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Weathercock
This is the confession of Dominic Francis Hood - Roman Catholic, sadist, conspirator to murder, witness to a miracle. Dominic's childhood had the usual cardinal the love of his family, a vague belief in God, a general curiosity, an emerging libido. But after he witnesses a miracle performed by Father Ignatius Malone, Dominic realises some part of him is skewed. Instead of becoming attracted to good, Dominic finds himself stimulated by the idea of other people's pain. And he knows that the mere fantasy will never be enough. WEATHERCOCK is the great modern moral inquiry, by one of England's brightest and most confronting young novelists. By turns hilarious, appalling, celebratory and sad, it is an investigation of profound temptations and those human weapons - sometimes formidable, sometimes frail - we bring to bear against them.
500 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
6 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Glen Duncan
25 books887 followersAka Saul Black.
Glen Duncan is a British author born in 1965 in Bolton, Lancashire, England to an Anglo-Indian family. He studied philosophy and literature at the universities of Lancaster and Exeter. In 1990 Duncan moved to London, where he worked as a bookseller for four years, writing in his spare time. In 1994 he visited India with his father (part roots odyssey, part research for a later work, The Bloodstone Papers) before continuing on to the United States, where he spent several months travelling the country by Amtrak train, writing much of what would become his first novel, Hope, published to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 1997. Duncan lives in London. Recently, his 2002 novel I, Lucifer has had the film rights purchased, with actors such as Ewan Mcgregor, Jason Brescia, Jude Law, Vin Diesel, and Daniel Craig all being considered for roles in the forthcoming movie.
(from Wikipedia)
Glen Duncan is a British author born in 1965 in Bolton, Lancashire, England to an Anglo-Indian family. He studied philosophy and literature at the universities of Lancaster and Exeter. In 1990 Duncan moved to London, where he worked as a bookseller for four years, writing in his spare time. In 1994 he visited India with his father (part roots odyssey, part research for a later work, The Bloodstone Papers) before continuing on to the United States, where he spent several months travelling the country by Amtrak train, writing much of what would become his first novel, Hope, published to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 1997. Duncan lives in London. Recently, his 2002 novel I, Lucifer has had the film rights purchased, with actors such as Ewan Mcgregor, Jason Brescia, Jude Law, Vin Diesel, and Daniel Craig all being considered for roles in the forthcoming movie.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 10, 2007
This is my third Glen Duncan novel. I managed to buy a used copy online, as this book is apparently out of print.
Ive come to realise that Duncan may be slightly (juuust slightly) obsessed with the catholic religion, God, and the Devil.
This particular novel deals with a main character, Dominic Hood, who, as a child.. sees what he thinks is a miracle, peformed by a priest. From that day on, Dominic finds himself thinking and doing questionable things, things he feels is the work of the devil, and spends is time obsessing over the priest.
The book follows him throughout the years, in and out of many relationships, and friendships... and we see how his faith is tested, strenghtened and weakened by the hold that his past and the priest have over him.
There were parts of this novel that had me racing from page to page, super speed suspense... then again, there were also parts where I was struggling to remain focused. All in all, A really interesting, thought-provoking novel, (what would you do to test your faith, to see if God was watching), different view on catholic religion and the sins of man... or in this case, A man...
Ive come to realise that Duncan may be slightly (juuust slightly) obsessed with the catholic religion, God, and the Devil.
This particular novel deals with a main character, Dominic Hood, who, as a child.. sees what he thinks is a miracle, peformed by a priest. From that day on, Dominic finds himself thinking and doing questionable things, things he feels is the work of the devil, and spends is time obsessing over the priest.
The book follows him throughout the years, in and out of many relationships, and friendships... and we see how his faith is tested, strenghtened and weakened by the hold that his past and the priest have over him.
There were parts of this novel that had me racing from page to page, super speed suspense... then again, there were also parts where I was struggling to remain focused. All in all, A really interesting, thought-provoking novel, (what would you do to test your faith, to see if God was watching), different view on catholic religion and the sins of man... or in this case, A man...
June 26, 2012
I'm a little pissed that I didn't discover Glen Duncan sooner. Still, I think that might be a good thing, because I'm not sure I could have appreciated him as much then as I can now. I can only hope that some of his other work will strike me with the same open-handed slap that Weathercock did.
I think Duncan might be just slightly mental. I just can't believe that an author capable of writing this, can't be a little soft in the head. Yet, it's in no way a turn-off. In fact, I feel drawn to Mr. Duncan in a way that makes me question my own sanity. His writing as Dominic Hood is scary, torturous, eccentric, distorted, but strangely alluring. I want to know this man because his mind is a beautifully convuluted thing.
The writing is brilliant, just brilliant. I want more.
I think Duncan might be just slightly mental. I just can't believe that an author capable of writing this, can't be a little soft in the head. Yet, it's in no way a turn-off. In fact, I feel drawn to Mr. Duncan in a way that makes me question my own sanity. His writing as Dominic Hood is scary, torturous, eccentric, distorted, but strangely alluring. I want to know this man because his mind is a beautifully convuluted thing.
The writing is brilliant, just brilliant. I want more.
July 18, 2017
2006 notebook: although I am impressed, as usual, by Duncan's fantastic powers of observation and metaphor, I think this one is too over the top, too much detail, as if he's showing off, and the descent into sadism feels dodgy, unconvincing, or maybe just too adolescent (the protagonist is one).
June 25, 2010
I'll start this review by stating that ever since I read I, Lucifer I have been a fan of Glen Duncan. And this book has not changed my opinion one bit.
This is a book that deals with issues of good and evil, and of what it is to be evil.
It is the life story of Dominic Hood, the story alternating between his childhood, his past and the present. As a child he witnesses a miracle, or at least what he sees as the aftermath of a miracle but as he grows up he is constantly drawn to the darker side of life.
As with the other Duncan novels I have read Catholicism is a vital part of the characters (maybe less so in the case of I, Lucifer), and as with Love Remains it is through the protagonist's relationships with others that the story takes place.
It is Duncan's writing that drew me into this book, more so than the story of Dominic, but as the plot progressed I grew fonder of him, despite his actions. And I think that is one of the great aspects of this book; Hood is such a likeable character yet at the same time his darkness is constantly growing. Often tender and hateful at the same time.
In a way I would say that this is a part of the magic realism genre. After all miracles and ghosts seem to be part and parcel of the world. But they aren't quite accepted as part of the world as they would be were it a Marquez story. Maybe a sub-genre of English magic-realism? I don't know, I'm not great at labeling things away.
Duncan disturbs the reader, but yet it is full of humour as well, and of truth. And it is in his writing that Duncan excells, sometimes the words he uses are so unusual, and formal that from a lesser writer they would seem stilted, here they flow.
This is a book that deals with issues of good and evil, and of what it is to be evil.
It is the life story of Dominic Hood, the story alternating between his childhood, his past and the present. As a child he witnesses a miracle, or at least what he sees as the aftermath of a miracle but as he grows up he is constantly drawn to the darker side of life.
As with the other Duncan novels I have read Catholicism is a vital part of the characters (maybe less so in the case of I, Lucifer), and as with Love Remains it is through the protagonist's relationships with others that the story takes place.
It is Duncan's writing that drew me into this book, more so than the story of Dominic, but as the plot progressed I grew fonder of him, despite his actions. And I think that is one of the great aspects of this book; Hood is such a likeable character yet at the same time his darkness is constantly growing. Often tender and hateful at the same time.
In a way I would say that this is a part of the magic realism genre. After all miracles and ghosts seem to be part and parcel of the world. But they aren't quite accepted as part of the world as they would be were it a Marquez story. Maybe a sub-genre of English magic-realism? I don't know, I'm not great at labeling things away.
Duncan disturbs the reader, but yet it is full of humour as well, and of truth. And it is in his writing that Duncan excells, sometimes the words he uses are so unusual, and formal that from a lesser writer they would seem stilted, here they flow.
March 17, 2020
After reading I Lucifer - I bought this one. A very different book but just as well written. Duncan's sharp observational skills were on full display. The story is of a boy's journey to becoming a man, the events that influenced his development and how he deals or not deals with them, mixed in with his relationship with God and catholicism. I enjoyed it!
December 18, 2013
This review contains mild spoilers.
I love Glen Duncan. No other fiction author can get inside my head like he can and then leave me feeling exposed, confronted and unfulfilled. At the same time, he is a highly talented writer who grips me from the first few pages and keeps me hooked right until the end.
Weathercock deals with the subjects of sexuality, sexual fantasy, sado-masochism, good and evil and religious faith with a touch of the supernatural thrown in. This is far more realistic territory than The Last Werewolf and in fact I did wonder at times whether I was reading an embellished autobiography. The first half of the book is a brilliantly written account of the childhood and adolescence of Dominic Hood as he finds his way in a world that is both seductive and scary, alarming and alluring and ultimately painstakingly mundane. Duncan repeatedly dwells on Dominic's inner conflict between good (faith) and evil (sadism) and this theme is developed and twisted throughout the novel until its unpredictable climax towards the end. The plot is magnificent throughout although I found that the intensity and suspense of the second half of the book did not quite match the first.
Like Werewolf, Weathercock is a clever book written with sophisticated language and at times peppered with interesting intellectual and cultural references. It is also a violent and confronting book but with far less blood and gore than Werewolf. My only criticism is that I wish it was funnier. There were no laugh out loud moments and only a few occasions when I raised a wry smile. I accept that this is intended as a serious novel and not written as a comedy however after reading The Last Werewolf I had expected more humour interspersed between all the death, depravity and suffering. Nevertheless, this is a very good book and I highly recommend it.
I love Glen Duncan. No other fiction author can get inside my head like he can and then leave me feeling exposed, confronted and unfulfilled. At the same time, he is a highly talented writer who grips me from the first few pages and keeps me hooked right until the end.
Weathercock deals with the subjects of sexuality, sexual fantasy, sado-masochism, good and evil and religious faith with a touch of the supernatural thrown in. This is far more realistic territory than The Last Werewolf and in fact I did wonder at times whether I was reading an embellished autobiography. The first half of the book is a brilliantly written account of the childhood and adolescence of Dominic Hood as he finds his way in a world that is both seductive and scary, alarming and alluring and ultimately painstakingly mundane. Duncan repeatedly dwells on Dominic's inner conflict between good (faith) and evil (sadism) and this theme is developed and twisted throughout the novel until its unpredictable climax towards the end. The plot is magnificent throughout although I found that the intensity and suspense of the second half of the book did not quite match the first.
Like Werewolf, Weathercock is a clever book written with sophisticated language and at times peppered with interesting intellectual and cultural references. It is also a violent and confronting book but with far less blood and gore than Werewolf. My only criticism is that I wish it was funnier. There were no laugh out loud moments and only a few occasions when I raised a wry smile. I accept that this is intended as a serious novel and not written as a comedy however after reading The Last Werewolf I had expected more humour interspersed between all the death, depravity and suffering. Nevertheless, this is a very good book and I highly recommend it.
March 30, 2012
This book was not at all what I expected. First of all, Duncan's prior book (I, Lucifer) was wonderful -- wickedly funny, remarkably emotional (made me get misty), irreverent, and original -- and I was hoping for more of the same. But Weathercock felt extremely different. I can see the similarities in writing style, but it's like comparing two novels at very different times in an author's career. So I was disappointed at first, but then made a big effort to view this book on its own merits.
The book is about a Catholic guy who wants to be good, to be saved, and it's his struggle to resist his masochistic tendencies. But what I thought would be a dark, soul-searing tale turned out to be more like Stand By Me. No, really. This is more of a coming-of-age book, with school bullies, girls, older sister advice, with a bit of religion and fantasies of torture thrown in. It's a very weird style for the plot of the book, and the plot is weird to begin with. I never felt like Dominic was EVIL, or even that he truly felt that way. I just felt like he thought he should feel evil about it. Playing the role that was expected of him. There's a going-through-the-motions feel to the book that's quite the opposite of the soul-searching I expected.
Still, Duncan's a great writer, and I loved the characters. I'd very strongly recommend I, Lucifer over this, but I still enjoyed it. I just think the book meandered too much, could have been about 200 pgs shorter...and much darker. ;-)
The book is about a Catholic guy who wants to be good, to be saved, and it's his struggle to resist his masochistic tendencies. But what I thought would be a dark, soul-searing tale turned out to be more like Stand By Me. No, really. This is more of a coming-of-age book, with school bullies, girls, older sister advice, with a bit of religion and fantasies of torture thrown in. It's a very weird style for the plot of the book, and the plot is weird to begin with. I never felt like Dominic was EVIL, or even that he truly felt that way. I just felt like he thought he should feel evil about it. Playing the role that was expected of him. There's a going-through-the-motions feel to the book that's quite the opposite of the soul-searching I expected.
Still, Duncan's a great writer, and I loved the characters. I'd very strongly recommend I, Lucifer over this, but I still enjoyed it. I just think the book meandered too much, could have been about 200 pgs shorter...and much darker. ;-)
March 15, 2012
Rarely does a novel feel this honest. Glen Duncan's trademark is to mix ordinary life events with at least a hint of the supernatural. In Weathercock, he tells the story of Dominic Hood, a man whose adult personality was formed in a tough lower middle-class Catholic school. As he grows into sexual maturity, he finds that sado/masochism is his strongest drive. He goes back and forth between more or less "normal" sexuality, which eventually bores him, and a cruel kind of sadism initiated by a woman he cannot break away from even though he doesn't really like her. Mixed in with all this is a exorcist priest who may or may not have miraculous powers, but who seems to represent God as Dominic's female partner in crime represents the devil. The adult Dominic remains driven by the Manichean Catholicism that both impels him to connect with the charismatic priest and indulge himself ever more deeply into sex-as-torture. Weathercock is a compelling bildungsroman that feels like it leaves nothing out of the protagonist's life. I came to it after reading The Last Werewolf, found it rougher but in the long run more rewarding and memorable. Duncan's gifts as a writer seem to have no limit. Each of his books brings its own pleasures and takes the reader on a wild ride while doing so.
December 4, 2009
I'm really not sure how to describe this book. It wasn't terrible but I couldn't really say it was great either so my rating is somewhere around 2.5. The story follows the life of Dominic Hood from childhood into his 30s (or 40s maybe, it wasn't too clear). He appears to be a bit of a sado-masochist but is aware this is a 'wrong' side of him and struggles between what he feels is good and evil. Due to his Catholic upbringing he thinks it's the Devil that puts these thoughts into his head and makes him act out his fantasies so he semi stalks a priest known for doing exorcisms. By the end of the book, I felt like I'd been through so much in the reading of Hood's tale but I couldn't actually tell anybody what happens.
January 6, 2013
For me, this is by far the most disturbing of Glen Duncan's books. I experienced moments of disgust, rage and hatred towards the main characters, and there are certain scenes and lines that are etched into my memory (even though it's been more than 5 years since I read it). It's difficult to explain how I can give a high rating to a book I really felt uncomfortable reading, but it would feel even more wrong to deny that it's mesmerising and powerfully written.
December 29, 2024
Excellent
August 31, 2015
I've publically declared my love to Duncan's writing already, and "Weathercock" has just rubbed it in. And I am glad I have read it. As much as I am glad for having read the other 6 works of his earlier because this one failed to address me or move me as any among the said 6 ("I, Lucifer", the werewolf trilogy, "Death of an Ordinary Man" or "The Day, the Night and the Day"). I don't know why it was so. The cruelty was here, passionate writing too, the heroes were the stripped-out social wrecks, the question of "what was the worst thing one would do if none of one's performances bore some punishment (i.e. undesirable) as consequence", the God as good as playing Find-the-Lady with the Devil etc. All there. Yet, something of the good old Duncanism - missing. Maybe it's the fact that the mental self-canibalism of the characters achieves its full blossom only in some isolated sequences, whereas much wider material (composition and plot) deals with narrating the background, offering the historical "because" to the present "why's"? I found the dialogues specially amusing (often funny) and liked how they were used in the book (and speaking was forbidden with Deborah). A very solid 4 is my mark, because I know this author could have done much better.
January 17, 2010
This has to be one of the strangest books I've ever read. I've certainly never read anything in this genre before, although to be honest I couldn't tell you what genre this would fall under.
It tells the story of Dominic Hood. When Dominic was a school boy he witnesses a preist performing what he thinks is a miracle. He then spends the rest of his life obsessing over religion, and the priest. Dominic, however, has sadistic tendencies, which he knows is wrong but is powerless to stop them - being catholic, he believes that this is the work of the Devil. The book documents his continued struggle between good and evil.
This is far from an easy read and made me squirm in places. That said, there is something very compelling about this book and, if you are not easily offended, I would definitely recommend this, just for the experience of having read it. There's no taking away from the fact that this is an excellent story.
The writing and plot, for the most part, were pretty good. It loses a star only because there were some parts, mostly at the beginning of the book, that dragged. I'm glad I stuck with it though as the pace picked up in the second half of the book.
It tells the story of Dominic Hood. When Dominic was a school boy he witnesses a preist performing what he thinks is a miracle. He then spends the rest of his life obsessing over religion, and the priest. Dominic, however, has sadistic tendencies, which he knows is wrong but is powerless to stop them - being catholic, he believes that this is the work of the Devil. The book documents his continued struggle between good and evil.
This is far from an easy read and made me squirm in places. That said, there is something very compelling about this book and, if you are not easily offended, I would definitely recommend this, just for the experience of having read it. There's no taking away from the fact that this is an excellent story.
The writing and plot, for the most part, were pretty good. It loses a star only because there were some parts, mostly at the beginning of the book, that dragged. I'm glad I stuck with it though as the pace picked up in the second half of the book.
February 21, 2010
I changed my rating from a 4 to a five , because I realized something as I digested it. I can really relate to Dominic Hood. Being a gay man, there was a time before I came out , and before that a time when I didn't even know what I was.......I just knew I was.....different. No I have never had a desire to be a masochistic person but still as he was struggling with the whole aspect of who he thought he was, I could totally relate. I went to Bible college to turn myself "normal" he was in search of a priest from his childhood.
That being said I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book. They were real and imperfect, as we in the real world tend to be. It took me a bit to get used to his writing style, but that would really be my only complaint. I have I, Lucifer: Finally, the Other Side of the Story on deck as the next Duncan to be read. Thank you Lori for Turning me on to yet another Great author.
That being said I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book. They were real and imperfect, as we in the real world tend to be. It took me a bit to get used to his writing style, but that would really be my only complaint. I have I, Lucifer: Finally, the Other Side of the Story on deck as the next Duncan to be read. Thank you Lori for Turning me on to yet another Great author.
June 10, 2013
This is not my usual book choice. I thought it would have been a lot darker than it was...it did have me smiling and even laughing at times. It is hard to categorise this book but I'd say if you are into reading about relationships and inner struggle with a bit of religion thrown in then go for it. There is a dark side to the main character which at times is a bit uncomfortable to read about. I'm not really into reading about a persons life story and relationships so this is why I give 3 stars. The writer Glen Duncan is a very good writer but sometimes a little over descriptive and it felt like he'd swallowed a dictionary.
October 30, 2016
Compulsive, horrifying, laugh-out-loud and awed enjoyment of the writing, this is a guilty rollick of a tale, despite discomfort from more than the effort of holding open such a fat book. Such characters. such a vivid view of boyhood, such a journey between good and bad and back again. Several times.
My life would have been poorer for not having discovered Glen Duncan.
My life would have been poorer for not having discovered Glen Duncan.
May 23, 2020
Fantastic book! I bought this from The Works to get change for the bus and it's one of the best quick book choices that I've ever made.
Definitely recommend this book if you enjoy a tortured and troubled soul as your protagonist.
It's dark, it's witty, it's uncomfortable at times, it's fantastic!
Definitely recommend this book if you enjoy a tortured and troubled soul as your protagonist.
It's dark, it's witty, it's uncomfortable at times, it's fantastic!
February 8, 2014
a very well written and intelligent book. I enjoyed the complex main character, but some areas were very disturbing, nearly didnt continue with the book, but very glad I did. I have read a few glen duncan books and enjoyed them all so far.
June 17, 2011
quite complicated to understand at once.
March 17, 2013
Duncan writes such raw characters--- never disappoints that way, but the ending was rather anti-climactic.
May 2, 2013
As a lover of the dark and gory, this had a lot of lost potential, however an intriguing story with lots of well developed likeable characters and a story that tugged on the heart strings
November 16, 2014
Slow burner, this one, but more and more compelling towards the end. Not funny or witty like I, Lucifer, but beautifully written. Also achingly human.
January 24, 2017
A friend whose literary opinion I trust completely suggested- and in fact gifted!- me this book. Beautifully written and morally complex, it did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews