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This conclusion to the Weirdstone trilogy takes childhood fantasy and imprisons it in a thoroughly modern and adult neurosis. The first two books in this series were always concerned with modern civilisation meeting the ancient and arcane, and this is now embodied by Colin, who has become a magical figure himself. Unfortunately for him, this marks him out as strange or even threatening in the austere and rational society he now inhabits, and the experiences of his childhood have festered into mental illness.
Garner's command of language here is beautiful, but it is opaque, challenging, and often puzzling. Much is left to interpretation, and the occasionally impressionistic syntax causes words to cascade uncontrollably off the page. Reading Boneland straight after Weirdstone and Gomrath is a jarring and sobering experience. A conclusion of sorts this is, but it is also scorched earth, a fresh start and a finale that satisfies and mystifies in equal measure.
Garner's command of language here is beautiful, but it is opaque, challenging, and often puzzling. Much is left to interpretation, and the occasionally impressionistic syntax causes words to cascade uncontrollably off the page. Reading Boneland straight after Weirdstone and Gomrath is a jarring and sobering experience. A conclusion of sorts this is, but it is also scorched earth, a fresh start and a finale that satisfies and mystifies in equal measure.