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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
sad
tense
kinda bizarre, but in a beautiful way?? idk how I feel about this book. very violent at the end.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Took me quite a while to finish this one for some reason. Fairly slow to really start any kind of action and really doesn't pick up until the last third or so of the book. Very poetic, rich prose but cookie cutter characters and sometimes stiff dialogue. Elmet and in particular the woods where Daniel and his family make their home is more of a memorable character than any actual individual person. Really interesting themes of property and ownership, family and identity. I felt transported by it.
There was some writing in this book that I really liked. There was a passage in the beginning that hooked me, but the rest of the book didn't live up to that promise. Maybe on the author's next book.
3.0 Stars.
First and foremost I have to admit: what pulled me towards this book over and over again was the beautiful, simplistic, minimalistic, warm-coloured cover. I’d honestly award a star for that alone; it’s a work of art and I’m happy just looking at this novel.
Now for the content, though, which is arguable more important than the cover of a book. The writing took some getting used to, but once I was into it I really was into it. It was weird, but weirdly captivating. A bit choppy, a bit restless, but captivating nonetheless. As for the story: it had it up’s and down’s; there were scenes I deeply loved, followed by chapters I felt completely indifferent about. At times I couldn't wait to turn the page to find out more about Daddy and Cathy and Danny. A moment later I might as well be bored of their lives. I felt torn. The ending was dissatisfying. Still I think I get why this book was considered for the Man Booker — it is unusual and subtle in all the right ways.
First and foremost I have to admit: what pulled me towards this book over and over again was the beautiful, simplistic, minimalistic, warm-coloured cover. I’d honestly award a star for that alone; it’s a work of art and I’m happy just looking at this novel.
Now for the content, though, which is arguable more important than the cover of a book. The writing took some getting used to, but once I was into it I really was into it. It was weird, but weirdly captivating. A bit choppy, a bit restless, but captivating nonetheless. As for the story: it had it up’s and down’s; there were scenes I deeply loved, followed by chapters I felt completely indifferent about. At times I couldn't wait to turn the page to find out more about Daddy and Cathy and Danny. A moment later I might as well be bored of their lives. I felt torn. The ending was dissatisfying. Still I think I get why this book was considered for the Man Booker — it is unusual and subtle in all the right ways.
Published just last year, Elmet has been on my radar for awhile. The book was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize before it was even released, and Fiona Mozley became the second-youngest writer nominated for the prize, as she worked on this novel while pursuing her PhD in medieval studies. Believe the hype. Mozley's writing is gorgeous yet simple, lyrical yet clear, powerful yet restrained. And Elmet is a tense and impactful novel, one I won't forget soon. It is a novel based around a family who, in the fight to retain their home and land, must also fight for their lives. It is gripping and it moves fast. The main characters are so poignantly crafted. The novel has its shortcomings, and some of the violence and narrative development decisions made weren't to my taste. I am particularly confused by some of the auxiliary characters, and the pacing of the plot feels a bit rushed; and at times, it's a bit over the top. But, hard to put down, hard to keep reading, Elmet is a book I would recommend to anyone. 7.5/10
"We all grow into our coffins, Danny. And I saw myself growing into mine."
"We all grow into our coffins, Danny. And I saw myself growing into mine."