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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you ever wanted to know more about the workings of a Victorian cloth mill and the funeral industry, this is the primer for you. If you’re looking for the ghost story promised on the cover, it probably isn’t.
Not at all what I expected, beautifully written if incredibly slow, frequently tedious in its detail and rather moralistic. Live a bit, folks, and appreciate your life and your people while you’re living.
Not at all what I expected, beautifully written if incredibly slow, frequently tedious in its detail and rather moralistic. Live a bit, folks, and appreciate your life and your people while you’re living.
I was very looking forward to getting this book. I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale, and love a good ghost story, Unfortunately, I was very disappointed in Bellman & Black. Yes, it was very well written, but it was actually quite a boring story, and I had to force myself to finish.
I kept thinking it must have an exciting twist ending, but no. Was it descriptive and true to the time? yes. Did I learn about the start and growth of the funeral/mourning business? more than I ever wanted to. Was I excited each night to read about Bellman, nope. Did the things happening feel scary or creepy, nope. The Reappearances of rooks, and a mysterious partner doesn't a ghost story make. Stick with The Thirteenth Tale if you want to read Setterfield.
I kept thinking it must have an exciting twist ending, but no. Was it descriptive and true to the time? yes. Did I learn about the start and growth of the funeral/mourning business? more than I ever wanted to. Was I excited each night to read about Bellman, nope. Did the things happening feel scary or creepy, nope. The Reappearances of rooks, and a mysterious partner doesn't a ghost story make. Stick with The Thirteenth Tale if you want to read Setterfield.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
To begin, this book is not The Thirteenth Tale. I admit that I wanted to read it mostly because I loved that novel, but this is in no way a follow up or a development of that theme. Although, I suppose both deal with hauntings, of a sort. Anyway, I digress.
Bellman & Black tells of William Bellman, beginning ominously on his deathbed before going back to follow the key moments of his life, from childhood through to middle-aged adulthood. It has been referred to as a ghost story, which is true (although not in the traditional sense), but I actually feel that it is a gothic novel, complete with lots and lots of black detailing. There is a huge focus on death - in the first half, the moments in which death appears in William's life, including that of a rook he killed as a boy, his grandfather, his mother, his uncle, his wife and children, and friends. The second half is centred on the Victorian death industry - mourning wear, funerals, the whole shebang. It's fascinating. Throughout, William is haunted by Mr Black, who first appears at the funerals of his loved ones, and is then significant in his absence for much of the second part.
I needed a few days to think about this book after I finished it. For a relatively short novel, it is dense and can be read in a number of different ways. For me, I think that Mr Black was a kind of ghost; he certainly haunted William throughout his life. William likened him to the rooks of his youth and his first exposure to death, something he is reminded of at every subsequent funeral. Because he can't remember the conversation in the cemetery, he feels utterly indebted, for both the idea for the store, and for Dora's life; because he can't remember the deal or its conditions, Dora then reminds him of something he can't control, and so he distances himself. And so on.
It's a fascinating book. If you don't compare it to Setterfield's earlier novel, it's a wonderfully moody and complex exploration of one man seeking to distance himself from the one thing none of us can avoid. 3.5 stars.
Bellman & Black tells of William Bellman, beginning ominously on his deathbed before going back to follow the key moments of his life, from childhood through to middle-aged adulthood. It has been referred to as a ghost story, which is true (although not in the traditional sense), but I actually feel that it is a gothic novel, complete with lots and lots of black detailing. There is a huge focus on death - in the first half, the moments in which death appears in William's life, including that of a rook he killed as a boy, his grandfather, his mother, his uncle, his wife and children, and friends. The second half is centred on the Victorian death industry - mourning wear, funerals, the whole shebang. It's fascinating. Throughout, William is haunted by Mr Black, who first appears at the funerals of his loved ones, and is then significant in his absence for much of the second part.
I needed a few days to think about this book after I finished it. For a relatively short novel, it is dense and can be read in a number of different ways. For me, I think that Mr Black was a kind of ghost; he certainly haunted William throughout his life. William likened him to the rooks of his youth and his first exposure to death, something he is reminded of at every subsequent funeral. Because he can't remember the conversation in the cemetery, he feels utterly indebted, for both the idea for the store, and for Dora's life; because he can't remember the deal or its conditions, Dora then reminds him of something he can't control, and so he distances himself. And so on.
It's a fascinating book. If you don't compare it to Setterfield's earlier novel, it's a wonderfully moody and complex exploration of one man seeking to distance himself from the one thing none of us can avoid. 3.5 stars.
Listened/Read for Review (Simon and Schuster/Edelweiss)
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Bellman and Black is extremely well written with beautiful prose and wonderful imagery! The book wasn't exactly what I was expecting but the story quietly pulled me in and kept me interested. If you are looking for something slightly gothic, beautifully told, and a little off the beaten path then I think Bellman and Black will work for you.
Audio Thoughts: Jack Davenport knocked it out of the park. I really liked his voice for this setting and these characters. The pacing could have been a little quicker but otherwise fantastic job!
Overall Rating: 3.50
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: Bellman and Black is extremely well written with beautiful prose and wonderful imagery! The book wasn't exactly what I was expecting but the story quietly pulled me in and kept me interested. If you are looking for something slightly gothic, beautifully told, and a little off the beaten path then I think Bellman and Black will work for you.
Audio Thoughts: Jack Davenport knocked it out of the park. I really liked his voice for this setting and these characters. The pacing could have been a little quicker but otherwise fantastic job!
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-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