My Rating: 5 starsPublished: 2008
Pages: 465
I am in AWE! The Gargoyle was in turn, horrifying, fascinating, disturbing, enchanting, unpredictable & touching.
The story begins with the horrific car accident of the nameless narrator; a cynical, amoral, drug-addicted porn star & producer. In an alcohol & drug-induced haze the narrator drives his car off a cliff & is burned beyond recognition. The resulting horrors are so visceral my own stomache rolled & churned but believe me if you persevere with the graphic imagery you will be richly rewarded.
While recovering in the burn unit the narrator plans his suicide in detail. His self-depreciating & sardonic view of life adds an element of dark humour to the story. During his long hospital stay we meet Marianne Engel, a sculptor of stone Gargoyles & presumably the narrator's lover 700 years ago. We learn of Marianne’s early life as a monastery-raised orphan in 14th century Germany, her meeting with our narrator as a wounded and badly burned mercenary, then of their life together.
As this seemingly impossible tale unwinds Marianne weaves further tales of deep love and loss... Sei the Japanese glassblower, Siguoor the Swedish Viking, Francesco the Italian welder, & Vicki the sea-widow. Haunting, magical stories that touched my heart and left me wanting more. The story & the characters stayed with me each time I put the book down, calling me back, mesmerising me. I loved the writing, the literary symbolism, the breath-taking imagery.
The Gargoyle is a story of redemption, the story of a man drawn back to life & love. It is a story of recovery & personal growth through the process of 'stripping away'. It is a story of a woman's love that transcends time.
"I believe that every remaining beat of my heart belongs to you, and I believe that when I finally leave this world, my last breath will carry your name."
I wanted my review to reflect this mesmerising tale, to do the story justice but I know longer think that's possible. This is one you really must read yourself.
I've heard this is really dark...my kind of book. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've been looking fo this book used and can't find it around, and our library doesn't have it. It osunds good. Guess I'll have to break down and just buy it!
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to get an ARC of this book before it was published. I too was absolutely blown away by the story and gushed about it my comments to the publisher. Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Andrew Davidson thanking me for my enthusiasm! A great book and a nice human being as well :-)
ReplyDeleteJ.Kaye ~ me too, highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteSharon ~ yeah I think I paid $30 for it, don't normally pay that for a book but it was worth it!
Holley ~ how cool, getting an email from the author
I absolutely love it when a book calls you back and distracts your mind from all of the reality.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lyric read. Will look it up. Thanks. Gr~8 review.
ReplyDeleteI have been putting off reading this book, but after reading your review I'll add it to my pile. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOk, I bought it from Amazon! It's on its way to my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteReally great review!! I have this on my TBR list and I'm really looking foward to getting a copy to read 8)
ReplyDeleteThink I'll put this one on the list for next week!
ReplyDeleteI am one of the few people who couldn't get into this book. I tried but it didn't work for me. Maybe it was the wrong time and I'll have to give it another go sometime.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a beautifully haunting book, but for me...guess I would have to read to find out.
ReplyDeleteI had a student hand this to me and say, "You MUST read this." Sadly, I still have it sitting near my bed, ready to read. Maybe this is my push to read it!!! :) Thanks for the glowing review. I'll get on it now.
ReplyDeleteI'd heard about this book - your review pushed it onto my "I want to read this" list. asthenight at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone, it is SO worth the read!!
ReplyDeleteSounds good and I love the historical aspect of the book. Set just after the dark ages.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this book before but after reading your review I'm definitely going to!
ReplyDeleteI've been hemming about whether to read this book. Not Now! The Gargoyle is sooo my kind of read. The review helped me kick my decision in to full gear!
ReplyDeleteThanks and Happy Writing!
This sounds like a really interesting book. I have it in my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThe cover alone is intriguing, but now your review really makes me want to read it! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an unusual and fun read. I hadn't heard of it before your review. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! This sounds dark! I think I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteOooo, sounds fascinating! checking out the library.... (also, crossing my finger on winning a copy!)
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Now I have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've heard of this author but I am suspecting that it won't be the last!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading/listening to this right now, it's so beautifully written. I can definitely see why this is your favorite book of 2009.
ReplyDeleteGreat Review. I'm adding this to my TBR list.
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