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stonypockets's review
4.0
A masterly dark and disturbing tale.
Like Heath-Ledger-as-Joker disturbing.
Also disturbing: In the acknowledgements, the author thanks someone I assume is her daughter, who had to listen to the novel being read aloud every day after school. Wha? What's her bedtime story, a Clockwork Orange?
Based on true events from the 1600s, the story centers on an evil young apothecary, exiled to the colonies from Amsterdam, who is shipwrecked and spends the next 40 days marooned on desert isles playing God with his fellow castaways.
This is a truly unique read but with familiar elements. There is a strong "Lord of the Flies" element with a generous splash of S&M. The voice and style, and being forced uncomfortably into the mind of a madman, also reminds me of [b:Perfume: The Story of Murderer|343|Perfume The Story of a Murderer|Patrick Süskind|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UJkoYGPpL._SL75_.jpg|2977727]. And the way the victims looked to the apothecary, sort of a modern pharmacist, for salvation and guidance even reminds me of TV's Lost and how the survivors instinctively chose Dr. Jack Shepherd as some sort of leader. But the know-how to heal is also the know-how to poison.
The known events are disturbing enough. But the author does an amazing job filling in the blanks. The chapters, dedicated to each day of the 40-day nightmare, are short and haunting. Historical fiction at its creepiest.
Like Heath-Ledger-as-Joker disturbing.
Also disturbing: In the acknowledgements, the author thanks someone I assume is her daughter, who had to listen to the novel being read aloud every day after school. Wha? What's her bedtime story, a Clockwork Orange?
Based on true events from the 1600s, the story centers on an evil young apothecary, exiled to the colonies from Amsterdam, who is shipwrecked and spends the next 40 days marooned on desert isles playing God with his fellow castaways.
This is a truly unique read but with familiar elements. There is a strong "Lord of the Flies" element with a generous splash of S&M. The voice and style, and being forced uncomfortably into the mind of a madman, also reminds me of [b:Perfume: The Story of Murderer|343|Perfume The Story of a Murderer|Patrick Süskind|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UJkoYGPpL._SL75_.jpg|2977727]. And the way the victims looked to the apothecary, sort of a modern pharmacist, for salvation and guidance even reminds me of TV's Lost and how the survivors instinctively chose Dr. Jack Shepherd as some sort of leader. But the know-how to heal is also the know-how to poison.
The known events are disturbing enough. But the author does an amazing job filling in the blanks. The chapters, dedicated to each day of the 40-day nightmare, are short and haunting. Historical fiction at its creepiest.
alexctelander's review
2.0
In Arabella Edge’s The Company the reader is taken on a most unusual journey, sadly the journey ends up being a boring one. Our main character, Jeronimus Cornelisz, is a psychopath, though of course not many people know that. He is also an alchemist and an apothecary: poisons are his love. From a young age he has been obsessed with killing and controlling people through poisons and potions. Now he is throwing that all away, and with forged papers, is joining the crew on a ship of the Dutch East Indian Company, the Batavia, which is to transport goods to one of its Dutch colonies. Apart from a beautiful woman who Cornelisz is interested in, there is also a Dutch governor aboard and with him an untold amount of riches.
Soon a plan is forged between Cornelisz, the captain, and some of the crew to mutiny, get rid of all the unwanted people (but some of the women they will keep) and take the chests of gold for themselves. Except Mother Nature has a change to make in their plan: an obscured reef that the Batavia will have its hull ripped open. And those who survive will have to make do on an uninhabited island. The problem is none of them know they have a psychopath within their midst. While partially based on a true story, The Company does not really go anywhere, even though it has a remotely interesting story. But then there is the cliché of the uninhabited island along with one of the members of the crew being insane. It results in a somewhat doomed plot, but then if murderers and desert islands in the key of Treasure Island are what you like, then The Company may well be the book for you; just don’t expect too much.
Originally published in June/July 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
Soon a plan is forged between Cornelisz, the captain, and some of the crew to mutiny, get rid of all the unwanted people (but some of the women they will keep) and take the chests of gold for themselves. Except Mother Nature has a change to make in their plan: an obscured reef that the Batavia will have its hull ripped open. And those who survive will have to make do on an uninhabited island. The problem is none of them know they have a psychopath within their midst. While partially based on a true story, The Company does not really go anywhere, even though it has a remotely interesting story. But then there is the cliché of the uninhabited island along with one of the members of the crew being insane. It results in a somewhat doomed plot, but then if murderers and desert islands in the key of Treasure Island are what you like, then The Company may well be the book for you; just don’t expect too much.
Originally published in June/July 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
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