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A review by jstilts
The Travelling Companion by Ian Rankin
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A very short story, so cannot say much without spoiling it - however it concerns a student studying Robert Louis Stevenson, and you should be familiar with "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" before reading this short story by Ian Rankin.
It is perhaps rather too short: most of the book is spent setting the stage very nicely, and at the same pace as a regular novel - but then the tale takes a rather sudden twist and it's done. The obvious twist is out of the blue (which saves it from being too obvious in the moment), very on point thematically but seemingly with no reason - leaving everything rather unresolved. On reflection I think I can see what triggers it if we don't take the rather nonsense reason briefly put forward, but the motivation escapes me. Would definitely have enjoyed this had it been expanded significantly.
It is perhaps rather too short: most of the book is spent setting the stage very nicely, and at the same pace as a regular novel - but then the tale takes a rather sudden twist and it's done. The obvious twist is out of the blue (which saves it from being too obvious in the moment), very on point thematically but seemingly with no reason - leaving everything rather unresolved. On reflection I think I can see what triggers it if we don't take the rather nonsense reason briefly put forward, but the motivation escapes me. Would definitely have enjoyed this had it been expanded significantly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol