 2008-11-27 - Best Read I've had in a while
While reading this book, of course I looked to the author's photo and was surprised he wasn't burned. Such chilling insight, I could believe it was an autobio. Such a refreshing style, hard to believe this is a first effort. Definately for mature readers, but guaranteed to please someone who reads "too much". I thoroughly enjoyed this book with it's blend of ancient history and pop reference. Chocolate frogs indeed! And his use of fonts, very original. I can think of few books that include this visual treat. I find my self telling people about this book and borrowing phrases. "Sweet potatoes, sweeter potatoes, sweetest potatoes" Davidson is a genius!
 2008-11-23 - A great first book!
Okay, the first few chapters are a bit hard to get through...and you may not like the narrator, at first...but, if you stick it out for about 50 pages you are in for a treat. Andrew Davidson's debut novel will not disappoint!
2008-11-13 - Great read, had me hooked from the first chapter
This book was one of the best books that I have read this year. I really enjoyed the story line. In the begining I was intrigued by the relationship between the two but it all came together in the end.
Definetly some grusome parts but a must read for most.
2008-11-09 - Dear Ashley......
My review is written for all to see, but is especially written to Ashley Sheridan.
Dear Ashley,
You did not lure me into reading this book. You did not trick me either. But you demanded it of me, and I did read it.
Now. This is the hard part. I am not sure that I can honestly say that it is a good book, nor can I say that it is one of the best I have ever read, because, as so many people, I "just don't get it." I wondered, as I often have been asked, if when I am dreaming , is that really real life and when I am in what I think is reality, am I dreaming? This book reminds me a little bit of a modern Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." I thought that the story in the present was wonderful and learned to like the narrator and Marianne. But the stories that Marianne told to the narrator, I had a rather tough time getting through. But I have you, and only you, to thank as I have spent the last 10 days slowly plodding along, because you demanded it. My wife has me well trained. I imagine that the more I think about it, the more I will realize that it is a great love story, told so terribly twisted, that one has to have the time to sort it out and stomach what has been read. But again I thank you for your scolding and high demands. If ya have anymore books to tell me that I have to read, please let me know. Think I will go and read a bit lighter book now. Confused, amazed, happy, baffled, but glad I followed your explicit directions.
Sincerely,
Bill
 2008-11-03 - Some Marvellous Writing, Some Terrible Writing
The historical romance at the heart of this novel is absolutely enthralling and brilliantly executed. But at the same time, this story is interwoven with what might be called a "frame narration" set in modern times that works far less well. The extreme tension and excitement of the historical narrative, set in medieval times, is not matched by the events that happen in modern times, and in the modern sections, the writing lags and is even trite or sloppy in places. For this novel to be completely successful, the modern day characters should be caught up in an external conflict as compelling as the one in the historical romance. But instead, the modern story line is a little slow, and there are repeated references to the narrator being stalked by what he calls a "bitch snake" in his spine, something like the proverbial monkey on an addict's back, which he quells by a morphine addiction. This is the least convincing aspect of the whole book; the conflict simply does not persuade and the writing in these sections seems trite, even ridiculous. Only when Davidson turns to his medieval story lines and enters the genre of fantasy and historical romance does his writing really become exceptional. The poor sections are worth enduring for the sake of the brilliant vision at the heart of this highly original story.
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