Daniel O'Thunder by Ian Weir

by Ian Weir

Set in the 1850s in London, England, Daniel O'Thunder interweaves the voices of several narrators to tell the story of a troubled but charismatic prize-fighting evangelist who challenges none other than the Devil to a battle in the ring.A former pugilist with a right fist known as "The Hammer of Heaven," O'Thunder disappeared for years before resurfacing as a crusading street preacher. He pursues a life in Christ, serving those in need, whether they be poor, homeless or in need of guidance. But on London's dark streets, an evil presence is wreaking havoc and throwing into peril the lives of O'Thunder's most vulnerable souls.The novel inhabits the world of the theatre, the criminal underworld and the world of bare-knuckle prizefighting, then shifts to the wild west of North America, where O'Thunder meets his ultimate opponent in the desert of the B.C. Interior.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, London, Canada

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Ian Weir is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. His first novel, Daniel O’Thunder, was named one of the top historical novels of 2011 by Library Journal, which described it as “a debut novel both outrageously funny and bizarrely creepy.” It was a finalist for four awards: the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for First Book, the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, and the Canadian Authors Association Award for Fiction.

Among his extensive television credits, he was writer and executive producer of the critically acclaimed CBC gangland miniseries Dragon Boys. He was also creator and executive producer of CBC’s adventure/drama series Arctic Air, and the long-running teen series Edgemont. Along the way, he has written more than 150 episodes for nearly two dozen series, ranging from ReBoot to Flashpoint. His stage plays, which include The Idler, Bloody Business, and The Man Who Shot Chance Delaney, have been produced across Canada, and in the U.S. and England. Other credits include ten radio plays (three for the BBC and seven for the CBC) and three young adult novels. He has won two Gemini Awards, four Leos, a Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award, and a Jessie.

Ian lives near Vancouver, BC, with his wife Jude and their daughter Amy. His work takes him frequently to London, which has remained his favourite city on the planet ever since he fell in love with it as a graduate student at King’s College. For his sins he has been a lifelong fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Reviews

[Felice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was pure crack for me. The A+ cover easily got my attention. The book's setting, Victorian England, meant the two of us were half way to the register and when I took a little taste of it in the store, where it was free, I was instantly hooked. That meant having to take it home which wasn't free but who cares? I got to read a wonderful novel! Daniel O' Thunder by Ian Weir.

Daniel O'Thunder is also known as 'The Hammer of Heaven'. He's is a retired soldier and boxer turned defender of the downtrodden. He is their spiritual and physical champion. It's not a job where one makes a great deal of headway. Vice it seems will be victorious. Daniel comes to the realization that he is battling Satan and that Satan can only be defeated one way. Daniel must get back into the ring. He needs to duke it out.

Weir's Victorianna has all the tourist hotspots. There are brothels, manors, a sewage filled streets, the muddy Thames and rat infested everything. The novel is populated by the proverbial motley crew if ever there was one. Every page is packed with prostitutes, ne'er-do-wells, thieves, reporters, gin-swillers, addicts, sinister aristocrats and various special guest star appearances by urchins, beggars and all manner of the Victorian oppressed.

Daniel O'Thunder is fabulous storytelling. Several of Weir's characters tell their version of the events. Since none of the narrators are very reliable or honest there are divergent viewpoints and many discrepancies for the reader to enjoy and sift through. Weir has put together a terrific novel with a page turning mystery at its center. He has married menace brilliantly with perfectly constructed Victorian England.

[C.A. Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I told you this is a tale about the devil, you might find that silly. If you judged the story by its title, you might expect a graphic novel about a superhero. If you went by the book cover, you'd probably continue walking, in the bookstore. Don't make these mistakes!

The brilliant Mr. Weir does it again! Or, I should write does it for the first time, as this was his first novel. Like Strother Purcell and Will Starling, Daniel O'Thunder is an addictive experience.

The thing about Weir - on top of his zany character descriptions - is that his books tread equally the line between dark and comic. In O'Thunder, we are given the seamy, violent underbelly of London, 1851. We're given charitable works and old-style boxing matches. We also get Weir's trademark goofiness and bits of screwball dialogue. (The digs at Shakespeare are particularly funny.)

It's almost as if Ian Weir dares us not to take him seriously. But you must take him seriously because, once you start reading his prose, you won't be able to put the books down.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victorian era carnivalesque multi-character tale about a prizefighter in London who turns preacher, seeing the Devil's work in the injustices and cruelties that are prevalent in the industrial age.

Most of the characters in the story comprise the underclass and the author evokes their underbelly world so that it seems not just vivid, but visceral. The tone is humorous while remaining dark.

Ostensibly told to us by one central (unreliable) narrator, the story weaves several intricately layered narratives. This allows a variety of colourful voices and wealth of story details.

I enjoyed it immensely.

[Tim Giauque · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a little baffled by DANIEL O'THUNDER. It's a story about an ex-prize-fighter turned evangelist and humanitarian, who challenges the Devil to a winner-take-all boxing match. It's set in a grimy Victorian London, with all the trimmings - prostitutes, rogues, open pits of sewage, etc. It's got multiple points of view from unreliable narrators. And yet, it didn't do much for me.

I was drawn to this by the setting and the premise, and then I just don't think it had much story to hook me. Oh well.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ian Weir starts with an intriguing idea - what happens if you pick a fight with the Devil? Mr Weir then goes on to create interesting characters, investigates man's inner demons and saints, and does a very nice job painting an image of 19th-century London. At the end of the day, though, the story didn't really work for me. It was ok, but it took me 3/4 of the book to get attached to reading it.

All too often I found myself asking where Mr Weir was going with the story - and not in a mysterious sort of good way. While most of the characters were unlikeable, they were actually the strength of Daniel O'Thunder. The reader will shift opinions (in some cases frequently) about any one character throughout the 400 pages as circumstances and/or new information appear; and "unlikeable" doesn't necessarily mean "unsympathetic". These characters liven up the vivid, grimy portrait of Victorian London Mr Weir presents to us.

"A frightening, funny, moving, page-turning romp," says one reviewer on the book's cover. "Curious" is a word I'd use for this, maybe "cute" in a weird sort of way rather than "funny". "Page-turning"? in the last 1/4 of the book, yes, but not so much in the first portions.

If you like rich characterizations, and descriptions that make you involuntarily wrinkle (if not plug) your nose, Daniel O'Thunder won't disappoint.

[Laurel Hislop · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I opened Ian Weir’s novel, I felt I’d stepped into the early 1800s and onto a squalid London street. The antiquated language which Mr Weir executes just so—not too much to distract the reader—plunged me swiftly into his extraordinary tale. Although I have no great interest in religion or bare-knuckle boxing, the two elements at the heart of the storyline, the book was tough to put down. The principle character, Daniel O’Thunder, is as far-fetched as the narrative. He’s an illiterate Irish brute and a boxer or ‘pugilist.’ I mention this because of my prior ignorance of the term. In addition, the man is kind, selfless, and preaches to the masses. To find, fight, and defeat the devil is the boxer’s consummate goal. The narrator, Jack, an acquaintance of Daniel’s at the beginning, becomes a fervent follower of the peculiar muscleman and ends as his adversary. A riveting read.

[Blaise Sica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure how to say if I actually liked this book. The first 100 pages or so what is supposed to entertain you is the setting since the characters and main plot had not fully been set up (unfortunately the setting was not what interested me about the book in the first place). But by the time the main plot and thriller/mystery is actually set up it is a great read and truly a "page turner" you just have to get there. It's safe to say if the setting is good enough to sustain you then you'll have no problems getting the the meat of the story but otherwise you might have to plow through in order to get to an entirely great story.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a challenge. You will chuckle, you will shake with the tension of it all, you will gasp, and you will be afraid. The author keeps you drawn in and subverts your expectations masterfully. He pulls you in and holds you there until you need to be given some slack.
The only thing I can say even somewhat negatively about this book is that it can be hard to keep up with every time skip and every character’s relationship to whomever. I had to retrace my steps a few times to make sure I was following properly.
This novel promises grit, action, satire, darkness, and reverence, and it delivers. Five stars

[Bren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. This was a fun and different book. Presented from the first person point of view of everybody aside from the main character. There was some good humor as well as a bit of gore, violence and other R-rated material. The book started really strong and funny, but the story (as well as the humor) faded down the stretch and it sort of limped across the finish line. But its originality made it worthwhile for me.

[Mara]

I'll try again another time. I just wasn't able to continue.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, though I am not sure I totally understood it...

[Russell Berg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story with real literary chops.

[Yawar · Rating 3 out of 5]

So was the Devil real? Or was he a spirit that possessed some of the characters from time to time as their base natures rose up to fight against Daniel O’Thunder? I guess that’s the question we keep asking throughout the book. The main narrator, Jack Hartwright (or Beresford?), and thus the book itself, are at times very subjective. You start out liking him–‘Here’s a pleasant chap! Good company to pass a rainy evening’, you think. But by the middle of the story, you’re not so sure. Is it because you begin to see him through the eyes of the others? Or just because no one can really compare to Daniel O’Thunder?

Sure, some of the other character-narrators are likeable enough: there’s Nell Rooney, the plucky, foul-mouthed prostitute who hopes to one day be reunited with her mother. You come to like her sharp tongue. After she meets Jack (at the time a budding actor) for the first time, and accidentally cuts him with a knife: ‘Fucksake, it’s a nick. Look at you, a grown man, carrying on. Besides, it’s your own fault, cos you startled me–so don’t go blaming me, I fucking hate that. And mister? Maybe this ent the time, but someone’s got to tell you the truth. You just can’t act for dogshit.’

William Piper, the reporter for the Morning Register, ‘[p]urveyor of sturdy English facts, set down in good plain English words, all laid out in a row....’ One of the early converts, who, after setting down some not-so-sturdy facts about one of Daniel’s friends, gets forcefully recruited into a campaign to save him from hanging. But just the same, Piper ends up being a firm supporter and generally solid fellow.

And John Thomas ‘Jaunty’ Rennert, Daniel’s mate from the old army days, erstwhile boxing coach, welcome comic relief, and unwitting bringer of financial ruin to Daniel’s enemies. We could do with a bit more of humorous anecdotes from Jaunty’s side.

And now to the titular character: Daniel O’Thunder. A name that rings in your ears, as would a blow from his right hand, the Hammer of Heaven. A saint-savant, a missionary pugilist, a visionary and a dreamer: this is the Daniel O’Thunder we meet in the beginning. When he starts to change into something more–a symbol for the people to rally around–we start to get our hopes up. We think, could he be a new messiah? But the Devil is crafty, wily, and always looking for the tiniest cracks in your defense. When Daniel challenges the Devil to a boxing match in a sporting newspaper, the Devil accepts, and promises to ‘settle once and for all eternity this matter between us.’ And for once he is true to his word.

So we know Jack (the narrator) is a pretty shifty character–but is he the Devil? He denies it from the outset–if you go back to the first few words of the book, he’s quite vehement about it, even though he freely admits having sinned and listened to the Devil’s ‘sweet seductive whispers’ from time to time. But he is a character that has seen the world, seen the good and bad, done good and bad too, so you have to acknowledge that. From near the end of the book: ‘To know the truth about God, you must ask the Devil.’...

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I missed the connection between this book and the book of Daniel in the bible. In doing so I also failed to realize that there would be a consistent flavor of faith and religion woven throughout this novel. Though this flavor was not off-putting in the least, it doesn't reflect my own personal beliefs and I think someone with more traditional religious values will appreciate and enjoy this novel more than I did.

Jack Beresford aka Jack Hartright begins his story by telling us he is an old man now, he's recalling his life, in particular his dealings with a prize fighter named Daniel O'Thunder who wanted to call the Devil forth and face him in a fight and defeat him once and for all. He says this is his 'Book of Daniel'.

Ian Weir created some interesting characters in this novel. Our narrator Jack has had a bit of a run in and has chosen to change his last name in an effort to remain undiscovered in London. He meets Nell Rooney, the young, foul mouthed whore looking for her actress mother. Jack is one of many spectators who watch Daniel O'Thunder fight Spragg the Ruffian. Jack is inspired by Daniel's speech after the fight and finds himself mixing with Daniel's inner circle of friends where he crosses paths with John Thomas Rennert. Rennert is Daniel's former comrade in arms and fight manager, he's also a gambler trying to pull himself out of debt. Lord Sculthorp is a unlikable and frightening man, also a fan of prize-fights and takes a particular interest in Daniel. Daniel himself has an interesting past, he's a recovering alcoholic and evangelist working for the salvation of the souls of the indigent and all he meets.

Many varied and interesting historical tid-bits make their way into this novel. The Great Exhibition in 1851, the dinosaurs on display created by Mr. Richard Owen, Jack Sheppard the infamous escapee from Newgate, Joseph Bazalgette the engineer who reconstructed the London sewers, the Gordon Riots of 1780 and Jack the Ripper all make their way into the book of Daniel.

The book is narrated by seven different voices and while I typically don't mind this approach, I think for this story seven may have been too many narrators. I enjoyed the character Nell and her narrative the most. I found her to be the most compelling character and I thought her story was the most suspenseful.

Readers who enjoy the dark and gritty side of Victorian London and who are believers may find themselves loving this novel. I liked many parts of it and thought the writing was very good. I will look for Ian Weir again and probably check more carefully to make sure what I'm reading is a bit more secular than this.

[Lindsey Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

DANIEL O'THUNDER reads like a fable -- a brisk pace, with a few but specific characters providing a necessary narrative which, most importantly, hails from their own perspective. I was brought to Ian Weir through his other piece, WILL STARLING, and the voice he had provided in that work was just as accessible here. The notion of "unreliable narrator" didn't become clear until the end, but I was forewarned by the characters themselves in the beginning; it was an exciting revelation.

The characters are distinct but set appropriately in their time, and Weir's description of mid-1800's London is visceral, assaulting the senses at times but necessary when creating the context for this sweeping story, the mixed lines between survival in the depths of society, and a greater image of good bare-knuckle-boxing evil. Jack, Daniel and Nell, the main characters juxtaposed against one another, not only in station but in their interpretation of events, are enthralling and engaging; I didn't feel put off by the changes in perspectives, except for a few jumps to minor characters whom felt less distinct. I devoured this book. It was full of slight-of-hand revelations, and twists that didn't feel forced, and only moved naturally. The nod to historical context also appealed to me, mentioning real persons of the time and even a slight gesture to involvement with Jack the Ripper. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys pieces that skim the line of the supernatural.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of things I normally don't like that I didn't mind in this book. Different points of view, awful phonetic spellings (I REALLY hate them... I mean, really really. They screw up my reading flow), larger chunks italicized (I know, super picky, but to each their own), and religious bits. For being a Catholic, I really am not a fan when religion is crammed in a book, most of the time it's overwrought and filled with falsehoods and, well, it's a little tired, that theme.
Ian Weir did a good job with all that, as I not only made it through the book, but I was interested in how it would end, which bits were true, and which weren't. I loved the parts where religion showed up, shockingly. And I liked how the creep got his in the end. I liked this book, and I recommend it. It isn't like anything I've really ever read before, it's got some action, some amusement, and some redemption. And pugilism. Musn't forget that.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting novel with one of the strangest premises I've so far read: a two-bit Irish preacher and former boxer living in London in 1850s attempts to challenge The Devil to a one-on-one battle to the death. Curious yet? Add in a colourful supporting cast of social cast-offs, miscreants, swindlers, foul-mouthed prostitutes, and unscrupulous clergymen, and you've got yourself the beginnings of a good yarn. I particularly liked how different chapters were authored by different characters, giving a varying and often unpredictable perspective on the events going on. I did think the story got bogged down a bit in the second half, but the strength of the characters kept me reading on. The transformation of one character in particular is quite spectacular. The novel is not for everyone, but if you like your humourous novels to have substance, give this a try.

[Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Victorian England with romps in the Subcontinent and the Dominion, this light, somewhat schizophrenic tale is good for sunny afternoons in the backyard. It is as if The Devil in the White City went on a bender with a happy drunk. The title character, known in boxing rings throughout the empire as The Hammer of Heaven is on a mission to save souls and get some good fighting in. Don't let the saving part bother you, there is no theological heavy lifting required to sit back and enjoy the fun. Strong language, frequent violence, and a slightly soiled Duke of Wellington entertain in this fun read.

[Austen Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply too much fun! My husband loved it. I loved it. It is literary fiction--ie. very well written--but totally engaging. Set in sordid 1850s London, it is the story of an evangelical preacher--who you'll love--who challenges the devil to a battle in the boxing ring. It is sort of an off kilter retelling of the Gospels, but way more fun, funnier and harrowing too. This is what you call a ripping read, a la Sarah Waters. -- AB

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I love the period it´s set in and I love the fact that it´s a little gritty. Unlike some other books of the same period that make artistocracy the main focus and forget that the lower classes lived a life full of hardship and darkness. Mostly, anyway. This book is different. Not as gritty as I would like, but it didn´t shy away from the working class and the poor. One I would definitely read again in the future..

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, very entertaining. A twist in the late middle that I wasn't expecting, which lead to a twist at the end that I was sort of expecting. Learned a bit about pugilism in the mid 19th century (which I had previously known nothing about :) Had a glimpse into the down and dirty world of the London poor at the time. I recommend it!

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reviews on the cover completely sold me ont his book, and it did not live up to expectations. The story was plodding and anti-climactic...even giving the good vs. evil subject matter. It was a little silly and was not made more serious by the heavy-handed attempt at nineteenth-century language. It wasn't bad enough to stop reading, but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like another reviewer on here said, this was pure crack for me. Crafty, clever, engaging, with fascinating characters, and unreliable narrators yet I never once felt manipulated and instead happily went along for the ride. 4 stars instead of 5 for some inconsistencies, unanswered questions, and a rather rushed ending, but this was still brilliant and a joy to read.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's as if someone pried into my brain, figured out the kind of book I'd like, then created D O'T. Seriously. This was a ton of fun, as well as an example of multiple narrators done right. Things wore a little thin at the end, but that's not too unusual, is it?

[Katie Winkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started this one and love it already. Set in 19th Century London--a story of good and evil told from multiple points of view.

I really loved this up until the ending. I still like it very much but the ending dropped it from a five to a four.

I do recommend it highly.

[AdultFiction Teton County Library · Rating 2 out of 5]

TCL Call#: FICTION Weir I

Madeleine - 2 stars
Spoiler Alert: The Devil always wins. So this book is an exercise in futility which makes all the religious overtones more desperate and that's sad. I stopped when I figured out that the plot was more Greek Tragedy than comedy.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't want to include spoilers, but had the last chapter NOT been included in the book - I would have given it 5 stars. I LOVED it up until the last 3-4 pages! If I could give it 4.5 stars, I would.

[Jen Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wildly entertaining ride through the underbelly of Victorian England with an equally entertaining group of characters. I loved it!

[Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it, but it just seemed to drag in spots, and it felt like the author could have done a lot more with some of the main characters.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun setting and description. Interesting characterization of the devil.