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A review by billymac1962
Descent by Tim Johnston
5.0
Descent was on my to-read list for quite a while. The reason for this is unfortunate, and that is, once again, due to me being stymied by a mediocre average rating. Anytime I would look at it and scan reviews, I'd balk at the words lyrical, literary, and poetic (that one's a killer) being present, and I would move on to something else. Each time the novel becoming more in danger of getting dropped off my list.
But, I'm getting better at this. I am beginning to tell myself that I put it on my to-read list for a reason. It's worth noting here that I have a couple of lists going. One on my phone that lists those authors and books that are worth further consideration, and my Goodreads list here, in which every novel is there because of a very strong push I had from one place or another. So I kept telling myself that other opinions shouldn't matter. I need to give it a shot (when I'm ready) because there was obviously something there.
Now about that being ready part: I read Descent off the heels of a YA novel, a genre I have little interest in, but was convinced by a podcast that that novel would be different (it wasn't). In fact, the writing in that novel was so dumbed down that I felt insulted as a reader, and would have been even if I was of YA age, whatever that is, presumably anywhere over 18.
So I looked at Descent. Yes, this would be the absolutely perfect time to appreciate a lyrical, literary, or even poeti - NO. I'm drawing the line there. No poetic prose. NO.
I downloaded the sample to my Kindle and began.
And my brain lit up.
Whew. Okay, here's the thing. Those who balk at the so-called literary, lyrical novels should know there is nothing to fear here. I probably have the least amount of tolerance for purply prose, and find that for the most part novels with this quality tend to buckle under their own weight. But the points in which Descent shows these qualities, it is simply a matter of magnificent writing. And there is plenty of quick dialogue to even things out. And there's the enticing plotline of a family whose daughter goes missing in the Rocky Mountains.
Tim Johnston takes his time with this story. There is a lot of branching out and this is something that seems to have annoyed some readers. Not me. Perhaps if this was bloated out to 600 pages, sure I'd take issue with that. But honestly, the amount of story, the cast of characters, the...redemption of some, I'm astounded that all of this was packed into 370 pages.
I'm having a really hard time writing a review that doesn't sound like I'm making excuses for the writing. This isn't my intent.
Let me just say this: Descent is very well done. The writing, at times is glorious, and will light up your mind the way a good book should. The story is a terrifying one, at times wrought with melancholy (how could it not be?), and shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys the thriller/suspense genre. There's something for everyone here.
This will be one of my top reads of the year for sure, and I'm looking forward to his next, The Current, soon.
But, I'm getting better at this. I am beginning to tell myself that I put it on my to-read list for a reason. It's worth noting here that I have a couple of lists going. One on my phone that lists those authors and books that are worth further consideration, and my Goodreads list here, in which every novel is there because of a very strong push I had from one place or another. So I kept telling myself that other opinions shouldn't matter. I need to give it a shot (when I'm ready) because there was obviously something there.
Now about that being ready part: I read Descent off the heels of a YA novel, a genre I have little interest in, but was convinced by a podcast that that novel would be different (it wasn't). In fact, the writing in that novel was so dumbed down that I felt insulted as a reader, and would have been even if I was of YA age, whatever that is, presumably anywhere over 18.
So I looked at Descent. Yes, this would be the absolutely perfect time to appreciate a lyrical, literary, or even poeti - NO. I'm drawing the line there. No poetic prose. NO.
I downloaded the sample to my Kindle and began.
And my brain lit up.
Whew. Okay, here's the thing. Those who balk at the so-called literary, lyrical novels should know there is nothing to fear here. I probably have the least amount of tolerance for purply prose, and find that for the most part novels with this quality tend to buckle under their own weight. But the points in which Descent shows these qualities, it is simply a matter of magnificent writing. And there is plenty of quick dialogue to even things out. And there's the enticing plotline of a family whose daughter goes missing in the Rocky Mountains.
Tim Johnston takes his time with this story. There is a lot of branching out and this is something that seems to have annoyed some readers. Not me. Perhaps if this was bloated out to 600 pages, sure I'd take issue with that. But honestly, the amount of story, the cast of characters, the...redemption of some, I'm astounded that all of this was packed into 370 pages.
I'm having a really hard time writing a review that doesn't sound like I'm making excuses for the writing. This isn't my intent.
Let me just say this: Descent is very well done. The writing, at times is glorious, and will light up your mind the way a good book should. The story is a terrifying one, at times wrought with melancholy (how could it not be?), and shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys the thriller/suspense genre. There's something for everyone here.
This will be one of my top reads of the year for sure, and I'm looking forward to his next, The Current, soon.