Sign in with Facebook
Leo Walsh's Reviews > Titus Groan
Titus Groan (Gormenghast, #1)
by
by
Interesting setting with deftly sketched Dickensian characters. But in the end, a lot of description and little action. What's more, Peake's language often runs to the uber-Romantic. There were times I felt like I was reading Tennyson. Which is all fine and dandy ... were it written in the 1850's.
Problem is, Peake was writing a century after the Romantic period ended, and fifty years since the Moderns. So it seems a tome out of time.
That said, it is enjoyable. The descriptions are wonderful, and the Fantasy subtle -- there is no epic quest or swords & sorcery here. And the plot line is quite slow, with our main character still in diapers at the end.
I'm going to read the second volume eventually. Because Peake, despite his sometimes eye-rolling purple-prose, can write. And does develop characters that are at once believable and larger than life.
Problem is, Peake was writing a century after the Romantic period ended, and fifty years since the Moderns. So it seems a tome out of time.
That said, it is enjoyable. The descriptions are wonderful, and the Fantasy subtle -- there is no epic quest or swords & sorcery here. And the plot line is quite slow, with our main character still in diapers at the end.
I'm going to read the second volume eventually. Because Peake, despite his sometimes eye-rolling purple-prose, can write. And does develop characters that are at once believable and larger than life.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Titus Groan.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
October 6, 2015
–
Started Reading
October 6, 2015
– Shelved
October 13, 2015
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-8 of 8 (8 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Cecily
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Oct 14, 2015 11:09AM
Peake being "out of time" seems quite apt: Gormenghast itself is out of time. It seems much longer ago than becomes apparent in Titus Alone.
reply
|
flag
Cecily wrote: "Peake being "out of time" seems quite apt: Gormenghast itself is out of time. It seems much longer ago than becomes apparent in Titus Alone."You know, as I read your comment, I thought of another book "Groan" is similar to... "Tristram Shandy." I think half of the book goes by before Sterne's hero is born... Not sure why your comments should have brang that to mind, but so it goes.
That said, I am going to read all three eventually. I set a goal of reading 100 books per year, and purchased all three at a used book store in September.
I've not read Tristram Shandy, though obviously I know of it.100 books a year... gosh, that's quite a challenge. I won't manage that before I retire, but I wish you happy reading.
But the imagery! Won't somebody think of the imagery?! I love this book because years later I've forgotten the purple prose, but the image of the sea of white cats and the aunties in purple breakfasting on a branch are still vivid. I wouldn't bother with books 2&3 if you didn't like the descriptive writing style though. I'm pretty sure that's all those books consisted of!
Cecily wrote: 100 books a year... gosh, that's quite a challenge. I won't manage that before I retire, but I wish you happy reading."I do about half -- mostly non-fiction but a few pop fiction titles too -- as books on tape. So as I do chores, yard work, run, lift, drive to and from work I "read."
But I prefer to read my serious fiction the old fashioned way. Curled up, ignoring the TV in the background & family milling around and reading. To my mind, better than TV. Better than movies (since you get inside people's skin, something video or theater cannot duplicate).
Ruby wrote: "But the imagery! Won't somebody think of the imagery?! I love this book because years later I've forgotten the purple prose, but the image of the sea of white cats and the aunties in purple breakfa..."I actually liked the book. I loved the imagery, especially the Duke turning into an owl. The setting is creepy and mysterious and things like the cat room, remarkable. Even the characters were well-drawn.
But there was something about the plot that I found... lacking? I mean, it took me half an hour to read through a knife fight between the servant and the cook. It's like Peake got lost in the details and forgot that action is best served ala Raymond Chandler.
Then again, it is better than most Epic Fantasy I've read. Probably because Peake refuses that swords & sorcery quest thing.
I'll read at least the second one because I want to find out what happens to Steerpike & the Countess, who seems to be onto him.
Ruby wrote: "But the imagery! Won't somebody think of the imagery?!"Yes indeed. It's wonderful. You can tell he was also an artist, can't you?
Ruby wrote: "I wouldn't bother with books 2&3 if you didn't like the descriptive writing style though. I'm pretty sure that's all those books consisted of!"
I beg to differ. The second one is very similar to the first, but with a little more humour (the schoolmasters) and more darkness (Steerpike's rise). The third is utterly different in time, place, and writing style. The plot is no clearer, but if anything, it's less descriptive. (It was written, and never properly finished, when Parkinson's and other issues were already affecting him profoundly.)
Leo wrote: " do about half -- mostly non-fiction but a few pop fiction titles too -- as books on tape....But I prefer to read my serious fiction the old fashioned way."
I can't an don't do audio books at all, though I can see the advantage you mention. But yes, curled up with slices of real dead tree is best of all.
