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serendipitysbooks 's review for:
The Long Take
by Robin Robertson
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Long Take is the novel-in-verse story of Walker, a Canadian veteran of D-Day. He's haunted by what he saw and guilt-ridden for what he did, and feels he isn't worthy of returning home to his love in Nova Scotia. Instead, he seeks peace, redemption, and himself in American big cities, particularly Los Angeles, but also New York and San Francisco. He finds work as a journalist and spends a lot of time focussing on homelessness. Four things really stood out for me.
1. Walker's PTSD was so well depicted. The graphic content of his flashbacks clearly conveys what he experienced, what he continues to carry with him, and what haunts him. The way they unexpectedly interrupt the main narrative flow closely resembles the way they randomly interrupt his everyday thoughts and activities.
2. The sense of place was so strong. Los Angeles of the late 1940s/early 1950s jumped of the page - the push for progress and perfection, the homelessness, the gangs, the seeming lack of care and concern for the welfare of war veterans, the way neighbourhoods were destroyed for the construction of freeways. The inclusion of maps and photos added a bit of extra realism to buttress Robertson's words. Having real people and events mentioned added to the authenticity and firmly rooted the novel in time as well as place.
3. The noirish vibes were top-notch - atmospheric, moody, and dark. The cameo appearances by film directions whom Walker meets and references to noir films of the time add an element of fun for film buffs.
4. The beauty of Robertson's writing really contrasted with the subject matter, which is anything but. Yet, somehow, the writing does not diminish the darkness of the themes nor the gravity they deserve.
I picked up The Long Take because novels in verse and novels by poets worked well for me, and I'm pleased to report that this didn't break the streak. It's an emotionally tough read that's effectively done, and I'm really glad to have read it.
1. Walker's PTSD was so well depicted. The graphic content of his flashbacks clearly conveys what he experienced, what he continues to carry with him, and what haunts him. The way they unexpectedly interrupt the main narrative flow closely resembles the way they randomly interrupt his everyday thoughts and activities.
2. The sense of place was so strong. Los Angeles of the late 1940s/early 1950s jumped of the page - the push for progress and perfection, the homelessness, the gangs, the seeming lack of care and concern for the welfare of war veterans, the way neighbourhoods were destroyed for the construction of freeways. The inclusion of maps and photos added a bit of extra realism to buttress Robertson's words. Having real people and events mentioned added to the authenticity and firmly rooted the novel in time as well as place.
3. The noirish vibes were top-notch - atmospheric, moody, and dark. The cameo appearances by film directions whom Walker meets and references to noir films of the time add an element of fun for film buffs.
4. The beauty of Robertson's writing really contrasted with the subject matter, which is anything but. Yet, somehow, the writing does not diminish the darkness of the themes nor the gravity they deserve.
I picked up The Long Take because novels in verse and novels by poets worked well for me, and I'm pleased to report that this didn't break the streak. It's an emotionally tough read that's effectively done, and I'm really glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Violence, War