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The Left Hand of God #2
The Last Four Things
last four things, the
497 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2011
375 people are currently reading
4273 people want to read
About the author
Paul Hoffman
16 books627 followersNote: Paul^^Hoffman
Possibly the only novelist of his generation to be born by the light of a paraffin lamp, Paul Hoffman spent much of his childhood on airfields all around the world watching his father – a pioneer of sports parachuting and European Champion – jumping out of aeroplanes. After a long battle with the English educational system which involved avoiding school whenever possible he was offered a place to read English at New College, Oxford when no other university would interview him. After graduating he worked in over twenty different jobs, including boardman in a betting shop, messenger boy to a City merchant bank and teacher. He was also senior film censor at the British Board of Film Classification.
His first novel, The Wisdom of Crocodiles took thirteen years to write. Among other things it predicted the re-emergence of international terrorism in the 21st Century and the precise nature of the collapse of the world financial system. Part of the novel was made into a film starring Jude Law and Timothy Spall. His second novel, The Golden Age of Censorship, a black comedy based on his experiences as a film censor, was published in 2007. As a screenwriter he has written or co-written three produced films and worked with, among others, Francis Ford Coppola.
Possibly the only novelist of his generation to be born by the light of a paraffin lamp, Paul Hoffman spent much of his childhood on airfields all around the world watching his father – a pioneer of sports parachuting and European Champion – jumping out of aeroplanes. After a long battle with the English educational system which involved avoiding school whenever possible he was offered a place to read English at New College, Oxford when no other university would interview him. After graduating he worked in over twenty different jobs, including boardman in a betting shop, messenger boy to a City merchant bank and teacher. He was also senior film censor at the British Board of Film Classification.
His first novel, The Wisdom of Crocodiles took thirteen years to write. Among other things it predicted the re-emergence of international terrorism in the 21st Century and the precise nature of the collapse of the world financial system. Part of the novel was made into a film starring Jude Law and Timothy Spall. His second novel, The Golden Age of Censorship, a black comedy based on his experiences as a film censor, was published in 2007. As a screenwriter he has written or co-written three produced films and worked with, among others, Francis Ford Coppola.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews
August 6, 2015
Wow, I'm so disappointed. I think I just wasted my time. How did this get so bad and so out of control? I had liked the first book, really liked it and I got into this hoping and wishing for a book that would blew me away... Instead, I got a bland, boring book..
I swear, by the end of the book nothing has really happened. I did an experiment while reading the book and read some paragraphs and skipping some because I felt like there were lots of detail with no reason whatsoever.
The writing, the plot.. Everything is all over the place. The author overdoes it a bit, I think he's too dramatic for his own good and sometimes what he describes is incoherent. The plot instead of thickening, it goes thinner and thinner and by the end of the book it had dried out.
The characters.. I don't like the lot of them, not after reading this. The characters felt shallow and empty with no feelings whatsoever and while I forgave them in the first book for being this way, I did because they were all their lives grown to a certain way of life, but even after so long out there, they still remain cold and soulless.
I don't really know if I'm going to read the next book. Maybe if I did read it, I'd do it for closure rather than interest......
I swear, by the end of the book nothing has really happened. I did an experiment while reading the book and read some paragraphs and skipping some because I felt like there were lots of detail with no reason whatsoever.
The writing, the plot.. Everything is all over the place. The author overdoes it a bit, I think he's too dramatic for his own good and sometimes what he describes is incoherent. The plot instead of thickening, it goes thinner and thinner and by the end of the book it had dried out.
The characters.. I don't like the lot of them, not after reading this. The characters felt shallow and empty with no feelings whatsoever and while I forgave them in the first book for being this way, I did because they were all their lives grown to a certain way of life, but even after so long out there, they still remain cold and soulless.
I don't really know if I'm going to read the next book. Maybe if I did read it, I'd do it for closure rather than interest......
July 23, 2011
c2011. From Hero to zero - considering how much I enjoyed the first book. I did not find this to be "epic" which is how it is described by the publisher. By the author's own admission, this story contains "many acts of righteous larceny" culling, distorting and summarising some well known historical events and personalities. While I felt that he got away with it in the first book, this second book was a real mish mash cobbled loosely together (see what I mean). I actually hated this book...disappointed and aggrieved. By using all the names of known places etc, it went from a quiddity to painful. This was the last place I expected to read about the Boer War - but yes it appears and the Boers have turned into Folk (from Die Volk, I am guessing). The Last Four Things referred to in the title are "Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell". Nothing seems to happen in this book other than a lot of death - some meaningful and others, not so much. Yes - wait for the quip that is just waiting to be used - Hell was starting the book and Heaven was finally finishing it and accepting that this was just a duffer. I don't think that there is even a plot just a chance for the author to link "cleverly" a whole lot of random "stuff". Hated it and won't bother with the 3rd. **Boo Hoo****** I want my money back.......
August 7, 2014
This had a very different feel to the first book in the series. I was more of a droll military fantasy. I liked it, but not as much as the first book.
The plot lacked the humor and fast pace of the first book, but was still interesting enough. I enjoyed learning more of Bosco's plans for Cale and the world as a whole and his scheming made for compelling reading. He does think big!
Cale is still an interesting character to read about, but he is a bit less likable in this one as he was still struggling to come to terms with Arbell's betrayal. Both Vague Henry and IdrisPukke had smaller roles and that is largely the reason why this lacked the humor of the first book. Kleist has a subplot of his own and it was good to learn more about him as a character. He is not the most likable guy ever, but I felt like he grew over the course of this book. All three of the younger characters are a great mix of cynical and naive. It makes them easy to like despite some of their actions.
The ending was quite a shock and it will be interesting to see how things develop in the third book.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Sean Barrett's performance is nothing short of fantastic. I'd not be surprised if he added at least a star to my rating! He just gets the dry cynical humor of this story.
The plot lacked the humor and fast pace of the first book, but was still interesting enough. I enjoyed learning more of Bosco's plans for Cale and the world as a whole and his scheming made for compelling reading. He does think big!
Cale is still an interesting character to read about, but he is a bit less likable in this one as he was still struggling to come to terms with Arbell's betrayal. Both Vague Henry and IdrisPukke had smaller roles and that is largely the reason why this lacked the humor of the first book. Kleist has a subplot of his own and it was good to learn more about him as a character. He is not the most likable guy ever, but I felt like he grew over the course of this book. All three of the younger characters are a great mix of cynical and naive. It makes them easy to like despite some of their actions.
The ending was quite a shock and it will be interesting to see how things develop in the third book.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: Sean Barrett's performance is nothing short of fantastic. I'd not be surprised if he added at least a star to my rating! He just gets the dry cynical humor of this story.
December 4, 2013
Below quick thoughts as I was reading the book; as usual I will c/p the full FBC review in due course
4/16; Some 1/3-1/2 in the book and it is as crazily inventive and good
as The Left Hand of God, with the same alternating of styles, tones and narrative modes; there is considerably more backstory and world building and things make sense and hang together well, but the same "all but the kitchen sink" is thrown in and this one has some stuff that's even more outrageously funny than in The Left Hand of God and I found myself shaking with laughter often, though the book is also pretty dark and not for the easily offended.
The Pyramid of Lincoln and (the Bosco ordered forgery to save his and Cale's bacon) The Protocols of the Moderators of Antagonism are among the many early "pearls", and even more than in The Left Hand of God, The Last Four Things abounds with such play on the famous and infamous from history, always well done imho...
And there are battles, treachery, fights, blunders, deep seated plans that may or may not work...
Edit 4/18: About 100 pages to go out of 400+ and The Last Four Things has been all I expected and more; I would have easily finished the book in the weekend but I enjoy it so much that I do not want it to end so every 100-150 pages I reread them before going forward.
Even now and I have no real idea where it will go - I expect a particular ending to this one but who knows, the author keeps throwing surprises as well as underlining how the best laid plans just break because of stupidity, misunderstandings or pure chance. The "all but the kitchen sink" famous and infamous from history continues to delight and the book is just awesome - better than The Left Hand of God in some ways because it hangs things together and makes sense of the "big picture"...
Cale, Bosco, Vague Henry, Kleist and a few more new characters are shining - of course Cale first and foremost - but the rest have also great lines on occasion.
Edit 4/18 later I finished the book and while what I expected to happen, happened, the book went further, twisted again and left me a bit stunned without again having much of a clue about what's going to happen in the 3rd volume; this time the author has a great two page explanation about his sources, including famous philosophers,Catholic thinkers, poets, obscure manuals of war that are available online and one (in)famous speech of Saddam Hussein (seems to be on YouTube) that *** cribs here before ***.
All in all The Last Four Things takes the promise of the Left Hand of God, fulfills it and more in a considerably more complex book this time with all the world building that was only hinted there, but keeping the narrative switches and the many twists, while the trilogy finale is something I really, really want asap...
Also this is another book like The Clockwork Rocket that will take a while to process, though here I am just somewhat stunned by the ending since the book kept getting darker and darker and went beyond emotion in some ways, more like say The Kindly Ones than the usual sff
Full FBC Review:
INTRODUCTION: Last year's The Left Hand of God was a novel that elicited very powerful but mixed responses; there were people that loathed it or thought it's the worst hyped debut of the year and there were people, including myself, that utterly loved it and thought it was awesome. So The Last Four Things was one the five novels I marked as must read, try and get a copy as soon as possible, etc for 2011 though I was a little apprehensive if the "magic" of The Left Hand of God will still be there for me, or the series will be exposed as "emperor's new clothes" as many others have claimed.
Once I opened it and I got entranced once more in the twisted world of Thomas Cale and the Redemeers, I applied my reading method for books I do not want to end - read 100 pages, reread them, read another 100 pages and then read the full 200, etc.
Due to circumstances I was not able to write this review for the earlier UK publication, so I postponed it for today's US publication and that added the time dimension since now after several months I can look back and evaluate it better.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: I want to start by remarking that The Last Four Things is a book that most likely will have the same resonance as The Left Hand of God with the reader. You hated that, don't bother; you loved it, get this asap.
I make this claim since the things that distinguished The Left Hand of God from the run-of-the-mill dark bad boy fantasy that is in vogue today - the alternation of styles, from exuberant to really dark, the mostly superb word plays on the famous and infamous in history, the strange and occasionally merciless undertones and the twists and turns that truly made the next pages unpredictable are still there.
However there are some notable differences too. The Last Four Things has considerably more backstory and world building - and indeed things make sense and hang together eliminating one of my fears after the sketched world of the previous novel, namely that the author's world won't make sense in detail. But it does and here we see things like logistics, speed of communication, population sizes, etc, all adding depth and painting a full 3D picture.
The characters also get more texture, though the third person narrative allows Thomas Cale to still remain a mystery; now he is coming into his own, far from the scared boy genius of The Left of God, to the outwardly confident man that events if not age made him be. His master, tormentor and protector, Redemeer Bosco comes also into his own here and the novel is as much about his plans as about Thomas Cale's odyssey, so now we have two extremely powerful and larger than life characters not only one. And in a partly comic relief, partly wistful role, Kleist gets his own thread too, though I found it less interesting than the main Bosco/Cale one.
The other personages from the debut - Vague Henry, IdrisPukke, Vipond, Arbell and Conn Materazzi, etc - make also appearances and several more secondary but quite interesting characters are introduced too, while some of the scenes between them and Cale are utterly memorable and constitute a key to the ending which is another stunner. There was a point in the book where I thought I know what will happen and how The Last Four Things will end, but the author turned and surprised me once again making the trilogy ending another book to beg and cajole for as early a copy as possible.
"All but the kitchen sink" is still thrown in and The Last Four Things has some stuff that's even more outrageously funny than in The Left Hand of God, so I found myself shaking with laughter often, though the book is also pretty dark and not for the easily offended. The Pyramid of Lincoln and The Protocols of the Moderators of Antagonism - the Bosco ordered forgery to save his and Cale's bacon after the events in The Left Hand of God and Cale's defection - are among the many early "pearls" and the book abounds with these historical allusions as interpreted by the author.
In a very nice touch, the author has a great two page explanation about his sources, including famous philosophers, Catholic thinkers, poets, obscure manuals of war that are available online and one (in)famous speech of Saddam Hussein which seems to be on YouTube, speech that *** cribs in the book before ***. Since it's a Saddam speech, the last **** should be easily guessed at.
After some months have passed from finishing the novel, there is one weakness I missed in the emotion of the first read - The Last Four Things is ultimately a transitional middle book and while it has a clear theme and an ending to one of its main threads, we still remain a bit in the dark where all ultimately will go; as mentioned, I thought I had an idea, but the ending quickly disabused me of that.
Overall The Last Four Things (A++) takes the promise of The Left Hand of God and fulfills it in a more complex book with all the world building that was only hinted there, but keeping the narrative switches and the many twists, while the trilogy finale is something I really want asap...
4/16; Some 1/3-1/2 in the book and it is as crazily inventive and good
as The Left Hand of God, with the same alternating of styles, tones and narrative modes; there is considerably more backstory and world building and things make sense and hang together well, but the same "all but the kitchen sink" is thrown in and this one has some stuff that's even more outrageously funny than in The Left Hand of God and I found myself shaking with laughter often, though the book is also pretty dark and not for the easily offended.
The Pyramid of Lincoln and (the Bosco ordered forgery to save his and Cale's bacon) The Protocols of the Moderators of Antagonism are among the many early "pearls", and even more than in The Left Hand of God, The Last Four Things abounds with such play on the famous and infamous from history, always well done imho...
And there are battles, treachery, fights, blunders, deep seated plans that may or may not work...
Edit 4/18: About 100 pages to go out of 400+ and The Last Four Things has been all I expected and more; I would have easily finished the book in the weekend but I enjoy it so much that I do not want it to end so every 100-150 pages I reread them before going forward.
Even now and I have no real idea where it will go - I expect a particular ending to this one but who knows, the author keeps throwing surprises as well as underlining how the best laid plans just break because of stupidity, misunderstandings or pure chance. The "all but the kitchen sink" famous and infamous from history continues to delight and the book is just awesome - better than The Left Hand of God in some ways because it hangs things together and makes sense of the "big picture"...
Cale, Bosco, Vague Henry, Kleist and a few more new characters are shining - of course Cale first and foremost - but the rest have also great lines on occasion.
Edit 4/18 later I finished the book and while what I expected to happen, happened, the book went further, twisted again and left me a bit stunned without again having much of a clue about what's going to happen in the 3rd volume; this time the author has a great two page explanation about his sources, including famous philosophers,Catholic thinkers, poets, obscure manuals of war that are available online and one (in)famous speech of Saddam Hussein (seems to be on YouTube) that *** cribs here before ***.
All in all The Last Four Things takes the promise of the Left Hand of God, fulfills it and more in a considerably more complex book this time with all the world building that was only hinted there, but keeping the narrative switches and the many twists, while the trilogy finale is something I really, really want asap...
Also this is another book like The Clockwork Rocket that will take a while to process, though here I am just somewhat stunned by the ending since the book kept getting darker and darker and went beyond emotion in some ways, more like say The Kindly Ones than the usual sff
Full FBC Review:
INTRODUCTION: Last year's The Left Hand of God was a novel that elicited very powerful but mixed responses; there were people that loathed it or thought it's the worst hyped debut of the year and there were people, including myself, that utterly loved it and thought it was awesome. So The Last Four Things was one the five novels I marked as must read, try and get a copy as soon as possible, etc for 2011 though I was a little apprehensive if the "magic" of The Left Hand of God will still be there for me, or the series will be exposed as "emperor's new clothes" as many others have claimed.
Once I opened it and I got entranced once more in the twisted world of Thomas Cale and the Redemeers, I applied my reading method for books I do not want to end - read 100 pages, reread them, read another 100 pages and then read the full 200, etc.
Due to circumstances I was not able to write this review for the earlier UK publication, so I postponed it for today's US publication and that added the time dimension since now after several months I can look back and evaluate it better.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: I want to start by remarking that The Last Four Things is a book that most likely will have the same resonance as The Left Hand of God with the reader. You hated that, don't bother; you loved it, get this asap.
I make this claim since the things that distinguished The Left Hand of God from the run-of-the-mill dark bad boy fantasy that is in vogue today - the alternation of styles, from exuberant to really dark, the mostly superb word plays on the famous and infamous in history, the strange and occasionally merciless undertones and the twists and turns that truly made the next pages unpredictable are still there.
However there are some notable differences too. The Last Four Things has considerably more backstory and world building - and indeed things make sense and hang together eliminating one of my fears after the sketched world of the previous novel, namely that the author's world won't make sense in detail. But it does and here we see things like logistics, speed of communication, population sizes, etc, all adding depth and painting a full 3D picture.
The characters also get more texture, though the third person narrative allows Thomas Cale to still remain a mystery; now he is coming into his own, far from the scared boy genius of The Left of God, to the outwardly confident man that events if not age made him be. His master, tormentor and protector, Redemeer Bosco comes also into his own here and the novel is as much about his plans as about Thomas Cale's odyssey, so now we have two extremely powerful and larger than life characters not only one. And in a partly comic relief, partly wistful role, Kleist gets his own thread too, though I found it less interesting than the main Bosco/Cale one.
The other personages from the debut - Vague Henry, IdrisPukke, Vipond, Arbell and Conn Materazzi, etc - make also appearances and several more secondary but quite interesting characters are introduced too, while some of the scenes between them and Cale are utterly memorable and constitute a key to the ending which is another stunner. There was a point in the book where I thought I know what will happen and how The Last Four Things will end, but the author turned and surprised me once again making the trilogy ending another book to beg and cajole for as early a copy as possible.
"All but the kitchen sink" is still thrown in and The Last Four Things has some stuff that's even more outrageously funny than in The Left Hand of God, so I found myself shaking with laughter often, though the book is also pretty dark and not for the easily offended. The Pyramid of Lincoln and The Protocols of the Moderators of Antagonism - the Bosco ordered forgery to save his and Cale's bacon after the events in The Left Hand of God and Cale's defection - are among the many early "pearls" and the book abounds with these historical allusions as interpreted by the author.
In a very nice touch, the author has a great two page explanation about his sources, including famous philosophers, Catholic thinkers, poets, obscure manuals of war that are available online and one (in)famous speech of Saddam Hussein which seems to be on YouTube, speech that *** cribs in the book before ***. Since it's a Saddam speech, the last **** should be easily guessed at.
After some months have passed from finishing the novel, there is one weakness I missed in the emotion of the first read - The Last Four Things is ultimately a transitional middle book and while it has a clear theme and an ending to one of its main threads, we still remain a bit in the dark where all ultimately will go; as mentioned, I thought I had an idea, but the ending quickly disabused me of that.
Overall The Last Four Things (A++) takes the promise of The Left Hand of God and fulfills it in a more complex book with all the world building that was only hinted there, but keeping the narrative switches and the many twists, while the trilogy finale is something I really want asap...
August 22, 2025
Приключенията на Томас Кейл, Хенри Мъглата и Клайст продължават. Те са все така смъртоностни и очарователни.
С вярата на "Обесения Изкупител" и отец Боско трудно може да се излезе на глава, но те ще трябва да се преборят някак.
Цитат:
"- Идрис-Пюк, вярваш ли в Бога?
Идрис-Пюк дори не се замисли над отговора.
- Нито в мен, нито в света като цяло има чак толкова много доброта и любов, та да ги прахосвам за въображаеми същества."
С вярата на "Обесения Изкупител" и отец Боско трудно може да се излезе на глава, но те ще трябва да се преборят някак.
Цитат:
"- Идрис-Пюк, вярваш ли в Бога?
Идрис-Пюк дори не се замисли над отговора.
- Нито в мен, нито в света като цяло има чак толкова много доброта и любов, та да ги прахосвам за въображаеми същества."
November 8, 2020
This book is jammed packed with conspiracies, war strategies and battles. And although there were many actions scenes I loved and enjoyed, I felt like the story as a whole didn't progress much. It's like the end of this one could have started right where book one left off so this book felt a little unnecessary to the story. I'm looking forward to jumping into book three though so fingers crossed, the outcome rocks.
February 20, 2012
hanging on the three star border...
I want to love the books in this series. I probably do a bit. So let me explain my rating...
When reading the first book I fell in love with the main character. And the idea for the story? Wow. Very nice there Hoffman! But when I finished the first one I was left with the thought that not a lot had actually happened in it. Sure, there were parts of action and big revelations, but when I turned the last page I was still waiting for that something.
Never the less was I totally excited for the second installment. I though the style of the first one must surely have been just because of that: lacking because we were just getting to know the characters. Everything would probably come together better and dig deeper into Cale as a character in the second one. But is just... didn't. I am starting to wonder, and worry, if this is really the way the author writes his books.
Still, the end was a magnificent cliffhanger that makes me want to buy the next book right this second. Huh.. Guess I'm reading the third one despite the lack of that something. How does that equation add up?
I want to love the books in this series. I probably do a bit. So let me explain my rating...
When reading the first book I fell in love with the main character. And the idea for the story? Wow. Very nice there Hoffman! But when I finished the first one I was left with the thought that not a lot had actually happened in it. Sure, there were parts of action and big revelations, but when I turned the last page I was still waiting for that something.
Never the less was I totally excited for the second installment. I though the style of the first one must surely have been just because of that: lacking because we were just getting to know the characters. Everything would probably come together better and dig deeper into Cale as a character in the second one. But is just... didn't. I am starting to wonder, and worry, if this is really the way the author writes his books.
Still, the end was a magnificent cliffhanger that makes me want to buy the next book right this second. Huh.. Guess I'm reading the third one despite the lack of that something. How does that equation add up?
July 4, 2011
I was underwhelmed by The Left Hand of God, while I thought it had potential it was also flawed. The test was going to be whether the author built on the potential or not.
Sadly, in The Last Four Things the flaws are much more evident in a rather difficult read where the author seems to have abandoned the potential and built in more flaws! The narrative style seems different, with a smug observational style and the author then rather over indulges himself in the very things that jarred in the first novel!
Lead character Cale continues to be hard to emphasise with and indeed it is hard to relate to anyone in this novel. Add to that a somewhat meaningless plot set in a world that has many familiar names and places and yet is not `our' world, yet the author offers no explanation.
This was very painful to read, a real chore and an utter waste of a few reading hours. Avoid like the plague, if ever there was a book where the editor or publisher needed to step in and re-direct the author, this is it.
Sadly, in The Last Four Things the flaws are much more evident in a rather difficult read where the author seems to have abandoned the potential and built in more flaws! The narrative style seems different, with a smug observational style and the author then rather over indulges himself in the very things that jarred in the first novel!
Lead character Cale continues to be hard to emphasise with and indeed it is hard to relate to anyone in this novel. Add to that a somewhat meaningless plot set in a world that has many familiar names and places and yet is not `our' world, yet the author offers no explanation.
This was very painful to read, a real chore and an utter waste of a few reading hours. Avoid like the plague, if ever there was a book where the editor or publisher needed to step in and re-direct the author, this is it.
November 11, 2011
Ora portanto, resumindo o livro numa "palavra": nhe.
Quando li A Mão Esquerda de Deus, ao início achei o livro um pouco parado e desinteressante. No entanto a partir mais ou menos das 100 pág a história começou a tornar-se interessante. Parecia que as coisas aconteciam com uma finalidade.
Quando parti para As Quatro Últimas Coisas ia preparada para que pudesse, eventualmente, acontecer o mesmo. Um início mais morno e depois desenvolvimentos interessantes. Não podia ter ficado mais decepcionada. O livro começa e termina com críticas mais que directas à igreja. Não tenho problema nenhum com isso, deixo já este esclarecimento. Mas quando comprei este livro não foi de certeza com o intuito de ler um texto reflexivo contra a igreja, foi sim com a ideia de ler uma história interessante. Isso não aconteceu. A verdade é que basicamente não existe história. O livro não passa de um enorme enrolanço. Antes do meio do livro sentia-me confusa e já não percebia para quê tantas voltas e afinal qual a finalidade de tudo aquilo porque os personagens estavam a passar, que diga-se de passagem, não eram nada de especial pois tudo se resolvia com estrema rapidez. As personagens parecem ter perdido profundidade ao longo da história em vez de a ganharem, principalmente Cale. Sinceramente deixou de me dizer o que quer que seja. A única personagem que talvez me continue a agradar é o Henri Vago.
Resumindo e baralhando, não vale a pena ir para este livro à espera de uma boa história. Vão mais preparados para uma lavagem cerebral. A ideia que este livro dá é que foi escrito essencialmente para "encher chouriços".
Quando li A Mão Esquerda de Deus, ao início achei o livro um pouco parado e desinteressante. No entanto a partir mais ou menos das 100 pág a história começou a tornar-se interessante. Parecia que as coisas aconteciam com uma finalidade.
Quando parti para As Quatro Últimas Coisas ia preparada para que pudesse, eventualmente, acontecer o mesmo. Um início mais morno e depois desenvolvimentos interessantes. Não podia ter ficado mais decepcionada. O livro começa e termina com críticas mais que directas à igreja. Não tenho problema nenhum com isso, deixo já este esclarecimento. Mas quando comprei este livro não foi de certeza com o intuito de ler um texto reflexivo contra a igreja, foi sim com a ideia de ler uma história interessante. Isso não aconteceu. A verdade é que basicamente não existe história. O livro não passa de um enorme enrolanço. Antes do meio do livro sentia-me confusa e já não percebia para quê tantas voltas e afinal qual a finalidade de tudo aquilo porque os personagens estavam a passar, que diga-se de passagem, não eram nada de especial pois tudo se resolvia com estrema rapidez. As personagens parecem ter perdido profundidade ao longo da história em vez de a ganharem, principalmente Cale. Sinceramente deixou de me dizer o que quer que seja. A única personagem que talvez me continue a agradar é o Henri Vago.
Resumindo e baralhando, não vale a pena ir para este livro à espera de uma boa história. Vão mais preparados para uma lavagem cerebral. A ideia que este livro dá é que foi escrito essencialmente para "encher chouriços".
October 6, 2017
Sia chiaro che odio queste finte trilogie.
Non sono tre romanzi, ma un unico romanzo in tre volumi.
La storia diventa sempre più complessa e le battaglie sempre più violente.
Le vicende personali sempre più drammatiche e gli incontri sempre meno verosimili, ma, in un romanzo del genere, va bene così.
Mi tocca leggere il terzo tomo.
Non sono tre romanzi, ma un unico romanzo in tre volumi.
La storia diventa sempre più complessa e le battaglie sempre più violente.
Le vicende personali sempre più drammatiche e gli incontri sempre meno verosimili, ma, in un romanzo del genere, va bene così.
Mi tocca leggere il terzo tomo.
September 24, 2017
Review to follow
May 24, 2017
Book two of the series. Now recaptured Cale seems destined to help the Redeemers defeat all enemies and bring darkness down on the world. Feeling betrayed and now separated from his friends he attacks the role with relish out generaling all comers in brutal battles. The book is grim, dark and utterly gruesome with maybe one character with a hint of redeeming features. Having said that I love the edgy feel and the matter of fact brutality is not gratuitous. All in all a good series and looking forward to seeing how it concludes.
April 24, 2021
Notes:
Good narration but the story was a lumpy summary dump for 75%. That made it dull as dirt. 3 Stars for good narration. 1.5 for plot execution.
Good narration but the story was a lumpy summary dump for 75%. That made it dull as dirt. 3 Stars for good narration. 1.5 for plot execution.
September 24, 2020
1 / 5 for 'The Last Four Things' by Paul Hoffman
DNF @ page 411 / 83%
Well, I can see why this has so many negative reviews. Wow, reading this book was really hard work!
The Last Four Things is Book 2 of a trilogy, and I do not believe I'm going to finish it, even though Book 3 is on my TBR pile. Book 1 (The Left Hand Of God) was really good, despite the messy world-building - I genuinely enjoyed it, and I was looking forward to continuing the trilogy.
Book 2 (TLFT) is truly awful. I forced myself through to page 411 (87 pages to the end / 83% read) and gave up. This book is sooooo boring! I began skimming paragraphs around 25% into the book. By about 60% read, I was skimming the odd page. By 83% I was skimming whole runs of pages at a time because NOTHING HAPPENS.
There were a couple of main battles, one near the start and one three-quarters of the way through, which were both reasonably interesting. Cale and Henri are still interesting to read about, as is the relationship between Bosco and Cale. Much of the dialogue is snappy, and some sections of the book are filled with that same wry humour as Book 1.... and those are the only positives.
However, there is, in my opinion, an unpleasant abundance of negatives...
There are many paragraphs that literally go on for pages and pages - this makes the very act of reading feel laborious and tiresome, which reinforces the yawn-inducing boredom of the actual text itself. Bosco has monologues that go on for pages too, and these are equally as boring. This makes you put the book down, so you can find something less boring to do.
The enjoyable prose found in book 1 is somewhat lost in this book, due to Hoffman's increasingly bizarre writing style and sentence structure - sentences don't flow naturally, some needing to be re-read to understand what the author is getting at. There are many sentences where a comma or two would not only have helped but are surely grammatically correct, instead of a sentence that goes on and on with no punctuation. This stops any story-flow as you're constantly stopping and starting, trying to get your head around what the hell that last sentence even fucking meant.
This book is full of songs, hymns and poems and they're all crap - each one is more annoying than the last. It's like Hoffman has read Tolkein and thought "Anyone can do that", and then makes a complete mess of his own attempts.
The messy world-building is thrown into a higher gear in Book 2. Names of real-world places are all still mixed up and used in weird contexts and nonsensical locations. The Laconics are a race of analogue Spartans, but they all have daft overly-British, double-barrelled names. A smug pun is made with the name of the Klehpts (who all love to steal, which is where 'kleptomaniac' comes from HAR-DE-HAR), the 'Folk' and the 'Musslemen' are possibly the two worst nations / peoples titles I have ever read, in any book. Ever. Gun terminology is used in the context of archery, which just sounds stupid. All of this makes you sometimes laugh and sometimes cringe, but always scratch your head in confusion, at why the world-building is so dire and what is going on?!
I understand that the 'men and young boys' part of the Laconic's culture is paedophilic, fair enough, but why does the author have to keep banging on about how the Laconic men are 'beastly' just because they're gay?! This isn't a character's viewpoint, it's the authors viewpoint. This makes you stop and ask yourself if you really want to carry on reading, considering that not only is the book shit, but the author is probably a homophobe too.
It's as if this book hasn't been proofread or editied in any way at all! This is, almost certainly, one of the worst books I have ever read.
1 / 5
DNF @ page 411 / 83%
Well, I can see why this has so many negative reviews. Wow, reading this book was really hard work!
The Last Four Things is Book 2 of a trilogy, and I do not believe I'm going to finish it, even though Book 3 is on my TBR pile. Book 1 (The Left Hand Of God) was really good, despite the messy world-building - I genuinely enjoyed it, and I was looking forward to continuing the trilogy.
Book 2 (TLFT) is truly awful. I forced myself through to page 411 (87 pages to the end / 83% read) and gave up. This book is sooooo boring! I began skimming paragraphs around 25% into the book. By about 60% read, I was skimming the odd page. By 83% I was skimming whole runs of pages at a time because NOTHING HAPPENS.
There were a couple of main battles, one near the start and one three-quarters of the way through, which were both reasonably interesting. Cale and Henri are still interesting to read about, as is the relationship between Bosco and Cale. Much of the dialogue is snappy, and some sections of the book are filled with that same wry humour as Book 1.... and those are the only positives.
However, there is, in my opinion, an unpleasant abundance of negatives...
There are many paragraphs that literally go on for pages and pages - this makes the very act of reading feel laborious and tiresome, which reinforces the yawn-inducing boredom of the actual text itself. Bosco has monologues that go on for pages too, and these are equally as boring. This makes you put the book down, so you can find something less boring to do.
The enjoyable prose found in book 1 is somewhat lost in this book, due to Hoffman's increasingly bizarre writing style and sentence structure - sentences don't flow naturally, some needing to be re-read to understand what the author is getting at. There are many sentences where a comma or two would not only have helped but are surely grammatically correct, instead of a sentence that goes on and on with no punctuation. This stops any story-flow as you're constantly stopping and starting, trying to get your head around what the hell that last sentence even fucking meant.
This book is full of songs, hymns and poems and they're all crap - each one is more annoying than the last. It's like Hoffman has read Tolkein and thought "Anyone can do that", and then makes a complete mess of his own attempts.
The messy world-building is thrown into a higher gear in Book 2. Names of real-world places are all still mixed up and used in weird contexts and nonsensical locations. The Laconics are a race of analogue Spartans, but they all have daft overly-British, double-barrelled names. A smug pun is made with the name of the Klehpts (who all love to steal, which is where 'kleptomaniac' comes from HAR-DE-HAR), the 'Folk' and the 'Musslemen' are possibly the two worst nations / peoples titles I have ever read, in any book. Ever. Gun terminology is used in the context of archery, which just sounds stupid. All of this makes you sometimes laugh and sometimes cringe, but always scratch your head in confusion, at why the world-building is so dire and what is going on?!
I understand that the 'men and young boys' part of the Laconic's culture is paedophilic, fair enough, but why does the author have to keep banging on about how the Laconic men are 'beastly' just because they're gay?! This isn't a character's viewpoint, it's the authors viewpoint. This makes you stop and ask yourself if you really want to carry on reading, considering that not only is the book shit, but the author is probably a homophobe too.
It's as if this book hasn't been proofread or editied in any way at all! This is, almost certainly, one of the worst books I have ever read.
1 / 5
December 5, 2011
Thomas Cale. Čtyři poslední věci je již druhý díl této trilogie. Pro hlavního hrdinu mám opravdu velkou slabost. Již v prvním díle si mě získal svou krutostí, chytrostí, nebojácností, ale také dobrým srdcem. Po přečtení druhého dílu jsem si říkala, že by Thomasovi neuškodila ještě krutější povaha. Obvykle to nesnesu, ale tenhle akolyta si o to naprosto říká. Nicméně, ačkoli jsem byla z pokračování Levé ruky Boží unešena, nemohu říci, že by bylo stejně tak výborné. Ani nedokážu přesně popsat v čem, ale zkusím něco vypotit. Možná si Thomas zasloužil více prostoru, ale něco mi říká, že ten prostor, který autor věnoval i jiným postavám a různým dějům, budou nezbytné pro další pokračování. Co se týče jeho milované Arbell, kéž by dostala více prostoru i ona, ale opět, mám takové tušení, že ona a Thomas si společné chvíle užijí v posledním díle. Stejně jako při mnoha jiných trilogiích mi i zde přišlo, že je druhý díl jakýsi mezičlánek k famóznímu finále.
Co bych ale neměla nechat jen tak ladem je fakt, kolik kvalitní „šťávy“ dodal autor tomuto dílu. Dřív než jsem dočetla do konce, musela jsem si přečíst čtyřstránkový doslov autora a byla jsem naprosto uchvácena, co všechno musel přečíst a prostudovat, aby měl pro knihu tolik nápadů. On sám se nestydí přiznat, z kolika různých zdrojů čerpal a ktreými se nechal inspirovat, budiž pochválen, jelikož většina čtenářů by se k takovým materiálům zjevně nikdy nedostala.
Tak tedy, Thomas Cale, Váhavý Henry a Kleist (obzvláště na tohohle klučinu se v příštím díle těším, jelikož jeho příběh je také velmi zajímavý), to jsou nejdůležitější jména, která vedou celý děj. Iddris Pukke dostal jen velmi málo prostoru (škoda, chyběly mi jeho hlášky), vykupitel Bosco se naprosto ohromil svým chováním vůči Caleovi a musím říct, že si mě trochu získal svou láskou ke Caleovi, jelikož se zdá, že on jediný v něj maximálně věří i přes všechny nesnesitelná příkoří, která mu prováděl v prvním díle. No a nakonec je tu podvraťák Gil – něco jako rádce Bosca. Proč podvraťák? V posledních řádcích této knihy se to dozvíte.
Snad nemusím říkat, jak nesmírně se těším na druhé pokračování a v momentě, kdy píši tyhlety řádky, ještě stále nevím, kolik hvězdiček dát. Když dám čtyři, mám pocit, že knihu urazím, když dám pět, urazím první díl, který byl doopravdy o malý chloupek lepší… Po deseti minutách rozjímání jsem se rozhodla, že dám hvězdiček pět. Jelikož Paul Hoffman je člověk, který přelomil moji bariéru strachu a odmítavosti číst cokoli z historické fantasy. Za tohle mu opravdu vděčím.
Co bych ale neměla nechat jen tak ladem je fakt, kolik kvalitní „šťávy“ dodal autor tomuto dílu. Dřív než jsem dočetla do konce, musela jsem si přečíst čtyřstránkový doslov autora a byla jsem naprosto uchvácena, co všechno musel přečíst a prostudovat, aby měl pro knihu tolik nápadů. On sám se nestydí přiznat, z kolika různých zdrojů čerpal a ktreými se nechal inspirovat, budiž pochválen, jelikož většina čtenářů by se k takovým materiálům zjevně nikdy nedostala.
Tak tedy, Thomas Cale, Váhavý Henry a Kleist (obzvláště na tohohle klučinu se v příštím díle těším, jelikož jeho příběh je také velmi zajímavý), to jsou nejdůležitější jména, která vedou celý děj. Iddris Pukke dostal jen velmi málo prostoru (škoda, chyběly mi jeho hlášky), vykupitel Bosco se naprosto ohromil svým chováním vůči Caleovi a musím říct, že si mě trochu získal svou láskou ke Caleovi, jelikož se zdá, že on jediný v něj maximálně věří i přes všechny nesnesitelná příkoří, která mu prováděl v prvním díle. No a nakonec je tu podvraťák Gil – něco jako rádce Bosca. Proč podvraťák? V posledních řádcích této knihy se to dozvíte.
Snad nemusím říkat, jak nesmírně se těším na druhé pokračování a v momentě, kdy píši tyhlety řádky, ještě stále nevím, kolik hvězdiček dát. Když dám čtyři, mám pocit, že knihu urazím, když dám pět, urazím první díl, který byl doopravdy o malý chloupek lepší… Po deseti minutách rozjímání jsem se rozhodla, že dám hvězdiček pět. Jelikož Paul Hoffman je člověk, který přelomil moji bariéru strachu a odmítavosti číst cokoli z historické fantasy. Za tohle mu opravdu vděčím.
November 1, 2020
I enjoy the banter and dark humour of the novel.
It was really distracting when this worlds past politics were thrown in. The spartans, celtics become part of the tale. A battle at Golan Heights and the neutrality of Sweden are peppered in as well. I then tried to figure out the time period and which Pope this was supposed to be. Of course it is not supposed to be any of those things.
Because of those distractions I lost the story at times.
The first books detacment from this world made it so much more interesting.
Hopefully the next one is better.
It was really distracting when this worlds past politics were thrown in. The spartans, celtics become part of the tale. A battle at Golan Heights and the neutrality of Sweden are peppered in as well. I then tried to figure out the time period and which Pope this was supposed to be. Of course it is not supposed to be any of those things.
Because of those distractions I lost the story at times.
The first books detacment from this world made it so much more interesting.
Hopefully the next one is better.
June 14, 2012
this book was just as great as the first book. It had an awesome plot which contains a twist at the end which you will NEVER (and believe me when i say NEVER) see coming. The writing was as gripping as always and no less expected from paul Hoffman whose fast becoming one of my favourite authors. now, some people might say that this book was darker than the first and to a degree this is true but its only because this book doesn't have all that sappy romance in it (not that there's anything wrong with that. i kind of like sappy romances but I like both people in the relationship to feel the same way). In the four things, the world into which we were introduced before is developed further and you delve further into this fictional world, learning more of its histories and cultures. Which was very interesting.
as some of you may have realised, I tend to base my star ratings on the awesome-ness of the main character, the plot and the way is written. So to me, as you might've guessed, this character was freaking amazing.
to all those thinking of reading this book, here's a little run down of what to expect. First of all, this is not a book for the faint-hearted. If you love happy endings, perfect characters who never make mistakes and bright, cheerful atmospheres, DO NOT read this book. However if you don't mind dark, gritty books which pull you into a world of corruption and conspiracy, epic plans and battles and ingenious schemes with a little hint of romance (or a lot) and complicated relationships with friends, READ THIS NOW. So what can you expect? this book starts off right where it left off in the left hand of god. From there you follow the torment and misery of Cale as he descends steadily into the darkness as well as other threads from other character's old and new like IdrisPukke, Vague henry and Bosco, all the way up to the inevitable and mind-bloeing twist at the end of the story that just makes you want the next book ASAP.
So in conclusion if you don't mind dark books, read all about the epic and tragic (wait actually ignore that, he might have a happy ending) of Cale.
SPOILER ALERT
oh my god i feel so sorry for Cale. After all the harshness of his childhood and all the cruelty he had to endure...and the ungratefulness of most of those he had saved....I'm not really surprised Cale ended up the way he was. His fighting and tactical skills awe soooo awesome though. like seriously. its freaking awesome.
SPOILER FINISHED
as some of you may have realised, I tend to base my star ratings on the awesome-ness of the main character, the plot and the way is written. So to me, as you might've guessed, this character was freaking amazing.
to all those thinking of reading this book, here's a little run down of what to expect. First of all, this is not a book for the faint-hearted. If you love happy endings, perfect characters who never make mistakes and bright, cheerful atmospheres, DO NOT read this book. However if you don't mind dark, gritty books which pull you into a world of corruption and conspiracy, epic plans and battles and ingenious schemes with a little hint of romance (or a lot) and complicated relationships with friends, READ THIS NOW. So what can you expect? this book starts off right where it left off in the left hand of god. From there you follow the torment and misery of Cale as he descends steadily into the darkness as well as other threads from other character's old and new like IdrisPukke, Vague henry and Bosco, all the way up to the inevitable and mind-bloeing twist at the end of the story that just makes you want the next book ASAP.
So in conclusion if you don't mind dark books, read all about the epic and tragic (wait actually ignore that, he might have a happy ending) of Cale.
SPOILER ALERT
oh my god i feel so sorry for Cale. After all the harshness of his childhood and all the cruelty he had to endure...and the ungratefulness of most of those he had saved....I'm not really surprised Cale ended up the way he was. His fighting and tactical skills awe soooo awesome though. like seriously. its freaking awesome.
SPOILER FINISHED
May 5, 2011
The Last Four Things continues the story begun in The Left Hand of God with Thomas Cale - the young man heralded as the 'Incarnation of God's Wrath' - back in the hand of the Redeemers and his erstwhile and hated master Bosco. Bosco believes that God has ordained the race of mankind to be destroyed for it's imperfection and that Cale is the instrument of the Almighty's anger.
Cale, heartbroken and disillusioned by the events in the first book, goes along with Bosco's direction as life with the Redeemers is one he understands, if not cares for. He is sent to turn the tide in the war against the Antagonists and lead Redeemer forces to victory, so that Bosco will be able to reap the rewards of his protege's successes and gain futher power. This Cale accomplishes in a typically ruthless manner.
We also follow Cale's former cronies Vague Henri and Kleist. Kleist, having abandoned his fellow Redeemers to get as far away from his former life as possible, inadvertantly saves the life of a young girl who he subsequently falls for. She brings him back to her tribe - a group of cheerfully craven bandits. Vauge Henri doggedly follows Cale in the hope that, with IdrisPukke's help, he can be made to escape the Redeemers again.
As with the first book, I am little confused with the tone. The style of narration and the prose used is both florid and knowingly sardonic. The story veers from pitch black humour to poignancy to uber-violence to ridiculous and back at breakneck speed. As with the previous installment I enjoyed the blatant potshots at the absurdity of religion which seems one of the major themes of the book.
Even more than in the first book Hoffman uses real place names to populate this world like Switzerland, The Rhine, Stuttgart and most notably for me - my hometown Leeds which is cheerfully insulted, even in a fictional world. Maybe it shouldn't be a big point but it jars me from fully enjoying the story. I get that maybe Hoffman is trying for the 'dark mirror of the real world' but Terry Pratchett manages a similar line without re-using existing names.
Having said all that I enjoyed this book immensely despite it's flaws and uneven nature.
Cale, heartbroken and disillusioned by the events in the first book, goes along with Bosco's direction as life with the Redeemers is one he understands, if not cares for. He is sent to turn the tide in the war against the Antagonists and lead Redeemer forces to victory, so that Bosco will be able to reap the rewards of his protege's successes and gain futher power. This Cale accomplishes in a typically ruthless manner.
We also follow Cale's former cronies Vague Henri and Kleist. Kleist, having abandoned his fellow Redeemers to get as far away from his former life as possible, inadvertantly saves the life of a young girl who he subsequently falls for. She brings him back to her tribe - a group of cheerfully craven bandits. Vauge Henri doggedly follows Cale in the hope that, with IdrisPukke's help, he can be made to escape the Redeemers again.
As with the first book, I am little confused with the tone. The style of narration and the prose used is both florid and knowingly sardonic. The story veers from pitch black humour to poignancy to uber-violence to ridiculous and back at breakneck speed. As with the previous installment I enjoyed the blatant potshots at the absurdity of religion which seems one of the major themes of the book.
Even more than in the first book Hoffman uses real place names to populate this world like Switzerland, The Rhine, Stuttgart and most notably for me - my hometown Leeds which is cheerfully insulted, even in a fictional world. Maybe it shouldn't be a big point but it jars me from fully enjoying the story. I get that maybe Hoffman is trying for the 'dark mirror of the real world' but Terry Pratchett manages a similar line without re-using existing names.
Having said all that I enjoyed this book immensely despite it's flaws and uneven nature.
May 7, 2012
"The Last Four Things"
So how does the sequel to "The Left Hand of God" fare? I think for a lot of people it will have a similar marmite effect, it is one of those books that leaps and bounds around the imagination, pulling references from the literary world willy-nilly EG: Edmund Spencer's A view of the present state of Ireland, to show a description of starvation (which Hoffman does in gruesome fashion), the king James bible, a Boer war training manual and many more. As well as ideas from historical references and a geographical elasticity that just boggles the mind, Spanish Leeds being just one example a story that is laced with cynicism at so many elements of society and religion. In this book there is also a heavy dose of cynicism aimed at the ease of propaganda and its use in society to tip the balance of power to any intended use.
I have read reviews that state the characters are flat and some of the prose ill formed, I personally have to disagree, I have found that the characters are growing well with the books, there is a very dark dangerous brooding character to Cale, and Vague Henry and Kleist really are growing as individuals in this book with unique characters that really shine out from the page, if they are less dynamic than Cale it feels deliberate to me because what else could they be when this attention black hole enters the room/ page.
For me this is one of the most original fantasy series in many years, I have been put off fantasy in many ways since the death of David Gemmell, and this is one of the few authors able to drag me back.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes their fantasy, their dark novels, and also to those fans of Historical fiction who like to dabble in fantasy...but you MUST read left hand of God before this book, it is the one weakness that the books really cannot be read in isolation. (Parm)
So how does the sequel to "The Left Hand of God" fare? I think for a lot of people it will have a similar marmite effect, it is one of those books that leaps and bounds around the imagination, pulling references from the literary world willy-nilly EG: Edmund Spencer's A view of the present state of Ireland, to show a description of starvation (which Hoffman does in gruesome fashion), the king James bible, a Boer war training manual and many more. As well as ideas from historical references and a geographical elasticity that just boggles the mind, Spanish Leeds being just one example a story that is laced with cynicism at so many elements of society and religion. In this book there is also a heavy dose of cynicism aimed at the ease of propaganda and its use in society to tip the balance of power to any intended use.
I have read reviews that state the characters are flat and some of the prose ill formed, I personally have to disagree, I have found that the characters are growing well with the books, there is a very dark dangerous brooding character to Cale, and Vague Henry and Kleist really are growing as individuals in this book with unique characters that really shine out from the page, if they are less dynamic than Cale it feels deliberate to me because what else could they be when this attention black hole enters the room/ page.
For me this is one of the most original fantasy series in many years, I have been put off fantasy in many ways since the death of David Gemmell, and this is one of the few authors able to drag me back.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes their fantasy, their dark novels, and also to those fans of Historical fiction who like to dabble in fantasy...but you MUST read left hand of God before this book, it is the one weakness that the books really cannot be read in isolation. (Parm)
December 14, 2013
4 Stars
The Last Four Things by Paul Hoffman picks up right where the first book the Left Hand of God left off. After my first read through the first book, I doubted that I would ever go on with the series. I decided to reread the first book, and I am glad that I did. The problems that I had with it the first time through now seemed forgivable and the story felt fresh and new. It is rare but on occasion a second time through can change your perspective. Here I am now having completed the second book and glad for the ride…
“‘Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell
The last four things on which we dwell
Mortification, death and sin
These are the clothes that we lie in.’”
This is a much smaller scoped story and plot but the book is epic in its adventure and battles. We are treated to more story and more development of Cale.
“‘Why would you do such a terrible thing? Because it is in your nature to do so. You are not a man, you are God’s anger made flesh. There is enough of mankind in you to wish to be other than what you are. You want to love, you want to show kindness, you want to be merciful. But in your heart you know you are none of these things. That is why people hate you and why the more you try to love them the more they fear you. This is why the girl betrayed you and why you will always be betrayed as long as you live. You are a wolf pretending to himself that he is a lamb.”
The story moves along at a brisk pace and I found that I had quickly read through it. I recommend this series and will be quickly moving on to the next book.
The Last Four Things by Paul Hoffman picks up right where the first book the Left Hand of God left off. After my first read through the first book, I doubted that I would ever go on with the series. I decided to reread the first book, and I am glad that I did. The problems that I had with it the first time through now seemed forgivable and the story felt fresh and new. It is rare but on occasion a second time through can change your perspective. Here I am now having completed the second book and glad for the ride…
“‘Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell
The last four things on which we dwell
Mortification, death and sin
These are the clothes that we lie in.’”
This is a much smaller scoped story and plot but the book is epic in its adventure and battles. We are treated to more story and more development of Cale.
“‘Why would you do such a terrible thing? Because it is in your nature to do so. You are not a man, you are God’s anger made flesh. There is enough of mankind in you to wish to be other than what you are. You want to love, you want to show kindness, you want to be merciful. But in your heart you know you are none of these things. That is why people hate you and why the more you try to love them the more they fear you. This is why the girl betrayed you and why you will always be betrayed as long as you live. You are a wolf pretending to himself that he is a lamb.”
The story moves along at a brisk pace and I found that I had quickly read through it. I recommend this series and will be quickly moving on to the next book.
November 1, 2015
Sure I read it fast, but would I have read on if this had been book 1...? No. I have to read it ok then.
The thing is that nothing happened, and if something happened it was rather fast and dull. What is Cole now? 15? Srsly he should be older, I cannot take him for serious. He goes from lamenting over Arbell (how old was she anyway? euww.) to butchering people. All while I am all, just put a arrow through his neck. That kid needs a talking to. I liked him in book 1, there he was growing, here I cannot forget what a kid he is.
Also, is this our world or not!? If not, then why use our places names? Lame! If so, then how can they move so fast from one part to another? It is starting to annoy me, just make it fantasy and without a map I would not know.
The crazy religious people, well you know what, crazy is always interesting and I hope they all die.
It does sound like there are only bad things, oh! I forgot about the changing of tense, so annoying! But yeah, it does hold promise, but this book had a serious case of second book syndrome.
The thing is that nothing happened, and if something happened it was rather fast and dull. What is Cole now? 15? Srsly he should be older, I cannot take him for serious. He goes from lamenting over Arbell (how old was she anyway? euww.) to butchering people. All while I am all, just put a arrow through his neck. That kid needs a talking to. I liked him in book 1, there he was growing, here I cannot forget what a kid he is.
Also, is this our world or not!? If not, then why use our places names? Lame! If so, then how can they move so fast from one part to another? It is starting to annoy me, just make it fantasy and without a map I would not know.
The crazy religious people, well you know what, crazy is always interesting and I hope they all die.
It does sound like there are only bad things, oh! I forgot about the changing of tense, so annoying! But yeah, it does hold promise, but this book had a serious case of second book syndrome.
December 16, 2019
Very good like very very good, this book is very heavily in the description of military strategy and the thought behind them and i simply love it, this book has some character development but not much, i guess Cale evolves a little but probably the character that changes the most is Kleist, vague henri is kinda of a dog that follows Cale around, Bosco and Gil are badasses and Brizca is an artist. I would say this book is a 4 to 4.5 stars, it progresses the story but it could be better, i suppose.
February 2, 2016
Not as good as the first one. This book was dragging and I had to skip so many pages about war and stuff that I didn't need to read about. Only in the last few pages,the plot started to become more interesting. I hope the next book is like the first one.
December 21, 2015
a primeira metade do livro foi dolorosa, não aconteceu absolutamente nada de relevante. depois lá ganhou algum interesse, mas mesmo assim tive de ler algumas partes 'na diagnonal'. espero que o último livro seja melhor tbh
February 14, 2019
Cosa dire, cosa dire....sto leggendo in un'unica tirata questa trilogia...cosa dire, cosa dire...
Hoffman non è un cattivo scrittore, ma neanche bravo e forse a volte vuole riscrivere Il Signore degli Anelli, ma altre vorrebbe scrivere una storia sua. Sta di fatto che anche con questo secondo libro siamo alle solite....prime 200 pagine: na noia che ti pugnaleresti gli occhi e le ultime 100 che non smetteresti mai di leggere.
La prima parte è legata al rientro di Cale nei Redentori. Tutta questa parte ti fa letteralmente girare le balle perchè non si capisce bene dove si voglia andare a parare, con guerre di qua guerre di là, che vanno benissimo ma fino a una certa, sangue a fiumi e chi più ne ha più ne metta. Ma prelude a una parte molto più dinamica e "allegra". Secondo me Hoffaman si è imposto di scrivere una trilogia per marketing, ma lasciatemelo dire: bastava un volume solo e sferruzzare qua e la battaglie inutili, che dal punto di vista narrativo sono di una noia assoluta e il rischio è quello di riscrivere sempre la stessa cosa.
Rimango ferma sulla questione del periodo temporale in cui è ambientato....vago, non chiaro, a volte sembra un futuro uscito da una immensa catastrofe, a volte sembra di essere nel medioevo, a volte nel presente...insomma non c'è una definizione, se poi Hoffman voleva crearsi un suo personale periodo storico bisogna chiederlo a lui, molto confuso per me.
Ribadisco anche che la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è fatta bene, loro sono chiari e limpidi, mi piace anche il doppio gioco del carattere del protagonista e dei suoi co-protagonisti.
Insomma gli ingredienti non mancano e sono anche di buona qualità, ma ancora non ci siamo del tutto. Ora mi vado a leggere l'ultimo libro della trilogia e.....speriamo bene.
Hoffman non è un cattivo scrittore, ma neanche bravo e forse a volte vuole riscrivere Il Signore degli Anelli, ma altre vorrebbe scrivere una storia sua. Sta di fatto che anche con questo secondo libro siamo alle solite....prime 200 pagine: na noia che ti pugnaleresti gli occhi e le ultime 100 che non smetteresti mai di leggere.
La prima parte è legata al rientro di Cale nei Redentori. Tutta questa parte ti fa letteralmente girare le balle perchè non si capisce bene dove si voglia andare a parare, con guerre di qua guerre di là, che vanno benissimo ma fino a una certa, sangue a fiumi e chi più ne ha più ne metta. Ma prelude a una parte molto più dinamica e "allegra". Secondo me Hoffaman si è imposto di scrivere una trilogia per marketing, ma lasciatemelo dire: bastava un volume solo e sferruzzare qua e la battaglie inutili, che dal punto di vista narrativo sono di una noia assoluta e il rischio è quello di riscrivere sempre la stessa cosa.
Rimango ferma sulla questione del periodo temporale in cui è ambientato....vago, non chiaro, a volte sembra un futuro uscito da una immensa catastrofe, a volte sembra di essere nel medioevo, a volte nel presente...insomma non c'è una definizione, se poi Hoffman voleva crearsi un suo personale periodo storico bisogna chiederlo a lui, molto confuso per me.
Ribadisco anche che la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è fatta bene, loro sono chiari e limpidi, mi piace anche il doppio gioco del carattere del protagonista e dei suoi co-protagonisti.
Insomma gli ingredienti non mancano e sono anche di buona qualità, ma ancora non ci siamo del tutto. Ora mi vado a leggere l'ultimo libro della trilogia e.....speriamo bene.
December 25, 2024
Tohle jsem měla rozečtené tak 9 let? Možná i víc. Jedničku si nepamatuju, takže to bylo velmi zajímavé čtení. Hoffmanův styl psaní je dost specifický a místy mě fakt nebavil. Na druhou stranu ale byly i kapitoly, které jsem doslova hltala. Náboženské tažení Vykupitelů mě nalákalo i na trojku, takže uvidíme. Snad ji stihnu v roce 2025. A celkem nemile mě překvapila i existence čtyřky, která v češtině nevyšla...
3/5*
3/5*
June 22, 2019
It's kinda painful to read about Thomas and all that he's going through. I need time before starting the third book.
December 28, 2021
"People talk about children as if they're in some way different from adults. But there isn't any difference, not really. Just souls crazy for love."
April 6, 2012
The Last Four Things is the sequel to Left Hand of God.
It continues to follow the story of Thomas Cale, now back with the Redeemers, and separated from his two `friends'.
I will start with what I liked. The first thing, which I also liked about the first book, was what feelings I have when reading about Cale. I feel pity, sympathy, but mixed in with disgust. Sometimes his actions make me cringe, and his coldness make me fear he knows no remorse, his actions make him seem like a stone-cold killer. At other times however, I empathise with his burden, think him a hero, a saviour, etc. Safe to say, very mixed emotions. But that is perfect, as that is what most people in the book feel towards Cale. Admiration mixed with fear. I very much like the way the author conveys these sentiments and drags the reader into the jumble of emotions. This is no ordinary protagonist.
In my review of the first book, I commented on the narration, where the author seemingly talks to the reader. To explain subtext, or what I really liked, upon introducing a new character, in a very absorbing way, will delve into who the new character really is, and who people perceive him to be. In the first book, this form of narration would show itself sometimes, but not often enough to really represent `the' style in which the book was written. I feel the author fixes that with this second installment. His narrative style is now truly the style that is used throughout the book, and it serves the book well. There is more consistency.
I find this book much better written than the first one, not only because of the narrative style, but also because it has grown somewhat more verbose. It feels less `simple' because of the wording. Verbose for the sake of being verbose is never a good thing. But often it adds to the story, and it definitely does here. Events have more depth because they are better described. Characters are introduced more elaborately making you wonder whether to store all that information, because this person might turn out to be important. Or will he? Seeds of doubt are planted with much more skill than in the first book, where some things were quite transparent.
However, there are some things I don't like.
I feel that more than half of the book is filled with battle tactics. It goes on and on and on and on. If this was a first book, I would shrug and say `okay, not the book for me, moving on'. But this is the second in the series. The first also had battle strategies, but when reading the first, I don't think anyone expects the second to be that much centered around strategizing. It was like the promise of the first book, content wise, was broken with the second book. Everyone that sees this through though, that manages to wrestle through all of the fighting talk, is awarded generously with again, an excellent and powerful ending which will make you crave the sequel.
The twist and turns in the plot are interesting, but I dare not judge more thoroughly than that. In the first book, there was (what seemed to be) an interesting plotline, starting at the beginning, concerning an item Cale finds. This plotline was (seemingly) tied off neatly by explaining what the item was. It left me dissatisfied and it felt a bit weak. The author definitely knows how to create plotlines that make you want to read on and find out how they end. But I hope, not every created plotline is finished up as clumsily as that of the item which I talk about in this paragraph. Promise is there, definitely, execution of ending could be better. However! I dare not claim that the ending of the plotline as I perceive it, is the true ending of said plotline. Things have a way of popping back up. So maybe, I will get to eat my words later, I very much hope I will.
To conclude; I thought the second book was better written than the first, massively better even, but I felt the pacing of the first (without the constant battle tactics) was faster, and the plotlines pushed you to read on. Even though this book is not perfect (very few are), I definitely recommend any fantasy reader to read this, as I feel most will very much enjoy it.
It continues to follow the story of Thomas Cale, now back with the Redeemers, and separated from his two `friends'.
I will start with what I liked. The first thing, which I also liked about the first book, was what feelings I have when reading about Cale. I feel pity, sympathy, but mixed in with disgust. Sometimes his actions make me cringe, and his coldness make me fear he knows no remorse, his actions make him seem like a stone-cold killer. At other times however, I empathise with his burden, think him a hero, a saviour, etc. Safe to say, very mixed emotions. But that is perfect, as that is what most people in the book feel towards Cale. Admiration mixed with fear. I very much like the way the author conveys these sentiments and drags the reader into the jumble of emotions. This is no ordinary protagonist.
In my review of the first book, I commented on the narration, where the author seemingly talks to the reader. To explain subtext, or what I really liked, upon introducing a new character, in a very absorbing way, will delve into who the new character really is, and who people perceive him to be. In the first book, this form of narration would show itself sometimes, but not often enough to really represent `the' style in which the book was written. I feel the author fixes that with this second installment. His narrative style is now truly the style that is used throughout the book, and it serves the book well. There is more consistency.
I find this book much better written than the first one, not only because of the narrative style, but also because it has grown somewhat more verbose. It feels less `simple' because of the wording. Verbose for the sake of being verbose is never a good thing. But often it adds to the story, and it definitely does here. Events have more depth because they are better described. Characters are introduced more elaborately making you wonder whether to store all that information, because this person might turn out to be important. Or will he? Seeds of doubt are planted with much more skill than in the first book, where some things were quite transparent.
However, there are some things I don't like.
I feel that more than half of the book is filled with battle tactics. It goes on and on and on and on. If this was a first book, I would shrug and say `okay, not the book for me, moving on'. But this is the second in the series. The first also had battle strategies, but when reading the first, I don't think anyone expects the second to be that much centered around strategizing. It was like the promise of the first book, content wise, was broken with the second book. Everyone that sees this through though, that manages to wrestle through all of the fighting talk, is awarded generously with again, an excellent and powerful ending which will make you crave the sequel.
The twist and turns in the plot are interesting, but I dare not judge more thoroughly than that. In the first book, there was (what seemed to be) an interesting plotline, starting at the beginning, concerning an item Cale finds. This plotline was (seemingly) tied off neatly by explaining what the item was. It left me dissatisfied and it felt a bit weak. The author definitely knows how to create plotlines that make you want to read on and find out how they end. But I hope, not every created plotline is finished up as clumsily as that of the item which I talk about in this paragraph. Promise is there, definitely, execution of ending could be better. However! I dare not claim that the ending of the plotline as I perceive it, is the true ending of said plotline. Things have a way of popping back up. So maybe, I will get to eat my words later, I very much hope I will.
To conclude; I thought the second book was better written than the first, massively better even, but I felt the pacing of the first (without the constant battle tactics) was faster, and the plotlines pushed you to read on. Even though this book is not perfect (very few are), I definitely recommend any fantasy reader to read this, as I feel most will very much enjoy it.
November 1, 2023
The second book in the series "The Left Hand of Darkness," and I cannot for life of me understand why or what the point was.
The story picks up right after Cale is delivered into the hands of the one person he was trying to escape: Redeemer Bosco. Let me just say that what truly bothers me about this is how he wholeheartedly blames Arbell Materazzi for this betrayal, and while she did indeed eventually give in, by that time he had already caught by Bosco's forces in Memphis and the police chief actually did the deed before Arbell was even given the choice, for those who read the first book. Honestly this lasting hatred and resentment towards her is truly an obnoxious distraction to the plot. That is, if there even is a plot in this book...
Bosco explains, calmly, like, you know, the complete psychopath he is, that a "vision" has informed him that Thomas Cale is the living incarnation of God's wrath, and is sent to wipe out humanity. Or something. However not all the Redeemers believe this (cant imagine why) so he must prove himself by basically succeeding in battle, with the added fact that Bosco is actively scheming to take over the whole damn religion and get rid if all his enemies... like I said, psycho.
I have so many frustrations with this book it's hard to know where to start, but I'll go for the plot first. Or rather, the lack thereof. What is this book supposed to be about? There might 4 or 5 "important" events that occur in this story that could have been described in 100 or so pages. Instead, the author takes what was an amusing and humorous style of descriptive writing and turns it into a weapon. Paragraphs of excessively descriptive writing for one character that serves one function in the story. Lengthy setups for battles that should shine on their own, yet by the time you get to it you're already bored and waiting for it to be over. I feel like the author took what was good about the first story, which was witty breaks to set up the next sequence of events, and arrogantly applied it to such excess that even Tolkien would shake his head. Where was the editor and why did no one stop this before publication?? Honestly it's bad enough so little actually happens in this story, but to spend 400 pages trying to sus out the important bits was truly awful. This probably could have been combined with the third book, albeit with heavy edits.
Speaking of awful, this story makes misery a sport. Truly. What was already odious in the first story is continued upon in absolutely unnecessary detail. Yes, we know everyone sucks. We know the Redeemers are absolute shitbags with no souls and disgustingly misguided faith. We know all of this from the first story. Why on earth are we forced to revisit their horror some more? Killing becomes just another thing -"oh whoops! 300 guys just got slaughtered! Oh well, ANYways" - what the actual fuck is wrong here? When you are at the point where misery is so prevalent in your world building that basic human decency is somehow a luxury, then I wonder what in the world is wrong in one's brain who would create a story this grim.
If I sound angry it's because I am. But I was mostly bored reading this, which was so disappointing. The first book presents such an interesting story, and Cale is such a fascinating antihero to root for! But here it's not clear if the author even wants that for Cale anymore.. he makes it so hard for you to root for him, in spite of all he's been through, it's just really confusing. Are we supposed to hate Cale? Where is his character growth? What do you ultimately want for this boy? I just am.not clear anymore, except I want it to end.
I still like Vague Henri and Kleist, the latter being the character who actually had the most growth and most interesting story in this whole book.
So disappointing.
On to book 3, and not looking forward to it.
The story picks up right after Cale is delivered into the hands of the one person he was trying to escape: Redeemer Bosco. Let me just say that what truly bothers me about this is how he wholeheartedly blames Arbell Materazzi for this betrayal, and while she did indeed eventually give in, by that time he had already caught by Bosco's forces in Memphis and the police chief actually did the deed before Arbell was even given the choice, for those who read the first book. Honestly this lasting hatred and resentment towards her is truly an obnoxious distraction to the plot. That is, if there even is a plot in this book...
Bosco explains, calmly, like, you know, the complete psychopath he is, that a "vision" has informed him that Thomas Cale is the living incarnation of God's wrath, and is sent to wipe out humanity. Or something. However not all the Redeemers believe this (cant imagine why) so he must prove himself by basically succeeding in battle, with the added fact that Bosco is actively scheming to take over the whole damn religion and get rid if all his enemies... like I said, psycho.
I have so many frustrations with this book it's hard to know where to start, but I'll go for the plot first. Or rather, the lack thereof. What is this book supposed to be about? There might 4 or 5 "important" events that occur in this story that could have been described in 100 or so pages. Instead, the author takes what was an amusing and humorous style of descriptive writing and turns it into a weapon. Paragraphs of excessively descriptive writing for one character that serves one function in the story. Lengthy setups for battles that should shine on their own, yet by the time you get to it you're already bored and waiting for it to be over. I feel like the author took what was good about the first story, which was witty breaks to set up the next sequence of events, and arrogantly applied it to such excess that even Tolkien would shake his head. Where was the editor and why did no one stop this before publication?? Honestly it's bad enough so little actually happens in this story, but to spend 400 pages trying to sus out the important bits was truly awful. This probably could have been combined with the third book, albeit with heavy edits.
Speaking of awful, this story makes misery a sport. Truly. What was already odious in the first story is continued upon in absolutely unnecessary detail. Yes, we know everyone sucks. We know the Redeemers are absolute shitbags with no souls and disgustingly misguided faith. We know all of this from the first story. Why on earth are we forced to revisit their horror some more? Killing becomes just another thing -"oh whoops! 300 guys just got slaughtered! Oh well, ANYways" - what the actual fuck is wrong here? When you are at the point where misery is so prevalent in your world building that basic human decency is somehow a luxury, then I wonder what in the world is wrong in one's brain who would create a story this grim.
If I sound angry it's because I am. But I was mostly bored reading this, which was so disappointing. The first book presents such an interesting story, and Cale is such a fascinating antihero to root for! But here it's not clear if the author even wants that for Cale anymore.. he makes it so hard for you to root for him, in spite of all he's been through, it's just really confusing. Are we supposed to hate Cale? Where is his character growth? What do you ultimately want for this boy? I just am.not clear anymore, except I want it to end.
I still like Vague Henri and Kleist, the latter being the character who actually had the most growth and most interesting story in this whole book.
So disappointing.
On to book 3, and not looking forward to it.
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