book he can get his hands on. Marvellous voice... Either way, that influenced my review.
The story is awfully depressing, needless to say from the summary of the plot. Golding also has a tendency to write of grimm things. This book did fascinate me. I felt completely drawn in by the total devotion of Jocelin to this ridiculous plan that was doomed from the start. At first, his main reason for the spire seems to be this vision he has but it quickly gets muddled by his own ambitions. Standing on the scaffolds on the beginning of the spire, he realises how far they could truly go, with no regard for the consequences of his ambition. The spire is sort of cursed as well, it corrupts everyone. Pangal and his wife endure the most horrendous things during the time that Roger and his builders work in the cathedral. And Jocelin just lets it all happen, under the infamous motto of "God wills it"... Absolutely terrible but also fascinating to get a glimpse at the mind that drove the madman.
There are some very interesting discussions about the foundations of human thought and our ability to do the right thing, it gets rather philosophical. I quite like that, more of that please. Quite enjoyable, a tad slow but nothing Cumberbatch can't make worth your while. Audiobook is on YouTube, for those interested!
Jocelin, the Dean of a cathedral in 14th century England was given a vision by God that his cathedral should have a spire. He eagerly recruits Roger Mason and his 'army' of builders to bring it about. But before the work has even begun, Roger has to break the news that building a spire is impossible, as the cathedral itself nor does it have the structure to support a spire. Jocelin presses on, despite all the challenges of the build. His religious faith in his god-given vision drives him on, as he ruins the many lives of those around him. No one is left untouched by his pressure and some pay a higher price than others.
Before I dive into details of my review, I should say the experience of reading this was made quite a bit more enjoyable by the audiobook by Benedict Cumberbatch. I personally feel the man should switch careers while he is ahead and just record about every single book he can get his hands on. Marvellous voice... Either way, that influenced my review.
The story is awfully depressing, needless to say from the summary of the plot. Golding also has a tendency to write of grimm things. This book did fascinate me. I felt completely drawn in by the total devotion of Jocelin to this ridiculous plan that was doomed from the start. At first, his main reason for the spire seems to be this vision he has but it quickly gets muddled by his own ambitions. Standing on the scaffolds on the beginning of the spire, he realises how far they could truly go, with no regard for the consequences of his ambition. The spire is sort of cursed as well, it corrupts everyone. Pangal and his wife endure the most horrendous things during the time that Roger and his builders work in the cathedral. And Jocelin just lets it all happen, under the infamous motto of "God wills it"... Absolutely terrible but also fascinating to get a glimpse at the mind that drove the madman.
There are some very interesting discussions about the foundations of human thought and our ability to do the right thing, it gets rather philosophical. I quite like that, more of that please. Quite enjoyable, a tad slow but nothing Cumberbatch can't make worth your while. Audiobook is on YouTube, for those interested!
dark
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unreliable narrator (and Dean of the church) drives all around him to build a spire on the cathedral which has no foundations. As the plot unfolds, we catch glimpses of the actual story, and symbolism gives us clues also. It was easy to get lost in the various threads.
Golding taught within sight of Salisbury Cathedral, which similarly has no foundations but is built on a "raft of stones". The story of its spire, leaning pillars and braces all add to this novel, his fifth. Of all the symbolism I did see, perhaps the most interesting was the conflict between his faith (the vision of the spire and "God will provide") and the secular wisdom of the master builder. Both representatives had their own failings, showing neither to be complete. They also don't complement each other in this case, leading both to ruin.
There is a lot more symbolism, and probably much I didn't catch. These various threads and ideas were tangled (partly due to the narrator) and dense, and I did get lost at times. The guidance of a teacher or re-reading this may help. My initial impression is that [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512] was a better book.
Golding taught within sight of Salisbury Cathedral, which similarly has no foundations but is built on a "raft of stones". The story of its spire, leaning pillars and braces all add to this novel, his fifth. Of all the symbolism I did see, perhaps the most interesting was the conflict between his faith (the vision of the spire and "God will provide") and the secular wisdom of the master builder. Both representatives had their own failings, showing neither to be complete. They also don't complement each other in this case, leading both to ruin.
There is a lot more symbolism, and probably much I didn't catch. These various threads and ideas were tangled (partly due to the narrator) and dense, and I did get lost at times. The guidance of a teacher or re-reading this may help. My initial impression is that [b:Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512] was a better book.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
wonderful read! really thought provoking, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into here. it's about sex, faith, will, morality, with brilliant
imagery that lingers in your mind long after youve read it. im not usually one for “imagery”, but goldings descriptions are so vivid and communicate so much in such little space! its a bit slow in the first half, but give it a bit of time and itll kick into gear. its got an interesting relationship with its narrator, too, if you like that sort of thing :p i highly recommend!
imagery that lingers in your mind long after youve read it. im not usually one for “imagery”, but goldings descriptions are so vivid and communicate so much in such little space! its a bit slow in the first half, but give it a bit of time and itll kick into gear. its got an interesting relationship with its narrator, too, if you like that sort of thing :p i highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy
Full disclosure: I got this book because Benedict Cumberbatch was narrator. BC is an amazing narrator but even he couldn't save this book. I wanted to like this book and there was some hope the more I listened to it but I could not get into it. Time I moved on. If I go more than a couple of days (and in this case, weeks) without reading or listening to a book, I know it's not for me.