Imerohi

by A.N. Wilson, Anne Allpere

Pamela Cowper, nearing forty, is facing death. Not as a remoste abstract proposition, but as an immediate reality. Her doctor had diagnosed cancer, and Pamela is told she has perhaps a matter of months to live. How does a lively, intelligent woman confront this appalling prospect? Pamela, a university lecturer in English, makes her won decisions - something to the alarm of her medical advisers. One journey is undertaken at the suggestions of her parish priest, the formidable Hereward Stickley. Another, to America, is Pamela's own idea. Both journeys, in a sense, misfire: both lead to discoveries, of a kind, but the revelations encountered prove to be deeply ambiguous.

Genres: Fiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 1980

About the author

Andrew Norman Wilson is an English writer and newspaper columnist, known for his critical biographies, novels, works of popular history and religious views. He is an occasional columnist for the Daily Mail and former columnist for the London Evening Standard, and has been an occasional contributor to the Times Literary Supplement, New Statesman, The Spectator and The Observer.

Reviews

[Ian Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Healing Art - one of A N Wilson's earlier novels - is set in the the early days of breast cancer chemotherapy. Yet the title is surely a joke, for there is little of healing (though something of art).

For the main themes of the book are the three taboos of dinner table discussion; sex, religion and death (the ban on politics long abandoned with the curse of the celebrity politician), meaning this extraordinary novel is a most unlikely soirée conversation topic.

The constant undercurrent of coincidence defines this brilliant novel; a theme that implicitly questions the nature of the miraculous, as the dozen or so exquisitely observed characters bump into one another in a series of scenarios, resulting in the deaths of several of them.

This juxtaposition of religion, death and sex provides a morbid yet humorous opportunity to explore some of the most important questions of life, which Wilson does with immense wit, intelligence, and presumably some autobiographical license.

Few books have I read that have disturbed me more, and yet have entertained me, challenged me, and quite caught my imagination. I recollect the names of each of the characters (most unusual for me - I usually forget names immediately), sharing in their questioning and joy, pitying them in their suffering, or angrily rejecting them in their offensive arrogance.

Is my faith stronger for having read this book? Quite possibly, and for that alone I am grateful.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny , well written story with well developed male and female characters... themes are the limitations of medical therapy, death, love , friendship, lust, homosexuality and meaningful communication.
I did not like the ending.....an unhappy and unfair ending.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good writer and good issues but there are some odd twists that are not in tune with the story but seem to be there so we get a tidy ending.

[Mike Beranek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Competent, lively ensemble of characters, stuff happens...

However the titular theme seems to have got lost and the central plot device seems to have been betrayed a little early. There's much to enjoy still and many droll moments and I'd still recommended this as a diverging comedy with dark hues, not especially pitch - black, more cruel and clever in a guilty, enjoyable way, quintessentially Wilson. I expect to read more.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't particularly enjoy this book but did persevere to the end in the vain hope of finding some sign of the "black comedy" mentioned on the cover notes!

The only blessing is that its a fairy quick read!

[Artie LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gentle novel, despite the fact that it explores such major themes - religion, love, death, medical ethics. The characters are well-drawn, and the plot is plausible: although the author did seem prone to kill people off in order to develop the themes. Recommended.

[Leyly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arvasin, et leidsin kodusest raamaturiiulist lugemata raamatu, mis lühikokkuvõtte järgi tundus huvitav. Lugema hakates sain aru, et olen vähemalt korra "Imerohu" juba pooleli jätnud ja ka nüüd kaalusin seda tõsiselt. Lugesin seekord siiski läbi ja lõpus läks isegi justkui huvitavaks. Aga üldjoontes ikkagi selline natuke siit ja natuke sealt stiilis raamat - stiil mis mulle kohe kuidagi ei istu. Olulised tegelased selles raamatus olid Usk (minu jaoks ebaveenvate heietuste ja dialoogidena) ning inglise kirjandus ja seda pisidetailides uurivad inglise kolledži õppejõud. Lisaks üsna imelikud (armu)suhted tegelaste vahel. Ja päris kindlasti ei ole seda raamatut lugenud kaane kujundanud inimene. Mingil juhul ei ole tegemisgt roosa romantilise naistekaga.

[Mr Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far more a serious and accomplished novel than either Oswald Fish or the linked two novel religious themed comedies. In some ways slightly disturbing, but this lessened by the main characters all being deeply flawed and frankly rather unlikeable (plus also wooden and somewhat unbelievable?). The fireworks accident was far too predictable and the events afterwards unbelievable plus surely indicative of the author trying to provide an ending.

[Indira Guha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.N.Wilson writes a lot, an early novel, well worth the read.