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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
Setterfield seems more comfortable in her own writing in this than she was in The Thirteenth Tale.
Bellman & Black was my first foray into the mind and writing of Diane Setterfield. I have heard countless recommendations and praise regarding her earlier work, The Thirteenth Tale and decided to take a chance. The writing is beautiful, dark and unsettling at times. Mini review: atmospheric, dark, clever, and unsettling.
The tale begins when we meet our protagonists as he revisits the summer he and his friends were eleven. It was a summer of magic, of boys being boys, of limited possibilities. It was also when, with his well crafted sling-shot, he took aim and made an impossible shot; killing a black rook. It is a deed that will haunt him and overshadow events throughout his life. Described as a ghost story, it is more than that, as our protagonist William Bellman struggles with the demons that dance in his self-conscious. This was an odd tale of one man’s life, reminiscent of Charles Dickens and perhaps written in an attempt to capture the dark beauty that is, Edgar Allen Poe.
William Bellman is an odd man, complex, driven, haunted and an unreliable narrator. The man was haunted, in particular by events and a mystery man named Black. Tragedy and loss, success and restlessness, haunt our protagonist. While I cannot say I ever warmed up to William, I certainly experienced his emotions. I couldn’t help but wonder if William was simply disturbed, or if he was truly plagued, making the tale compelling and unsettling. We meet his family, and other characters that help shape our opinions and reveal sides of William. The characters William interacts with aren’t fleshed out, including his daughter who herself was an odd creature. I was intrigued by her, and wish her presence was more in-depth. There are love interests, but even those are overshadowed by William’s thoughts and drive.
Bellman & Black was beautifully written, wholly character driven and deliciously strange. Fans of Hitchcock and Poe will enjoy its odd nuances. The tale takes us through William’s life from the darkest to the brightest moments. We get caught up in his emotions, drive, fears and perhaps paranoia. The plot itself moves at a meandering pace, with heightened moments as we travel towards meeting Black. Throughout the book, we are given information about the Rook all of which I found fascinating. As I read I had a sense of foreboding, and constantly wondered as to William’s state of mind. This book was never boring, but the pacing may disappoint some. I am a huge fan of Poe and Dickens and some of the author’s dark and atmospheric passages regarding death and loss captured their essence. This is not your typical ghost story, and I am even hesitant to mention that, since I feel it will mislead the reader. Refreshing and different Bellman & Black was a tale that I enjoyed but fear it will only appeal to a unique audience. I would be selective as to whom I would recommend it.
Bellman & Black was a dark tale that will unsettle and fascinate the reader. It is not one you will read at a maddening pace, or become euphoric after reading. Instead it will make you ponder, and the next time you see a Rook, you might stop and pause.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The tale begins when we meet our protagonists as he revisits the summer he and his friends were eleven. It was a summer of magic, of boys being boys, of limited possibilities. It was also when, with his well crafted sling-shot, he took aim and made an impossible shot; killing a black rook. It is a deed that will haunt him and overshadow events throughout his life. Described as a ghost story, it is more than that, as our protagonist William Bellman struggles with the demons that dance in his self-conscious. This was an odd tale of one man’s life, reminiscent of Charles Dickens and perhaps written in an attempt to capture the dark beauty that is, Edgar Allen Poe.
William Bellman is an odd man, complex, driven, haunted and an unreliable narrator. The man was haunted, in particular by events and a mystery man named Black. Tragedy and loss, success and restlessness, haunt our protagonist. While I cannot say I ever warmed up to William, I certainly experienced his emotions. I couldn’t help but wonder if William was simply disturbed, or if he was truly plagued, making the tale compelling and unsettling. We meet his family, and other characters that help shape our opinions and reveal sides of William. The characters William interacts with aren’t fleshed out, including his daughter who herself was an odd creature. I was intrigued by her, and wish her presence was more in-depth. There are love interests, but even those are overshadowed by William’s thoughts and drive.
Bellman & Black was beautifully written, wholly character driven and deliciously strange. Fans of Hitchcock and Poe will enjoy its odd nuances. The tale takes us through William’s life from the darkest to the brightest moments. We get caught up in his emotions, drive, fears and perhaps paranoia. The plot itself moves at a meandering pace, with heightened moments as we travel towards meeting Black. Throughout the book, we are given information about the Rook all of which I found fascinating. As I read I had a sense of foreboding, and constantly wondered as to William’s state of mind. This book was never boring, but the pacing may disappoint some. I am a huge fan of Poe and Dickens and some of the author’s dark and atmospheric passages regarding death and loss captured their essence. This is not your typical ghost story, and I am even hesitant to mention that, since I feel it will mislead the reader. Refreshing and different Bellman & Black was a tale that I enjoyed but fear it will only appeal to a unique audience. I would be selective as to whom I would recommend it.
Bellman & Black was a dark tale that will unsettle and fascinate the reader. It is not one you will read at a maddening pace, or become euphoric after reading. Instead it will make you ponder, and the next time you see a Rook, you might stop and pause.
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Ugh. This was not the book for me. I didn't enjoy reading it... just kind of wondering the whole time what the point of the book was and where the story/plot was.
William Bellman kills a rook as a boy of ten; as a man he finds his life’s tragedies forever entwined with the appearance of these birds. He works hard and has a nose for business, but all the success and money he acquires does not spare him the loss of his loved ones. In the throes of deepest grief he makes a deal with the mysterious Mr. Black - a deal that consumes Bellman until his dying day.
Bellman & Black is very well written and the words on the page have an almost lyrical quality that make for very pleasant reading. But, for all the book’s gorgeously crafted prose, it wasn't what I expected. The cover calls it a ghost story, and it is – for some meanings of ghost story. It is for sure the story of a man haunted – but the ghosts in this story are not the kind that say “boo”; they are the ghosts of past wrongs, of loved ones lost, of the unreasonable and unavoidable nature of death, and of wasted opportunities.
The story’s setting is fascinatingly rich with details that really anchor the tale with the earthly realities of running a mill and of building and establishing a huge department store from the ground up. This well-set reality helps to make the ill-omened appearances of the rooks and of Mr. Black stand out sinisterly in contrast.
Bellman & Black was slow going at times, but to me it was well worth it to follow Bellman’s journey all the way through. I went into this book looking for something different, a ghost story, but I came out the other side ultimately content that it was what it was: a haunting, ominous tale of looking for meaning in tragedy and trying to bargain your way out.
All in all, I recommend Bellman & Black to fans of gothic, literary fiction and encourage readers to stick with it to the end – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
*I received a free ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
Bellman & Black is very well written and the words on the page have an almost lyrical quality that make for very pleasant reading. But, for all the book’s gorgeously crafted prose, it wasn't what I expected. The cover calls it a ghost story, and it is – for some meanings of ghost story. It is for sure the story of a man haunted – but the ghosts in this story are not the kind that say “boo”; they are the ghosts of past wrongs, of loved ones lost, of the unreasonable and unavoidable nature of death, and of wasted opportunities.
The story’s setting is fascinatingly rich with details that really anchor the tale with the earthly realities of running a mill and of building and establishing a huge department store from the ground up. This well-set reality helps to make the ill-omened appearances of the rooks and of Mr. Black stand out sinisterly in contrast.
Bellman & Black was slow going at times, but to me it was well worth it to follow Bellman’s journey all the way through. I went into this book looking for something different, a ghost story, but I came out the other side ultimately content that it was what it was: a haunting, ominous tale of looking for meaning in tragedy and trying to bargain your way out.
All in all, I recommend Bellman & Black to fans of gothic, literary fiction and encourage readers to stick with it to the end – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
*I received a free ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
I did enjoy this book, but I'm really glad that I read the author's notes at the end when I'd finished as I had spent most of the book unsettled by the suggestion that William's life was blighted by a single act as a 10 year old boy. Perhaps I missed the clues, but clearly I could have used more signposting to the underlying thread of why William behaved as he did. That said, I would still recommend this book, and I found all of the little rook facts fascinating.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A heartbreaking tale with joy and sorrow, and the consequences of ignoring one's emotions.
Didn't love this story as much as Once Upon A River or The Thirteenth Tale by the same author
Didn't love this story as much as Once Upon A River or The Thirteenth Tale by the same author
4.5 Diane Setterfield really brings this book together at the end. It was a bit slow getting started, but it is beautifully written, and worth the time.
Meh. I expected...more. Some interesting play with death omens, but not enough to overcome the dense language and lack of direction.
2.5 stars. Some books have a really great first 1/3 or so - you get to know the characters, you become invested in the story, and you can't wait to see what happens. Bellman and Black was like that, only for the whole book. We were being told about the characters and their lives, introduced to their personalities, quirks, and struggles ... and that's all we got. The story never really started or got going. I did read it compulsively because I kept thinking "ok, NOW it's going to start." But it never did. I'm disappointed. This is definitely no Thirteenth Tale.