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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Elmet by Fiona Mozley is a 2017 Algonquin Books publication.
This debut novel, shortlisted for the coveted Booker Prize, is an absorbing, intense novel of suspense, which draws from the mini-trend of highlighting the lives of those living ‘off grid’, hand to mouth, shunning the traditional life embraced by most people.
Cathy and Daniel live with their father, a prize fighter, in the rural woods of Yorkshire. Cathy is practical, smart, and insightful, while Daniel is a sensitive child who enjoys domestic chores, and art over physical activities and has a more optimistic outlook on life, ignoring harsher realities, if he can. He loves his father, accepts his occasional moodiness, and depends on his sister emotionally.
But, as the story opens, the reader knows that something has happened to upset the family dynamic. As the story progresses, we know that whatever happened, it was catastrophic because this family is close, loyal, and definitely a firm unit, despite their unconventional lifestyle.
This story surprised me. I was mainly curious about it because of its award nominations, and because it was a debut novel on top of that, and because the description of it reminded me of several books I read last year that featured alpha male fathers keeping their children out of school, teaching them to survive in the wilderness, and how to hunt and live off the land, but in those books, the sinister quality comes from within the family unit. However, in this case, the alpha father is making the decision to live away from society to protect his children. So, knowing the threat is coming from outside forces, it won’t take long to figure out where the danger lies, which will give anyone a queasy feeling of unease. I was constantly preparing myself for that crescendo, but I never anticipated the hairpin curve the story would take.
The prose is stunning with strong gothic tones which had me constantly reminding myself I was not reading a historical novel and wondering how the author captured that atmosphere within a setting I wouldn’t have associated with it. There are many themes explored with such a stinging reality, stated harshly and emphatically and unapologetically. Gender roles, class distinctions, and the struggle against poverty is brutally forced onto the pages while the vividly drawn characters spiral towards their unstoppable destinies.
Award nominees and winners often leave me feeling bewildered. I don’t understand, sometimes, what caused a book to stand out within the staid world of literary critics. I end up scratching my head, wondering why the book left me feeling so underwhelmed after it received such high honors. But, in this case, the author and her style of writing made quite an impression on me, and for once, I understood why the book garnered such lavish praise.
Again, this is a book that may not appeal to a broad audience. It is not necessarily the most upbeat novel, but while there is a form of retribution, you don’t want to show up expecting everything all tied up in a nice neat little bow or expecting a warm and fuzzy happily ever after. Despite that, this journey is one I am glad I took. I’d go so far as to say it as powerful as it is unsettling and stayed with me long after I turned the final page. I will certainly keep an eye on this amazing writer!!
4 stars
This debut novel, shortlisted for the coveted Booker Prize, is an absorbing, intense novel of suspense, which draws from the mini-trend of highlighting the lives of those living ‘off grid’, hand to mouth, shunning the traditional life embraced by most people.
Cathy and Daniel live with their father, a prize fighter, in the rural woods of Yorkshire. Cathy is practical, smart, and insightful, while Daniel is a sensitive child who enjoys domestic chores, and art over physical activities and has a more optimistic outlook on life, ignoring harsher realities, if he can. He loves his father, accepts his occasional moodiness, and depends on his sister emotionally.
But, as the story opens, the reader knows that something has happened to upset the family dynamic. As the story progresses, we know that whatever happened, it was catastrophic because this family is close, loyal, and definitely a firm unit, despite their unconventional lifestyle.
This story surprised me. I was mainly curious about it because of its award nominations, and because it was a debut novel on top of that, and because the description of it reminded me of several books I read last year that featured alpha male fathers keeping their children out of school, teaching them to survive in the wilderness, and how to hunt and live off the land, but in those books, the sinister quality comes from within the family unit. However, in this case, the alpha father is making the decision to live away from society to protect his children. So, knowing the threat is coming from outside forces, it won’t take long to figure out where the danger lies, which will give anyone a queasy feeling of unease. I was constantly preparing myself for that crescendo, but I never anticipated the hairpin curve the story would take.
The prose is stunning with strong gothic tones which had me constantly reminding myself I was not reading a historical novel and wondering how the author captured that atmosphere within a setting I wouldn’t have associated with it. There are many themes explored with such a stinging reality, stated harshly and emphatically and unapologetically. Gender roles, class distinctions, and the struggle against poverty is brutally forced onto the pages while the vividly drawn characters spiral towards their unstoppable destinies.
Award nominees and winners often leave me feeling bewildered. I don’t understand, sometimes, what caused a book to stand out within the staid world of literary critics. I end up scratching my head, wondering why the book left me feeling so underwhelmed after it received such high honors. But, in this case, the author and her style of writing made quite an impression on me, and for once, I understood why the book garnered such lavish praise.
Again, this is a book that may not appeal to a broad audience. It is not necessarily the most upbeat novel, but while there is a form of retribution, you don’t want to show up expecting everything all tied up in a nice neat little bow or expecting a warm and fuzzy happily ever after. Despite that, this journey is one I am glad I took. I’d go so far as to say it as powerful as it is unsettling and stayed with me long after I turned the final page. I will certainly keep an eye on this amazing writer!!
4 stars
I really liked this book. It was very subdued - very descriptive and sensory - but I read it so fast because I wanted to know the family would be okay since they never did anything wrong. I grew very attached to the innocence of Daniel who only knew Cathy and his father and judged people off them. It got very fast paced towards the end and throughout the book you heard Daniel's future self narrating which was very interesting and made me want to keep reading. I can't find any flaws with this book!
4.5 Stars
Innocent, devastating, cosy, cruel. These words are what come to mind when thinking about this book.
It’s innocent in that it’s written in 1st person perspective. Daniel is our protagonist and he is so sweetly innocent. We see everything through his eyes and it’s written in such a simplistic manner. His father is always referred to as daddy and he is so trusting. At times it felt like Daniel was younger than he actually was. But that’s just because of the way he has been brought up.
I loved the descriptions of the setting. As a Yorkshire lass myself I could easily imagine the scenery and the atmospheric writing really captures the way the land feels. The scenes inside the little house were warm and cosy. The family is incredibly close and secure when about each other. Simple descriptions about mundane things like making dinner were palpable and real. I could almost smell the dinner haha.
But as cosy and peaceful the story starts, the last third of the book is were the plot really comes into fruition. This is a book about violence and cruelty. It’s a lesson in how life is unfair and how people are treated differently. It’s a story about how things can change in an instant and not always for the better.
It’s a story I really enjoyed and I am amazed that this was a debut. Some serious talent right here. I’m looking forward to more from this author in the future.
Innocent, devastating, cosy, cruel. These words are what come to mind when thinking about this book.
It’s innocent in that it’s written in 1st person perspective. Daniel is our protagonist and he is so sweetly innocent. We see everything through his eyes and it’s written in such a simplistic manner. His father is always referred to as daddy and he is so trusting. At times it felt like Daniel was younger than he actually was. But that’s just because of the way he has been brought up.
I loved the descriptions of the setting. As a Yorkshire lass myself I could easily imagine the scenery and the atmospheric writing really captures the way the land feels. The scenes inside the little house were warm and cosy. The family is incredibly close and secure when about each other. Simple descriptions about mundane things like making dinner were palpable and real. I could almost smell the dinner haha.
But as cosy and peaceful the story starts, the last third of the book is were the plot really comes into fruition. This is a book about violence and cruelty. It’s a lesson in how life is unfair and how people are treated differently. It’s a story about how things can change in an instant and not always for the better.
It’s a story I really enjoyed and I am amazed that this was a debut. Some serious talent right here. I’m looking forward to more from this author in the future.
I found this novel a strange and rather unpleasant one to read. It’s rather like a cross between Thomas Hardy’s Wessex Tales and Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Violent, brutal and ugly, set in a forest copse? Did Fiona have an eye on a screen version perhaps with all the “splatter”scenes? A Yorkshire version of Fargo, perhaps?
Exactly my kind of thing. An incredible piece of work. Dark, grim, northern. Reminded me of God's Own Country, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Superb stuff. Hope it wins the Booker.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
No
4.5 stars, rounded up! I had no idea what to expect with this book, but any expectations were met and surpassed. This was gripping and dark and fantastic.
7/10 I found this to be lyrically written, but a bit too gruesome for me.
Begeisterte Pressestimmen haben dieses Buch in den höchsten Tönen gelobt. Meine Erwartungen waren dementsprechend ebenfalls nicht unbedingt niedrig – und jetzt nach Beenden denke ich: „haben wir überhaupt dasselbe Buch gelesen?“
Die Probleme, die ich mit „Elmet“ hatte, waren durchaus verschiedener Natur. Zunächst einmal sei gesagt, dass es sich hier um einen ziemlichen „slow burn“ handelt. Bis zu dem Event, das auf dem Klappentext angekündigt wird, und dass die Ereignisse erst ins Rollen bringen soll, dauert es über 150 Seiten – das entspricht beinahe der Hälfte des Buchs. Diese 150 Seiten sind gefüllt mit – zugegebenermaßen – bildhaften und atmosphärischen Beschreibungen über das Leben in der Natur und in einem engen Familienkreis. Allerdings gab es auch hier schon einige Dinge, die ich, für mich, etwas befremdlich fand. Scheinbar stört sich niemand daran, dass die Kinder (13 und 15 Jahre alt), ganz selbstverständlich ständig Zigaretten drehen und gemeinsam mit ihrem Vater rauchen, von ihm dazu ermutigt werden, Alkohol zu trinken – und zwar in solchen Mengen, dass ein Knock-Out vorprogrammiert ist, keinerlei Schulbildung erhalten und außer ihrem Daddy (der sich sein Geld übrigens als Schläger verdient) über keinerlei soziale Kontakte verfügen.
In der zweiten Hälfte des Buches war dann schließlich endlich für mich zu erkennen, wohin die Autorin mit ihrer Geschichte eigentlich möchte. Allerdings verloren sich manche Passagen noch immer so sehr in Nebensächlichkeiten, dass ich zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits dazu übergegangen war, das Buch mehr oder weniger quer zu lesen. Der Autorin muss ich zugutehalten, dass es einige eindrucksvolle Szenen gab, in denen sie ihr Talent zum Schreiben sehr gut deutlich machen konnte und interessante Gedankengänge verfolgte.
Hätte ich das Buch bei 80% einfach abgebrochen, hätte ich guten Gewissens drei Sterne vergeben können. Das habe ich allerdings nichts getan. Am Ende wollte die Autorin scheinbar noch einmal alle Grausamkeiten aus der gesamten Geschichte miteinander vermengen – und das Produkt daraus ist unser großes Finale. Abgesehen davon, dass absolut vorhersehbar war, was passieren würde, war ich sehr abgestoßen von der unnötigen Grausamkeit, die dieser Schluss hier noch einmal bekommen hat. Das hätte man so nicht machen müssen – Freude daran konnte ich als Leserin nicht empfinden.
Spannung war für mich im ganzen Roman nicht vorhanden, zudem wurde mit manchen Themen (sexuelle Nötigung eines erwachsenen Mannes an einem 15 Jahre alten Kind) meiner Meinung nach absolut verantwortungslos umgegangen. Das Kind, das in dieser Situation Opfer dieses Übergriffs wurde, stellte einfach nur fest, dass eine erotische Spannung in der Luft liegt und fühlt sich nach dem Akt „anders“. Mehr wurde zu dieser ekelhaften Situation dann auch im ganzen Buch nicht mehr gesagt. Wenn man solche Themen schon unbedingt aufnehmen muss, sollte man sie doch zumindest mit dem Gebührenden Respekt behandeln und sie nicht einfach nur nutzen, um für eine halbe Seite einmal das Interesse des Lesers zu wecken.
Für mich leider ein totaler Flop, dem ich außer dem guten Schreibstil der Autorin nichts abgewinnen kann.
Die Probleme, die ich mit „Elmet“ hatte, waren durchaus verschiedener Natur. Zunächst einmal sei gesagt, dass es sich hier um einen ziemlichen „slow burn“ handelt. Bis zu dem Event, das auf dem Klappentext angekündigt wird, und dass die Ereignisse erst ins Rollen bringen soll, dauert es über 150 Seiten – das entspricht beinahe der Hälfte des Buchs. Diese 150 Seiten sind gefüllt mit – zugegebenermaßen – bildhaften und atmosphärischen Beschreibungen über das Leben in der Natur und in einem engen Familienkreis. Allerdings gab es auch hier schon einige Dinge, die ich, für mich, etwas befremdlich fand. Scheinbar stört sich niemand daran, dass die Kinder (13 und 15 Jahre alt), ganz selbstverständlich ständig Zigaretten drehen und gemeinsam mit ihrem Vater rauchen, von ihm dazu ermutigt werden, Alkohol zu trinken – und zwar in solchen Mengen, dass ein Knock-Out vorprogrammiert ist, keinerlei Schulbildung erhalten und außer ihrem Daddy (der sich sein Geld übrigens als Schläger verdient) über keinerlei soziale Kontakte verfügen.
In der zweiten Hälfte des Buches war dann schließlich endlich für mich zu erkennen, wohin die Autorin mit ihrer Geschichte eigentlich möchte. Allerdings verloren sich manche Passagen noch immer so sehr in Nebensächlichkeiten, dass ich zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits dazu übergegangen war, das Buch mehr oder weniger quer zu lesen. Der Autorin muss ich zugutehalten, dass es einige eindrucksvolle Szenen gab, in denen sie ihr Talent zum Schreiben sehr gut deutlich machen konnte und interessante Gedankengänge verfolgte.
Hätte ich das Buch bei 80% einfach abgebrochen, hätte ich guten Gewissens drei Sterne vergeben können. Das habe ich allerdings nichts getan. Am Ende wollte die Autorin scheinbar noch einmal alle Grausamkeiten aus der gesamten Geschichte miteinander vermengen – und das Produkt daraus ist unser großes Finale. Abgesehen davon, dass absolut vorhersehbar war, was passieren würde, war ich sehr abgestoßen von der unnötigen Grausamkeit, die dieser Schluss hier noch einmal bekommen hat. Das hätte man so nicht machen müssen – Freude daran konnte ich als Leserin nicht empfinden.
Spannung war für mich im ganzen Roman nicht vorhanden, zudem wurde mit manchen Themen (sexuelle Nötigung eines erwachsenen Mannes an einem 15 Jahre alten Kind) meiner Meinung nach absolut verantwortungslos umgegangen. Das Kind, das in dieser Situation Opfer dieses Übergriffs wurde, stellte einfach nur fest, dass eine erotische Spannung in der Luft liegt und fühlt sich nach dem Akt „anders“. Mehr wurde zu dieser ekelhaften Situation dann auch im ganzen Buch nicht mehr gesagt. Wenn man solche Themen schon unbedingt aufnehmen muss, sollte man sie doch zumindest mit dem Gebührenden Respekt behandeln und sie nicht einfach nur nutzen, um für eine halbe Seite einmal das Interesse des Lesers zu wecken.
Für mich leider ein totaler Flop, dem ich außer dem guten Schreibstil der Autorin nichts abgewinnen kann.