Friday 23 September 2011

New feature: Friday Recommends

So, I've been thinking of a way that I can post each week to share with all of my wonderful readers, books that I would sincerely recommend reading!
Working in a bookshop makes it really easy for me to share my love of books with our customers, but outside of work it's harder for me to tell others of all the wonderful novels I've read over the years - so this is where Friday Recommends will come in.

Let me know in the comments what you think about this new feature, and what you think of the book I've chosen for this week - if you've read it, or have now added it to your wishlist, or even if you have started reading it at my recommendation (these comments make me the happiest!). So here we go...


The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
Waterstone's synopsis:
The nameless and beautiful narrator of "The Gargoyle" is driving along a dark road when he is distracted by what seems to be a flight of arrows. He crashes into a ravine and wakes up in a burns ward, undergoing the tortures of the damned. His life is over - he is now a monster. But in fact it is only just beginning. One day, Marianne Engel, a wild and compelling sculptress of gargoyles, enters his life and tells him that they were once lovers in medieval Germany. In her telling, he was a badly burned mercenary and she was a nun and a scribe who nursed him back to health in the famed monastery of Engelthal. As she spins her tale, Scheherazade fashion, and relates equally mesmerising stories of deathless love in Japan, Greenland, Italy and England, he finds himself drawn back to life - and, finally, to love.

I read this book last year as a recommendation from a family friend, and I have to admit, I was very sceptical at first, but as always, I am willing to try anything! So I persevered and read it - I am so glad I did!
I think what I enjoyed the most about this novel was how enigmatic it is; the protagonist is never named, and so as we gradually get to know the character, we still don't really know who they are. And then of course, there is Marianne Engel; the enigma herself! She is a truly fantastic character - seemingly insane, but somehow beautifully enchanting, and almost believable, despite her somewhat extraordinary storytelling. As the protagonist nearly dies, she brings him back to life, and at the same time, bringing the novel to life as well!
The religious imagery in the novel is in no way overwhelming for a non-religious reader (such as myself), as I thought it might be, but rather fits snugly in with the plot and feels as though it belongs there - even enriches the book a little further.
A partially dark, but partially light and wonderful read, it will enchant you and warm you right to the heart! A definite must-read!

15 comments:

XOXO, Michelle said...

Stopping by from Blogaholics! New follower :)

I have to say my skeptical flag is up for this book but I am gonna give it a try!

Paula
http://realhousewifeofsingapore.blogspot.com/

Dani Cotton said...

Definitely give it a try, Paula! I was sceptical too, but it was one of my favourites that I read last year! :)

Chocolate Chunky Munkie said...

I love the new feature Dani :D I've got this one on my tbr pile. Been sat there for about two years. My copy has black page edges, really eye catching :) I will have to go and find it so I can bump it up the reading pile. Maybe you should start this as a Meme - I would def participate.
xx Jen xx

Dani Cotton said...

Yeah, my copy does too! Mine is with a friend at the moment though - she's taken it to uni with her to read, I think. Fingers crossed it comes back unscathed! Definitely get it read, Jen! I reckon it's right up your street!

I will see how the Wishlist Wednesday one goes! If I manage to get it going, I will have a look at getting this one set up too! :D xxxx

Chocolate Chunky Munkie said...

Coool :D you know I would add this feature to my blog!

xx Jen xx

sam1978 said...

I have this on my tbr but something keeps me from reading it.

Dani Cotton said...

Oh, get it read Sam! You'll thank me for it! :) xx

Anonymous said...

I got this book as a gift when it first came out. It is one of my favorites!! Such a beautiful and interesting read...

FireStarBooks said...

He is a Canadian author! YAY! I almost did a project on him for English! I love how you loved it! Amazing review, now I kind of wished I read this book for my project :)

Hilda Hazel Wright said...

Hello! I agree with your summary of this book, I've read it a couple of times now and its magic. Utterly gripping each time and leaves me feeling emotionally drained! The story is told so well that you end up so involved in the characters and their fate. And now you've reminded me about it, I can't remember how it ends so I guess I'll have to read it again ;-)
@WrightyH

Tiffany Holme said...

I picked up this book unsure of what I was going to think as well and like you I was pleasantly surprised! I couldn't believe how emotion packed this book was! I feel it is more of a late teen/adult read though for so of its content but it was a good read all around to me. VERY descriptive at times...

Christina said...

Good to hear! I've got a copy that I bought at Goodwill, but I knew next to nothing about it, and have been looking at it skeptically for over a year. haha.

Unknown said...

I have past this book up several times in store....but I always stand and look at it for awhile. It has a beautiful cover that keeps drawing me to it. I am glad it a read worth giving a try, so maybe next time I come upon this book I will actually but it this time.

Leonor (Ner) said...

Wow... I love the cover of the book... and the plot sounds really interesting. Gonna add to my wishlist :P

Thanks for the review ^_^

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I can't believe but everyone seem to like this book, but not me. I started reading it and then stopped. Maybe I should try another time.

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