Monday, January 21, 2008

The Testament of Gideon Mack


Author: James Robertson

Publication Date: 2006

Category: Literary Fiction

Who'll want to read it? People who don't mind a long tale, love the idea of Scotland, myths and questions of faith.

Point of no return: "... and what exactly Mack had confessed to. 'Quite a lot, for a minister,' Harry said. 'Adultery, for example, and meeting the Devil.' " pg5

Classic line: "I have walked and run through this world pretending emotions rather than feeling them. Oh, I could feel pain, physical pain, but I had to imagine joy, sorrow, anger. As for love, I didn't know what it meant. But I learned early to keep myself well disguised." pg27

What's it all about? On the surface this book is about Gideon Mack, a preacher in the Scottish town of Monimaskit. It's about the events leading up to Gideon's meeting with the Devil and what happens afterwards. Gideon narrates most of the book in the form of his 'testament', but insight is delivered in a prologue, written by the testament's fictional publisher, and an epilogue, covering "interviews" with the townsfolk of Monimaskit.

For me, the book raises more questions than answers about "what it's all about". I'm left concluding that it's about issues of face value, identity and reality - the clash between what we think is real and what other people think is real. How people only see facets of each other, yet interpret their whole being in the context of their own beliefs.

While most of the book deals with thoughts and feelings it also includes descriptions of the wild and beautiful landscape in which the events take place. The references to Scottish folklore were also enjoyable and added layers to the supernatural theme.


I liked this book, but there was no instant gratification. Sometimes I found it slow-going, but it was worth finishing and I still find myself thinking about it, and how I have no idea which narrator to trust.


Publisher: Hamish Hamilton


Take a look at this link and you may be intrigued enough to read the book.

It has been nominated by three libraries for the 2008 International IMPAC Literary Award.




Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Dastardly Book for Dogs


Author: Rex and Sparky

Publication Date: 2007

Category: Humour, Parody

Who'll want to read it? Dog Lovers

Point of no return: pg vii "we seem to have lost touch with the greatest joys of canine existence... finding the nastiest odours to roll in, savoring the subtle earthy flavours of a Jimmy Choo slingback - and, of course, mounting bitches."

Classic line: From "Training a New Human" - "Eventually he will learn that he is only in your bed because you - generously - let him stay", pg 181

What's it all about? It's a parody of "The Dangerous Book for Boys". If you are the owner of a dog, especially a naughty, irresistibly gorgeous one you will recognise many of the behaviours and attitudes in this book. You may even find yourself asking did my dog (in my case Lili Marlene the Apricot Terror) merely read this book, or secretly undertake a pseudonym and actually write most of this book. Except the bits that boy dogs obviously wrote. Eerie.

Publisher: HarperCollins UK