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A review by jodar
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As its title foreshadows, this engrossing novel brilliantly captures the convictions and flaws of its characters with the intensity of a Shakespearean tragedy. Set in New Zealand a few years before the arrival of COVID-19, the reader becomes immersed in the lives and thoughts of a group of left-wing conservationists on the one hand and of a right-wing, exploitative, capitalistic, narcissistic billionaire on the other.
The eco characters articulate altruistic motivations to their inner circle and into the public sphere, but in reality they have fragile motivations and commit all-too-human deceits and self-deceits. Catton portrays the discourse of their leftist debates astutely: highly intellectualised, intense and judgemental, they are aimed at challenging political ‘orthodoxy’ but ironically the debates can never establish ‘true belief’; there is always some political grievance somewhere not yet properly addressed, some newly fashionable socio-political theory not yet brought to bear. In contrast, the billionaire is not conflicted: he has unwavering, sociopathic aims. Although presenting himself as a philanthropist to the world, through technological and psychological means he cunningly exploits personal and institutional weaknesses for his own ends. As for the more minor characters of middle-aged ‘middle’ New Zealand, they are moderate in their worldviews, even though they are not without their own deceits and weaknesses. Their impact, though, is largely ineffectual in the face of the major political forces at play.
When the conservationist group and the billionaire become uneasy bedfellows, the pressure of conflict gradually builds and builds. The novel’s explosive ending shocks even as it seems inevitable.
A couple of minor criticisms on word choice:
The eco characters articulate altruistic motivations to their inner circle and into the public sphere, but in reality they have fragile motivations and commit all-too-human deceits and self-deceits. Catton portrays the discourse of their leftist debates astutely: highly intellectualised, intense and judgemental, they are aimed at challenging political ‘orthodoxy’ but ironically the debates can never establish ‘true belief’; there is always some political grievance somewhere not yet properly addressed, some newly fashionable socio-political theory not yet brought to bear. In contrast, the billionaire is not conflicted: he has unwavering, sociopathic aims. Although presenting himself as a philanthropist to the world, through technological and psychological means he cunningly exploits personal and institutional weaknesses for his own ends. As for the more minor characters of middle-aged ‘middle’ New Zealand, they are moderate in their worldviews, even though they are not without their own deceits and weaknesses. Their impact, though, is largely ineffectual in the face of the major political forces at play.
When the conservationist group and the billionaire become uneasy bedfellows, the pressure of conflict gradually builds and builds. The novel’s explosive ending shocks even as it seems inevitable.
A couple of minor criticisms on word choice:
- p. 281 ‘enormity of her love for him’ from context does not mean her love was extremely atrocious, despite the misuse of ‘enormity’.
- ‘on either side’ is used in several places when the sense of ‘on each side’ or ‘on both sides’ is probably intended rather than the literal meaning of ‘on one side or the other’.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Gun violence
Minor: Drug use