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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I never know what to make of John Banville’s (aka Benjamin Black) books. He’s such a talented writer and I love the first 66% of them but then they fall apart. His characters and settings are both so vivid and his plotting seems strong until it’s not. Reading him is like going to a fancy restaurant where the drinks are great, the service is excellent, the decor of high class...and the food terrible despite its lovely presentation.
This is another that loses steam near the end but is also better than most mystery fic I read. I don’t know what to do with him except to keep reading and grousing, I guess.
This is another that loses steam near the end but is also better than most mystery fic I read. I don’t know what to do with him except to keep reading and grousing, I guess.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark, compelling, beautifully written. Warning: lots of racist and homophobic terms used by the characters - probably accurate for the 1950s setting but a bit jarring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Once I started reading this novel (the 2nd in the Quirke series), I couldn’t stop. Near the end, I started to think: maybe I won’t read future ones, events are more gruesome, distasteful than I like but then Black/Banville writes an ending that leaves me wanting to quickly get my hands on the next in the series so I can find out what happens to Quirke & esp to his daughter.
Whether he's writing as John Banville or Benjamin Black, Mr. Banville is a master. Riveting mystery and I love the complexity of his characters.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Takes some patience to last until about 2/3 when things really start ticking. The final twist was unnecessary. This was much better than book 1.
This was a very enjoyable book. Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I will continue with this series I do like Dr. Quirk he is a very interesting character.