Scan barcode
A review by powerpuffgoat
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
adventurous
4.5
I was really apprehensive starting this book. I loved Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and I expected to be somewhat disappointed.
Nevermind. I really enjoyed this book. Specifically, it made me realise that I appreciate this author's writing, the way the story unfolds, the journey it takes you on.
There is a note from the author stating he didn't worry too much about historical accuracy in favour of the story itself. Good call, in my opinion, as I would rather read a book about the adventure and a grand mystery. I imagine the reality of sailing in the seventeenth century was much less exciting.
That said, the book was surprisingly brutal, not shying away from exposing poverty, disease, and the depravity of human spirit in dire circumstances.
I enjoyed the Sherlock and Watson dynamic (my edition included some case journals at the end as a bonus). I liked that the female characters were so involved in the narrative, each in their own way. On that note, I also appreciate that their cleverness and strength wasn't presented as unusual, but rather completely commonplace, only dismissed by the men in-universe.
Even though the book was quite long, I never felt like the story was stale. To anyone who argues it starts slow... That's correct, but I think it was necessary to provide context and introduce us to the many pieces of the story.
Things I didn't like:
Nevermind. I really enjoyed this book. Specifically, it made me realise that I appreciate this author's writing, the way the story unfolds, the journey it takes you on.
There is a note from the author stating he didn't worry too much about historical accuracy in favour of the story itself. Good call, in my opinion, as I would rather read a book about the adventure and a grand mystery. I imagine the reality of sailing in the seventeenth century was much less exciting.
That said, the book was surprisingly brutal, not shying away from exposing poverty, disease, and the depravity of human spirit in dire circumstances.
I enjoyed the Sherlock and Watson dynamic (my edition included some case journals at the end as a bonus). I liked that the female characters were so involved in the narrative, each in their own way. On that note, I also appreciate that their cleverness and strength wasn't presented as unusual, but rather completely commonplace, only dismissed by the men in-universe.
Even though the book was quite long, I never felt like the story was stale. To anyone who argues it starts slow... That's correct, but I think it was necessary to provide context and introduce us to the many pieces of the story.
Things I didn't like:
- Too many characters
- Blurry timeline
- The ship's "geography"
The issue with so many characters was that each had a title, but it signaled nothing to me. I had no idea whose authority supercedes whom, whether being a noble was worth more than being a ship's officer etc. It got less confusing as the story unfolded, partly because there were fewer characters and partly because their interactions brought some clarity. But at the start it was very confusing.
The timeline also left me wondering. At one point it makes reference to an event that happened two weeks ago when I thought it was only three days. The past events are just as blurry. How old are these people? Aside from the kids, whose ages were firmly stated, I was left guessing how these people's ages relate to each other and also the context of the time.
While a ship makes a great setting for a whodunnit, it was once again difficult to follow. I had no idea how the different locations related to each other or what their function was. I resorted to searching for a layout of an Indiaman online to help me paint a better picture. Maybe future editions should include the schematics.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book lots so I'm only docking half a star for the above.