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Scorn
After an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider goes horribly wrong, depressed scientist Aaron Gall wakes up to discover his mind and body have undergone an astonishing transformation. Now bursting with the joys of life, he is inspired to undertake a radical new therapy: to talk to the priests who brutalized him and his school friends, point out the intellectual dishonesty and inhumanity of their religious beliefs - and then eat them. Aaron enjoys the process so much (as well as taunting the police and MI5) he decides to extend his murderous conversations to include the Archbishop of Westminster, recently converted Catholic Tony Blair, the Queen of England - and, finally, the Pope himself. But a Catholic Church that has given the world the Crusades, the Inquisition, and Papal Infallibility hasn't survived for two thousand years without a reason. Aaron is in for the greatest shock in the history of mankind.
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Published September 7, 2017
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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 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 15, 2017
By transitioning from a dark fantasy trilogy to a modern thriller, stand-alone novel, Paul Hoffman proves that he's a talented author who can excel on any genre he decides to write, with excess dexterity and expertise.
Aaron Gall is a scientist. He's also a cannibal. After an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider goes horribly wrong, Aaron re-evaluates his life, finally finding a purpose: to locate, discuss with, and then kill and eat various catholic priests and other people of notice such as Tony Blair and the Queen of England herself. But as he proceeds with the list of his victims, and with the police trailing him along every step, it will be too late when he realizes that something is terribly amiss...
"But that's the thing about human beings. It''s not laughter or the ability to stand upright that distinguishes man from the animals, it's the capacity for incompetence. When any other creature makes a mistake, it gets eaten. I admit mankind is a bit of a bungler but, in his own way, a fairly successful bungler... despite everything. Although, to be fair, it also depends on your definition of success."
Scorn is, as much as its cover, a work of art; a complex story that marries reality and fiction, resulting in a high octane adventure of endless suspense. In Scorn, Hoffman is exhibiting a profoundly excellent control on the pace of the story, weaving between each of the plots and sub-plots and lurching from crisis to crisis in an expertly manner.
Hoffman took his time writing this novel, and the result is evident. Every aspect of the book is carefully planned and well developed; from the involving mystery with the rising tension, to the odd but captivating way of storytelling, and from the believable characters and the incredible insight into their minds, to the reversed archetypes and the twisted oxymorons, Scorn is a delicate work from a master craftsman.
All in all, Scorn is an excellent suspense thriller, and I recommend it to everyone, but especially to Dan Brown fans.
Aaron Gall is a scientist. He's also a cannibal. After an experiment at the Large Hadron Collider goes horribly wrong, Aaron re-evaluates his life, finally finding a purpose: to locate, discuss with, and then kill and eat various catholic priests and other people of notice such as Tony Blair and the Queen of England herself. But as he proceeds with the list of his victims, and with the police trailing him along every step, it will be too late when he realizes that something is terribly amiss...
"But that's the thing about human beings. It''s not laughter or the ability to stand upright that distinguishes man from the animals, it's the capacity for incompetence. When any other creature makes a mistake, it gets eaten. I admit mankind is a bit of a bungler but, in his own way, a fairly successful bungler... despite everything. Although, to be fair, it also depends on your definition of success."
Scorn is, as much as its cover, a work of art; a complex story that marries reality and fiction, resulting in a high octane adventure of endless suspense. In Scorn, Hoffman is exhibiting a profoundly excellent control on the pace of the story, weaving between each of the plots and sub-plots and lurching from crisis to crisis in an expertly manner.
Hoffman took his time writing this novel, and the result is evident. Every aspect of the book is carefully planned and well developed; from the involving mystery with the rising tension, to the odd but captivating way of storytelling, and from the believable characters and the incredible insight into their minds, to the reversed archetypes and the twisted oxymorons, Scorn is a delicate work from a master craftsman.
All in all, Scorn is an excellent suspense thriller, and I recommend it to everyone, but especially to Dan Brown fans.
September 21, 2017
Review
When in 2010 Paul Hoffman burst onto the writing scene with The Left Hand of God i was beyond pleasantly surprised by the rich colourful and original world that had been created. The story was such an eclectic mix of real world names and fantastical armies and lands. With a protagonist that grew with the book, both in power and stature but also in age and experience. Sadly for me the series declined from that epic beginning (though they were still solid 3/5 books)
Full Review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
When in 2010 Paul Hoffman burst onto the writing scene with The Left Hand of God i was beyond pleasantly surprised by the rich colourful and original world that had been created. The story was such an eclectic mix of real world names and fantastical armies and lands. With a protagonist that grew with the book, both in power and stature but also in age and experience. Sadly for me the series declined from that epic beginning (though they were still solid 3/5 books)
Full Review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
September 3, 2018
An extraordinary satire with a narrator for the centuries and quite a twist I am writing this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team (authors, if you’re looking for reviews, I recommend you check her amazing site here) and I thank her and the publisher for providing me an ARC copy of this book that I freely chose to review.
When I was first approached about reviewing this novel I was beyond intrigued. It sounded like something utterly unique and out there. I wasn’t sure it would suit my reading taste, but I knew I had to read it because it sounded like nothing I had read before. And although it took me a while to get to it, I am happy to report my first impression was right. This book is… extraordinary.
Yes, this book is extraordinary because it is out of the ordinary, pretty much so. If we try to define its genre, we’ll have many difficulties. Is it a thriller? There is a pretty special serial killer (those of us who regularly read thrillers know that they are becoming more and more bizarre and extreme, but this one is beyond the usual, even by modern standards) and a series of murders and desecrations connected by a several cryptic clues (yes, crosswords also come into it), but it has too many other elements that do not fit in well with this genre. There are mystery and police-procedural elements to a point, and a couple of interesting and quirky detectives (Scrope and Lister, both from the upper crust with outstanding education, interesting connections, and an armed forces background), and a female PC, Molly Coates (a heroine of the working classes, from the North of England and from as different a background as possible to the dynamic duo but as clever).
There is a paranormal/fantasy element (well, there is a wolf/shifter involved, and there are references to other creatures that might fit into a number of different categories), but the plot takes place in the world we live in (scarily so at times) or a close version of it with ‘interesting touches’ (some fictional, some are a matter of interpretation). There is a scientific explanation for some of the events (involving the Large Hadron Collider) that could put one in mind of science fiction novels, but this is not the main focus of the plot.
There are plenty of references to religion (which is one of the main themes of the book, in particular, the Roman Catholic Religion) but a word of warning, I think truly devoted and orthodox followers of the Catholic faith or even convinced Christians might feel offended by some of the content. There are also plenty of references and a focus on current and recent events (like the sexual abuse of children by members of the RC priesthood, there are also comments about politics, media, and political figures, some international but many centred in the UK, and we have close encounters with preeminent figures like Tony Blair, the Queen of England, the Pope…) but although the references are accurate and there are plenty of quotations from books, newspapers, media, and the internet, these are weaved into the story and it is not non-fiction or a factual account. As I mentioned already, there are plenty of details about everyday British life peppered through the book, and although in my opinion it is not necessary to be British or an expert on the UK to fully understand or enjoy the book, I think people with a good knowledge of UK politics, society, and current affairs will find much to enjoy (and think about) when they read this book. There is also romance, a story of opposites attract that goes beyond the conventional, but it is only a subplot (and not typical of the romantic genre).
Oh, and there are some illustrations (like ink etchings) of characters and events in the book, but I wouldn’t call it a comic, or a picture book (although they add greatly to the overall effect).
The book has also an extraordinary narrator that from very early on challenges the readers, promising some things (a great twist at the end, that, let me tell you now, he delivers), coaxing them, warning them, and never letting them become too complacent or ‘safe’. The narrator, whose identity readers will wonder about for much of the book, is opinionated, has strong points of view and is not, and never pretends to be, a neutral observer. He is witty, well-informed, dismissive at times, rude and pushy, but never ever boring. Scorn, the title of the book, is the mode of much of his narration, and I loved his voice from the beginning, but if you don’t, you will have difficulties with the book. I always recommend readers to check a sample of the book before buying, and this is one of those cases when I feel that is a must. Although some of the narration, mostly to do with the investigation and the main characters (I am trying not to reveal too many details of the plot, but let’s say, things are not what they seem, as most readers will suspect from the beginning) is written in the third person, much of what makes the book special and gives it its structure and its distinctiveness is the narrator.
Do not get me wrong, though, there are plenty of other characters, like the investigators I have mentioned, whom we get to know quite well and whose personalities and adventures would provide sufficient material for gripping, if more conventional, novels in their own right. There is also Aaron Gall, the character at the centre of the plot, who is both the anti-hero and victim, and also acts as a catalyst for the action in the book. We get to know him, and the rest of the characters, quite well, and he is also a stand-in for the many people who have survived abuse (more or less extreme) at the hands of those who were supposed to be looking after their education and spiritual well-being. If I had to choose, my favourite would be Molly, perhaps because I have more in common with her than with the rest of the characters, and Lou, the therapist, but they are all interesting and likeable. Here I am referring to the main characters. Some of the other characters, many of whom we only get temporary glimpses of (including the victims) are not necessarily likeable, but they are far from caricatures or cut-out types, and we do get insights into their thoughts and motivations that make them, if not sympathetic, at least real and human. And, that includes the guest appearances by true historical figures.
I have tried very hard not to give away much of the plot, although I hope my mention of some of the themes would suffice to get prospective readers interested. I found it a compelling read, both due to the main storyline, and also to the detours, the narrator comments, and the fanciful asides. But this is not a book that zeroes on the action and dismisses anything that is not relevant to the plot (in that way it is perhaps more of a literary fiction novel, but not quite either). This is a long book that meanders on and off through tangents, which eventually we realise are relevant to the overall book but not always to the thriller part of it, so if you’re an impatient reader looking for a light and thrilling read or a who-done-it, this might not be for you. The style of writing is breath-taking, a tour-de-force, with detailed but clear explanations of scientific points, collections of facts and events that make for gripping reading, psychologically astute descriptions of characters and their motivations, philosophical and moral commentaries that will make readers think, and I highlighted so much of the book that I found it almost impossible to choose some fragments to share, but I will try (avoiding major plot points as well):
But that’s the thing about human beings. It’s not laughter or the ability to stand upright that distinguishes man from the animals, it’s the capacity for incompetence. When any other creature makes a mistake, it gets eaten.
It was a truth universally acknowledged in the police force that the middle classes were generally terrified of the police and would shop their grannies without a moment’s hesitation once a cop asked them a question.
Ever had a sudden moment of realisation, an epiphany of the truth that marked out a momentous line in the sands of self-knowledge between everything you thought was the case about the kind of creature you were and everything that was really true? Neither have I.
I have already warned readers about the religious aspects of the book that might not sit well with many readers (no, this is not a Christian book in the usual sense, probably a book that in certain circles and in eras past would have been called a ‘wicked’ book), and there is also violence and some sex scenes (the violence is far more graphic than the sex, in fact it is so extreme that the effect is somewhat cartoonish, but I am not squeamish, so don’t take my word for it). It also deals on a serious and difficult subject, and although it does so in a peculiar way, it does not shy away from the most horrific aspects of it. Having said all that, this is a book I thoroughly recommend. It is not a book for everybody, as you’ll have surmised if you’ve read the rest of the lengthy review (sorry. I got more carried away than usual), but if you like to challenge yourself, you love outlandish thrillers, cryptic crossword clues, unique scornful narrators, satire, and are looking for a new author to follow, do yourself a favour and check it out. It’s a ride on the wild side.
When I was first approached about reviewing this novel I was beyond intrigued. It sounded like something utterly unique and out there. I wasn’t sure it would suit my reading taste, but I knew I had to read it because it sounded like nothing I had read before. And although it took me a while to get to it, I am happy to report my first impression was right. This book is… extraordinary.
Yes, this book is extraordinary because it is out of the ordinary, pretty much so. If we try to define its genre, we’ll have many difficulties. Is it a thriller? There is a pretty special serial killer (those of us who regularly read thrillers know that they are becoming more and more bizarre and extreme, but this one is beyond the usual, even by modern standards) and a series of murders and desecrations connected by a several cryptic clues (yes, crosswords also come into it), but it has too many other elements that do not fit in well with this genre. There are mystery and police-procedural elements to a point, and a couple of interesting and quirky detectives (Scrope and Lister, both from the upper crust with outstanding education, interesting connections, and an armed forces background), and a female PC, Molly Coates (a heroine of the working classes, from the North of England and from as different a background as possible to the dynamic duo but as clever).
There is a paranormal/fantasy element (well, there is a wolf/shifter involved, and there are references to other creatures that might fit into a number of different categories), but the plot takes place in the world we live in (scarily so at times) or a close version of it with ‘interesting touches’ (some fictional, some are a matter of interpretation). There is a scientific explanation for some of the events (involving the Large Hadron Collider) that could put one in mind of science fiction novels, but this is not the main focus of the plot.
There are plenty of references to religion (which is one of the main themes of the book, in particular, the Roman Catholic Religion) but a word of warning, I think truly devoted and orthodox followers of the Catholic faith or even convinced Christians might feel offended by some of the content. There are also plenty of references and a focus on current and recent events (like the sexual abuse of children by members of the RC priesthood, there are also comments about politics, media, and political figures, some international but many centred in the UK, and we have close encounters with preeminent figures like Tony Blair, the Queen of England, the Pope…) but although the references are accurate and there are plenty of quotations from books, newspapers, media, and the internet, these are weaved into the story and it is not non-fiction or a factual account. As I mentioned already, there are plenty of details about everyday British life peppered through the book, and although in my opinion it is not necessary to be British or an expert on the UK to fully understand or enjoy the book, I think people with a good knowledge of UK politics, society, and current affairs will find much to enjoy (and think about) when they read this book. There is also romance, a story of opposites attract that goes beyond the conventional, but it is only a subplot (and not typical of the romantic genre).
Oh, and there are some illustrations (like ink etchings) of characters and events in the book, but I wouldn’t call it a comic, or a picture book (although they add greatly to the overall effect).
The book has also an extraordinary narrator that from very early on challenges the readers, promising some things (a great twist at the end, that, let me tell you now, he delivers), coaxing them, warning them, and never letting them become too complacent or ‘safe’. The narrator, whose identity readers will wonder about for much of the book, is opinionated, has strong points of view and is not, and never pretends to be, a neutral observer. He is witty, well-informed, dismissive at times, rude and pushy, but never ever boring. Scorn, the title of the book, is the mode of much of his narration, and I loved his voice from the beginning, but if you don’t, you will have difficulties with the book. I always recommend readers to check a sample of the book before buying, and this is one of those cases when I feel that is a must. Although some of the narration, mostly to do with the investigation and the main characters (I am trying not to reveal too many details of the plot, but let’s say, things are not what they seem, as most readers will suspect from the beginning) is written in the third person, much of what makes the book special and gives it its structure and its distinctiveness is the narrator.
Do not get me wrong, though, there are plenty of other characters, like the investigators I have mentioned, whom we get to know quite well and whose personalities and adventures would provide sufficient material for gripping, if more conventional, novels in their own right. There is also Aaron Gall, the character at the centre of the plot, who is both the anti-hero and victim, and also acts as a catalyst for the action in the book. We get to know him, and the rest of the characters, quite well, and he is also a stand-in for the many people who have survived abuse (more or less extreme) at the hands of those who were supposed to be looking after their education and spiritual well-being. If I had to choose, my favourite would be Molly, perhaps because I have more in common with her than with the rest of the characters, and Lou, the therapist, but they are all interesting and likeable. Here I am referring to the main characters. Some of the other characters, many of whom we only get temporary glimpses of (including the victims) are not necessarily likeable, but they are far from caricatures or cut-out types, and we do get insights into their thoughts and motivations that make them, if not sympathetic, at least real and human. And, that includes the guest appearances by true historical figures.
I have tried very hard not to give away much of the plot, although I hope my mention of some of the themes would suffice to get prospective readers interested. I found it a compelling read, both due to the main storyline, and also to the detours, the narrator comments, and the fanciful asides. But this is not a book that zeroes on the action and dismisses anything that is not relevant to the plot (in that way it is perhaps more of a literary fiction novel, but not quite either). This is a long book that meanders on and off through tangents, which eventually we realise are relevant to the overall book but not always to the thriller part of it, so if you’re an impatient reader looking for a light and thrilling read or a who-done-it, this might not be for you. The style of writing is breath-taking, a tour-de-force, with detailed but clear explanations of scientific points, collections of facts and events that make for gripping reading, psychologically astute descriptions of characters and their motivations, philosophical and moral commentaries that will make readers think, and I highlighted so much of the book that I found it almost impossible to choose some fragments to share, but I will try (avoiding major plot points as well):
But that’s the thing about human beings. It’s not laughter or the ability to stand upright that distinguishes man from the animals, it’s the capacity for incompetence. When any other creature makes a mistake, it gets eaten.
It was a truth universally acknowledged in the police force that the middle classes were generally terrified of the police and would shop their grannies without a moment’s hesitation once a cop asked them a question.
Ever had a sudden moment of realisation, an epiphany of the truth that marked out a momentous line in the sands of self-knowledge between everything you thought was the case about the kind of creature you were and everything that was really true? Neither have I.
I have already warned readers about the religious aspects of the book that might not sit well with many readers (no, this is not a Christian book in the usual sense, probably a book that in certain circles and in eras past would have been called a ‘wicked’ book), and there is also violence and some sex scenes (the violence is far more graphic than the sex, in fact it is so extreme that the effect is somewhat cartoonish, but I am not squeamish, so don’t take my word for it). It also deals on a serious and difficult subject, and although it does so in a peculiar way, it does not shy away from the most horrific aspects of it. Having said all that, this is a book I thoroughly recommend. It is not a book for everybody, as you’ll have surmised if you’ve read the rest of the lengthy review (sorry. I got more carried away than usual), but if you like to challenge yourself, you love outlandish thrillers, cryptic crossword clues, unique scornful narrators, satire, and are looking for a new author to follow, do yourself a favour and check it out. It’s a ride on the wild side.
September 3, 2018
I am writing this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team (authors, if you’re looking for reviews, I recommend you check her amazing site here) and I thank her and the publisher for providing me an ARC copy of this book that I freely chose to review.
When I was first approached about reviewing this novel I was beyond intrigued. It sounded like something utterly unique and out there. I wasn’t sure it would suit my reading taste, but I knew I had to read it because it sounded like nothing I had read before. And although it took me a while to get to it, I am happy to report my first impression was right. This book is… extraordinary.
Yes, this book is extraordinary because it is out of the ordinary, pretty much so. If we try to define its genre, we’ll have many difficulties. Is it a thriller? There is a pretty special serial killer (those of us who regularly read thrillers know that they are becoming more and more bizarre and extreme, but this one is beyond the usual, even by modern standards) and a series of murders and desecrations connected by a several cryptic clues (yes, crosswords also come into it), but it has too many other elements that do not fit in well with this genre. There are mystery and police-procedural elements to a point, and a couple of interesting and quirky detectives (Scrope and Lister, both from the upper crust with outstanding education, interesting connections, and an armed forces background), and a female PC, Molly Coates (a heroine of the working classes, from the North of England and from as different a background as possible to the dynamic duo but as clever).
There is a paranormal/fantasy element (well, there is a wolf/shifter involved, and there are references to other creatures that might fit into a number of different categories), but the plot takes place in the world we live in (scarily so at times) or a close version of it with ‘interesting touches’ (some fictional, some are a matter of interpretation). There is a scientific explanation for some of the events (involving the Large Hadron Collider) that could put one in mind of science fiction novels, but this is not the main focus of the plot.
There are plenty of references to religion (which is one of the main themes of the book, in particular, the Roman Catholic Religion) but a word of warning, I think truly devoted and orthodox followers of the Catholic faith or even convinced Christians might feel offended by some of the content. There are also plenty of references and a focus on current and recent events (like the sexual abuse of children by members of the RC priesthood, there are also comments about politics, media, and political figures, some international but many centred in the UK, and we have close encounters with preeminent figures like Tony Blair, the Queen of England, the Pope…) but although the references are accurate and there are plenty of quotations from books, newspapers, media, and the internet, these are weaved into the story and it is not non-fiction or a factual account. As I mentioned already, there are plenty of details about everyday British life peppered through the book, and although in my opinion it is not necessary to be British or an expert on the UK to fully understand or enjoy the book, I think people with a good knowledge of UK politics, society, and current affairs will find much to enjoy (and think about) when they read this book. There is also romance, a story of opposites attract that goes beyond the conventional, but it is only a subplot (and not typical of the romantic genre).
Oh, and there are some illustrations (like ink etchings) of characters and events in the book, but I wouldn’t call it a comic, or a picture book (although they add greatly to the overall effect).
The book has also an extraordinary narrator that from very early on challenges the readers, promising some things (a great twist at the end, that, let me tell you now, he delivers), coaxing them, warning them, and never letting them become too complacent or ‘safe’. The narrator, whose identity readers will wonder about for much of the book, is opinionated, has strong points of view and is not, and never pretends to be, a neutral observer. He is witty, well-informed, dismissive at times, rude and pushy, but never ever boring. Scorn, the title of the book, is the mode of much of his narration, and I loved his voice from the beginning, but if you don’t, you will have difficulties with the book. I always recommend readers to check a sample of the book before buying, and this is one of those cases when I feel that is a must. Although some of the narration, mostly to do with the investigation and the main characters (I am trying not to reveal too many details of the plot, but let’s say, things are not what they seem, as most readers will suspect from the beginning) is written in the third person, much of what makes the book special and gives it its structure and its distinctiveness is the narrator.
Do not get me wrong, though, there are plenty of other characters, like the investigators I have mentioned, whom we get to know quite well and whose personalities and adventures would provide sufficient material for gripping, if more conventional, novels in their own right. There is also Aaron Gall, the character at the centre of the plot, who is both the anti-hero and victim, and also acts as a catalyst for the action in the book. We get to know him, and the rest of the characters, quite well, and he is also a stand-in for the many people who have survived abuse (more or less extreme) at the hands of those who were supposed to be looking after their education and spiritual well-being. If I had to choose, my favourite would be Molly, perhaps because I have more in common with her than with the rest of the characters, and Lou, the therapist, but they are all interesting and likeable. Here I am referring to the main characters. Some of the other characters, many of whom we only get temporary glimpses of (including the victims) are not necessarily likeable, but they are far from caricatures or cut-out types, and we do get insights into their thoughts and motivations that make them, if not sympathetic, at least real and human. And, that includes the guest appearances by true historical figures.
I have tried very hard not to give away much of the plot, although I hope my mention of some of the themes would suffice to get prospective readers interested. I found it a compelling read, both due to the main storyline, and also to the detours, the narrator comments, and the fanciful asides. But this is not a book that zeroes on the action and dismisses anything that is not relevant to the plot (in that way it is perhaps more of a literary fiction novel, but not quite either). This is a long book that meanders on and off through tangents, which eventually we realise are relevant to the overall book but not always to the thriller part of it, so if you’re an impatient reader looking for a light and thrilling read or a who-done-it, this might not be for you. The style of writing is breath-taking, a tour-de-force, with detailed but clear explanations of scientific points, collections of facts and events that make for gripping reading, psychologically astute descriptions of characters and their motivations, philosophical and moral commentaries that will make readers think, and I highlighted so much of the book that I found it almost impossible to choose some fragments to share, but I will try (avoiding major plot points as well):
But that’s the thing about human beings. It’s not laughter or the ability to stand upright that distinguishes man from the animals, it’s the capacity for incompetence. When any other creature makes a mistake, it gets eaten.
It was a truth universally acknowledged in the police force that the middle classes were generally terrified of the police and would shop their grannies without a moment’s hesitation once a cop asked them a question.
Ever had a sudden moment of realisation, an epiphany of the truth that marked out a momentous line in the sands of self-knowledge between everything you thought was the case about the kind of creature you were and everything that was really true? Neither have I.
I have already warned readers about the religious aspects of the book that might not sit well with many readers (no, this is not a Christian book in the usual sense, probably a book that in certain circles and in eras past would have been called a ‘wicked’ book), and there is also violence and some sex scenes (the violence is far more graphic than the sex, in fact it is so extreme that the effect is somewhat cartoonish, but I am not squeamish, so don’t take my word for it). It also deals on a serious and difficult subject, and although it does so in a peculiar way, it does not shy away from the most horrific aspects of it. Having said all that, this is a book I thoroughly recommend. It is not a book for everybody, as you’ll have surmised if you’ve read the rest of the lengthy review (sorry. I got more carried away than usual), but if you like to challenge yourself, you love outlandish thrillers, cryptic crossword clues, unique scornful narrators, satire, and are looking for a new author to follow, do yourself a favour and check it out. It’s a ride on the wild side.
When I was first approached about reviewing this novel I was beyond intrigued. It sounded like something utterly unique and out there. I wasn’t sure it would suit my reading taste, but I knew I had to read it because it sounded like nothing I had read before. And although it took me a while to get to it, I am happy to report my first impression was right. This book is… extraordinary.
Yes, this book is extraordinary because it is out of the ordinary, pretty much so. If we try to define its genre, we’ll have many difficulties. Is it a thriller? There is a pretty special serial killer (those of us who regularly read thrillers know that they are becoming more and more bizarre and extreme, but this one is beyond the usual, even by modern standards) and a series of murders and desecrations connected by a several cryptic clues (yes, crosswords also come into it), but it has too many other elements that do not fit in well with this genre. There are mystery and police-procedural elements to a point, and a couple of interesting and quirky detectives (Scrope and Lister, both from the upper crust with outstanding education, interesting connections, and an armed forces background), and a female PC, Molly Coates (a heroine of the working classes, from the North of England and from as different a background as possible to the dynamic duo but as clever).
There is a paranormal/fantasy element (well, there is a wolf/shifter involved, and there are references to other creatures that might fit into a number of different categories), but the plot takes place in the world we live in (scarily so at times) or a close version of it with ‘interesting touches’ (some fictional, some are a matter of interpretation). There is a scientific explanation for some of the events (involving the Large Hadron Collider) that could put one in mind of science fiction novels, but this is not the main focus of the plot.
There are plenty of references to religion (which is one of the main themes of the book, in particular, the Roman Catholic Religion) but a word of warning, I think truly devoted and orthodox followers of the Catholic faith or even convinced Christians might feel offended by some of the content. There are also plenty of references and a focus on current and recent events (like the sexual abuse of children by members of the RC priesthood, there are also comments about politics, media, and political figures, some international but many centred in the UK, and we have close encounters with preeminent figures like Tony Blair, the Queen of England, the Pope…) but although the references are accurate and there are plenty of quotations from books, newspapers, media, and the internet, these are weaved into the story and it is not non-fiction or a factual account. As I mentioned already, there are plenty of details about everyday British life peppered through the book, and although in my opinion it is not necessary to be British or an expert on the UK to fully understand or enjoy the book, I think people with a good knowledge of UK politics, society, and current affairs will find much to enjoy (and think about) when they read this book. There is also romance, a story of opposites attract that goes beyond the conventional, but it is only a subplot (and not typical of the romantic genre).
Oh, and there are some illustrations (like ink etchings) of characters and events in the book, but I wouldn’t call it a comic, or a picture book (although they add greatly to the overall effect).
The book has also an extraordinary narrator that from very early on challenges the readers, promising some things (a great twist at the end, that, let me tell you now, he delivers), coaxing them, warning them, and never letting them become too complacent or ‘safe’. The narrator, whose identity readers will wonder about for much of the book, is opinionated, has strong points of view and is not, and never pretends to be, a neutral observer. He is witty, well-informed, dismissive at times, rude and pushy, but never ever boring. Scorn, the title of the book, is the mode of much of his narration, and I loved his voice from the beginning, but if you don’t, you will have difficulties with the book. I always recommend readers to check a sample of the book before buying, and this is one of those cases when I feel that is a must. Although some of the narration, mostly to do with the investigation and the main characters (I am trying not to reveal too many details of the plot, but let’s say, things are not what they seem, as most readers will suspect from the beginning) is written in the third person, much of what makes the book special and gives it its structure and its distinctiveness is the narrator.
Do not get me wrong, though, there are plenty of other characters, like the investigators I have mentioned, whom we get to know quite well and whose personalities and adventures would provide sufficient material for gripping, if more conventional, novels in their own right. There is also Aaron Gall, the character at the centre of the plot, who is both the anti-hero and victim, and also acts as a catalyst for the action in the book. We get to know him, and the rest of the characters, quite well, and he is also a stand-in for the many people who have survived abuse (more or less extreme) at the hands of those who were supposed to be looking after their education and spiritual well-being. If I had to choose, my favourite would be Molly, perhaps because I have more in common with her than with the rest of the characters, and Lou, the therapist, but they are all interesting and likeable. Here I am referring to the main characters. Some of the other characters, many of whom we only get temporary glimpses of (including the victims) are not necessarily likeable, but they are far from caricatures or cut-out types, and we do get insights into their thoughts and motivations that make them, if not sympathetic, at least real and human. And, that includes the guest appearances by true historical figures.
I have tried very hard not to give away much of the plot, although I hope my mention of some of the themes would suffice to get prospective readers interested. I found it a compelling read, both due to the main storyline, and also to the detours, the narrator comments, and the fanciful asides. But this is not a book that zeroes on the action and dismisses anything that is not relevant to the plot (in that way it is perhaps more of a literary fiction novel, but not quite either). This is a long book that meanders on and off through tangents, which eventually we realise are relevant to the overall book but not always to the thriller part of it, so if you’re an impatient reader looking for a light and thrilling read or a who-done-it, this might not be for you. The style of writing is breath-taking, a tour-de-force, with detailed but clear explanations of scientific points, collections of facts and events that make for gripping reading, psychologically astute descriptions of characters and their motivations, philosophical and moral commentaries that will make readers think, and I highlighted so much of the book that I found it almost impossible to choose some fragments to share, but I will try (avoiding major plot points as well):
But that’s the thing about human beings. It’s not laughter or the ability to stand upright that distinguishes man from the animals, it’s the capacity for incompetence. When any other creature makes a mistake, it gets eaten.
It was a truth universally acknowledged in the police force that the middle classes were generally terrified of the police and would shop their grannies without a moment’s hesitation once a cop asked them a question.
Ever had a sudden moment of realisation, an epiphany of the truth that marked out a momentous line in the sands of self-knowledge between everything you thought was the case about the kind of creature you were and everything that was really true? Neither have I.
I have already warned readers about the religious aspects of the book that might not sit well with many readers (no, this is not a Christian book in the usual sense, probably a book that in certain circles and in eras past would have been called a ‘wicked’ book), and there is also violence and some sex scenes (the violence is far more graphic than the sex, in fact it is so extreme that the effect is somewhat cartoonish, but I am not squeamish, so don’t take my word for it). It also deals on a serious and difficult subject, and although it does so in a peculiar way, it does not shy away from the most horrific aspects of it. Having said all that, this is a book I thoroughly recommend. It is not a book for everybody, as you’ll have surmised if you’ve read the rest of the lengthy review (sorry. I got more carried away than usual), but if you like to challenge yourself, you love outlandish thrillers, cryptic crossword clues, unique scornful narrators, satire, and are looking for a new author to follow, do yourself a favour and check it out. It’s a ride on the wild side.
April 14, 2018
The cover (designed by MECOB) to Paul Hoffman’s Scorn is an adaptation of Velázquez’ magnificent portrait of Pope Innocent X. The pope’s gilded throne and the rich fabrics draping his body speak frankly of wealth and ease, while the man himself is unsettlingly shrewd, calculating and worldly, his watchful eyes already hinting at the existential anguish and capacity for horror depicted in Francis Bacon’s wonderful series of studies of a caged and screaming pope.
We should never judge a book by its cover, of course, but in this case we might wish to bend the rule: a figure of immense authority and power is seated within a blood-red void, seemingly unaware of the angel of death perched confidingly against the crown of his head, as if eating into his brain. The image is arresting and hyperbolic, and it prepares us for what is to come.
To call Scorn a work of righteous anger would barely do justice to its earth-shattering rage, its apocalyptic howl of protest, its caustic humour, irony and indignation. The power of these emotions literally cannot be contained; the novel overspills its own boundaries, spreads outwards into the world by means of its copious epigraphs and epilogues, illustrations, quotations and allusions – even mixing genres and providing external links. ‘Real people,’ such as Tony Blair and the Queen, converse with outlandish fictional characters; reality intrudes at every moment. Conventional storytelling alone, it seems, is not enough to carry the burden of the novel’s scorn.
‘Come here, Your Grace. I want to chastise you,’ says one of Scorn’s principal characters, quoting Lt. Harry Kello’s chillingly playful request of doomed Sidney Falco in Sweet Smell of Success (1957), a film whose theme – the slow death of the soul – is shared by Scorn. The souls in Scorn, however, are murdered rather than eroded. They are the souls of children starved of just about everything that makes life worthwhile, among them decent food and shelter, freedom from fear, love and fellow-feeling.
In Scorn, to begin with, those who scorn are the nuns and priests in Catholic churches, schools and institutions, aided and abetted by the silence and concealment mandated by the Vatican itself. To be clear: Paul Hoffman is not primarily addressing the worldwide scandal of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Rather, his ostensible focus is on the mundane cruelties and deprivations that were inflicted by nuns and priests on a daily basis, and what that does to individuals who then have to make their way in the world.
Or so it seems, for Scorn is full of unexpected juxtapositions and misdirections. Soon after an episode of exceptional cruelty endured by little Aaron Gall (the nearest to a hero the novel has to offer), Scorn wrongfoots the reader by enlarging the scope of wickedness:
This exhilarating and audacious manoeuvre is typical of Scorn’s exploration of power and injustice, which are so imbricated at times as to be mutually indistinguishable. All injustice, every abuse of power, every concealed crime, are interlinked and intimately connected. ‘The spirit of the times,’ we are told, ‘moves through everyone,’ so that a love affair, for example, can perish on the rocks of a historical injustice, the profits from which are still enjoyed by the privileged few.
Appropriately, Scorn’s many adversions to historical iniquities are paralleled with references and allusions to historical fictions, among them Samuel Butler’s Erewhon (1872), William Morris’s News from Nowhere (1890) and Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities (1859). The personification of Evil, it appears, is a film buff who can quote with ease from works ranging from Double Indemnity (1944) to Pink Flamingos (1972).
In Scorn the story of Aaron Gall’s experiences is coupled with a police investigation into a series of grotesquely bizarre murders. We listen in as victims engage in a verbal battle of wits with their murderer for the higher ground of self-exculpation, offering reasons and excuses, even defiance, each successive victim increasing in sophistication and sophistry. The investigation itself is inflected with issues of class and privilege, antagonism and deceit.
The story becomes increasingly fantastic as the novel progresses, which will enthrall many readers and perhaps puzzle or disappoint others. Much depends on expectations. The novel takes a big risk right from the start by promising (quite literally) that it has an astonishing twist in the tail. Said twist is entirely predictable, however, very early on, so it might have been better left unsaid – not that this a serious flaw, but readers who count on such things are bound to feel cheated.
Otherwise, Scorn is a wildly anarchic, countercultural phantasmagoria of a novel, reminiscent at times of Jonathan Coe’s Number 11. Its unquenchable outrage and its marked preference for form over character can be exhausting as well as compelling. Its nuances of argument about power and morality are hardly matched by nuances of characterization: persons are more-or-less representative types moved around like billiard balls. This is not a novel of rounded individuals confronting one another in a fully realized world. That isn’t a weakness, but it is a particularity of a book immersed in its own moral purpose. Scorn is often funny even as its purpose is intensely serious: we are called upon to grasp the perfidy of power, the depth of the world’s structural violence, our limitless capacity for self-delusion and hypocrisy.
In other words, Scorn is a witty and acerbic novel that tells the truth, that seeks to animate rather than console. That in itself provides reasons to rejoice, particularly in an era when humanity’s gargantuan appetite for cruelty and stupidity is draped in dazzling robes of blood-red splendour.
We should never judge a book by its cover, of course, but in this case we might wish to bend the rule: a figure of immense authority and power is seated within a blood-red void, seemingly unaware of the angel of death perched confidingly against the crown of his head, as if eating into his brain. The image is arresting and hyperbolic, and it prepares us for what is to come.
To call Scorn a work of righteous anger would barely do justice to its earth-shattering rage, its apocalyptic howl of protest, its caustic humour, irony and indignation. The power of these emotions literally cannot be contained; the novel overspills its own boundaries, spreads outwards into the world by means of its copious epigraphs and epilogues, illustrations, quotations and allusions – even mixing genres and providing external links. ‘Real people,’ such as Tony Blair and the Queen, converse with outlandish fictional characters; reality intrudes at every moment. Conventional storytelling alone, it seems, is not enough to carry the burden of the novel’s scorn.
‘Come here, Your Grace. I want to chastise you,’ says one of Scorn’s principal characters, quoting Lt. Harry Kello’s chillingly playful request of doomed Sidney Falco in Sweet Smell of Success (1957), a film whose theme – the slow death of the soul – is shared by Scorn. The souls in Scorn, however, are murdered rather than eroded. They are the souls of children starved of just about everything that makes life worthwhile, among them decent food and shelter, freedom from fear, love and fellow-feeling.
In Scorn, to begin with, those who scorn are the nuns and priests in Catholic churches, schools and institutions, aided and abetted by the silence and concealment mandated by the Vatican itself. To be clear: Paul Hoffman is not primarily addressing the worldwide scandal of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Rather, his ostensible focus is on the mundane cruelties and deprivations that were inflicted by nuns and priests on a daily basis, and what that does to individuals who then have to make their way in the world.
Or so it seems, for Scorn is full of unexpected juxtapositions and misdirections. Soon after an episode of exceptional cruelty endured by little Aaron Gall (the nearest to a hero the novel has to offer), Scorn wrongfoots the reader by enlarging the scope of wickedness:
While he was being branded on his little soul … Chairman Mao’s Great Leap Forward was creating the conditions for thirty million people to starve to death. While a few dozens of children were living in fear of Mother Mary Frances, some parents in Xingyang were eating theirs.
This exhilarating and audacious manoeuvre is typical of Scorn’s exploration of power and injustice, which are so imbricated at times as to be mutually indistinguishable. All injustice, every abuse of power, every concealed crime, are interlinked and intimately connected. ‘The spirit of the times,’ we are told, ‘moves through everyone,’ so that a love affair, for example, can perish on the rocks of a historical injustice, the profits from which are still enjoyed by the privileged few.
Appropriately, Scorn’s many adversions to historical iniquities are paralleled with references and allusions to historical fictions, among them Samuel Butler’s Erewhon (1872), William Morris’s News from Nowhere (1890) and Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities (1859). The personification of Evil, it appears, is a film buff who can quote with ease from works ranging from Double Indemnity (1944) to Pink Flamingos (1972).
In Scorn the story of Aaron Gall’s experiences is coupled with a police investigation into a series of grotesquely bizarre murders. We listen in as victims engage in a verbal battle of wits with their murderer for the higher ground of self-exculpation, offering reasons and excuses, even defiance, each successive victim increasing in sophistication and sophistry. The investigation itself is inflected with issues of class and privilege, antagonism and deceit.
The story becomes increasingly fantastic as the novel progresses, which will enthrall many readers and perhaps puzzle or disappoint others. Much depends on expectations. The novel takes a big risk right from the start by promising (quite literally) that it has an astonishing twist in the tail. Said twist is entirely predictable, however, very early on, so it might have been better left unsaid – not that this a serious flaw, but readers who count on such things are bound to feel cheated.
Otherwise, Scorn is a wildly anarchic, countercultural phantasmagoria of a novel, reminiscent at times of Jonathan Coe’s Number 11. Its unquenchable outrage and its marked preference for form over character can be exhausting as well as compelling. Its nuances of argument about power and morality are hardly matched by nuances of characterization: persons are more-or-less representative types moved around like billiard balls. This is not a novel of rounded individuals confronting one another in a fully realized world. That isn’t a weakness, but it is a particularity of a book immersed in its own moral purpose. Scorn is often funny even as its purpose is intensely serious: we are called upon to grasp the perfidy of power, the depth of the world’s structural violence, our limitless capacity for self-delusion and hypocrisy.
In other words, Scorn is a witty and acerbic novel that tells the truth, that seeks to animate rather than console. That in itself provides reasons to rejoice, particularly in an era when humanity’s gargantuan appetite for cruelty and stupidity is draped in dazzling robes of blood-red splendour.
March 9, 2020
The conceit is fine. The fantastical elements and mystery elements are fine. The message about the Catholic Church is fine, and to be fair I think the topic does warrant the level of disdain the book throws.
But a lot of my experience was rolling my eyes as I got through certain passages. It’s the performative cleverness in the writing itself. And that it’s such a long book for being about one thing (it seemed like there could be a theme about class but I can’t tell what the ending to that arc was).
Not my cup of tea.
But a lot of my experience was rolling my eyes as I got through certain passages. It’s the performative cleverness in the writing itself. And that it’s such a long book for being about one thing (it seemed like there could be a theme about class but I can’t tell what the ending to that arc was).
Not my cup of tea.
October 5, 2017
Scorn is definitely one of those reads that you won’t forget long time after you have read it. With its bold statement and crazy concepts, I was blown away by the intensity between these pages. Following Aaron Gall, a scientist who is transformed into a werewolf during an incident at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. This impossible event leaves Aaron with the ability to turn into a nightmarish werewolf at will (for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, just the word Transmogrification thrown in for good measure), and he develops a insatiable hunger for revenge and justice. Having suffered at the hands of the those who raised him within the Catholic Faith, Aaron is looking for retribution.
Scorn dives into the dark history of Catholicism, their ancient history, their decisions during key historical tragedies and the recent abuse scandal that rocked the world to its core. Aaron’s mission may be personal but he has the weight of those who suffered due to Faith behind him. Aaron is on a mission to kill those responsible for his own personal suffering and also those who let it happen. After his mission begins Aaron realises he won’t stop until he reaches the top of the hierarchy, The Holy Father himself.
Scorn also follows Metropolitan Police officers Scrope and Lister who are assigned to catch a murderous psychopath who is tearing his victims limb from limb. The killer is leaving clues for the detectives, hints that reveal his next victims, his mission and his identity. Scrope and Lister must keep ahead of the game, rushing from scene to scene, figuring out the cryptic messages and catch this monster. Not wanting to face the fact that they may be facing a horror worse than their tours in Iraq, they are struggling to keep their focus on rationality.
There is so much going on in Scorn that it is hard to put it all into words. Well Hoffman did but it took him 524 pages so it is certainly a complex story to describe. Luckily for the reader, Hoffman keeps the general tone of the novel upbeat and facetious but I felt that Hoffman’s writing was not as accessible as I would have wanted it to be. His writing is a definitely interesting and enjoyable with a intriguing blend of surrealism, witticism, bluntness and humour. But his description and explanation of events surrounding both Aaron (and his abilities) and the Catholic Faith (and their failures) seems rushed and over-complicated at times. The story is narrated by an ‘secret overseer’ who talks directly to the reader at times which I thought was an interesting touch.
My favourite part of this novel has to be Scrope and Lister. I enjoyed their stories, dynamics and their manic chase to catch up with Aaron the werewolf. They are intellectual, war hardened and flawed. Both fighting an image problem within the Met Police and their own pasts concerning the Catholic Faith, they are brilliant characters and made this novel immensely readable. I did appreciate Aaron’s story. No child should suffer at the hands of an adult in any form (the concept of Soul Murder broke my heart) and Aaron is using his new curse (or blessing..?) to confront his misery and get past the existential crisis he has been fighting his whole life. It is fundamentally a honourable crusade but the insanity of his story was probably just a tad too much for me to handle. Especially the ending, you have to read it to believe it 😀
Hoffman really tears into the Catholic Faith in Scorn. The narrative is peppered with quotes from hundreds of sources. Quotes to do with the abuse scandal. Quotes concerning their leadership choices. Quotes that focus on their failures and cover-ups. It is certainly shocking and it is clear that Hoffman wanted to face this subject head on. There is nothing subtle about his writing and I applaud that, Hoffman doesn’t play it safe one bit and I found that admirable. There are problems with this novel as I stated above. Inaccessible writing, difficult themes and insufficient elaboration left me scratching my head or frustrated. That said, the overall novel experience was an unforgettable one and I am glad to have read this story. I was pleasantly caught up in the absurdity of it all (including the little cartoons that appear amongst the pages) and despite the dark heart of the book, I enjoyed my time reading Hoffman’s work.
Overall I have given Scorn 3.5/5 stars because it is a good novel that explores some brilliant characters, ideas and concepts. I recommend Scorn to all readers who would enjoy an outlandish tale of revenge that is aimed at one of the biggest institutions in the world.
Scorn dives into the dark history of Catholicism, their ancient history, their decisions during key historical tragedies and the recent abuse scandal that rocked the world to its core. Aaron’s mission may be personal but he has the weight of those who suffered due to Faith behind him. Aaron is on a mission to kill those responsible for his own personal suffering and also those who let it happen. After his mission begins Aaron realises he won’t stop until he reaches the top of the hierarchy, The Holy Father himself.
Scorn also follows Metropolitan Police officers Scrope and Lister who are assigned to catch a murderous psychopath who is tearing his victims limb from limb. The killer is leaving clues for the detectives, hints that reveal his next victims, his mission and his identity. Scrope and Lister must keep ahead of the game, rushing from scene to scene, figuring out the cryptic messages and catch this monster. Not wanting to face the fact that they may be facing a horror worse than their tours in Iraq, they are struggling to keep their focus on rationality.
There is so much going on in Scorn that it is hard to put it all into words. Well Hoffman did but it took him 524 pages so it is certainly a complex story to describe. Luckily for the reader, Hoffman keeps the general tone of the novel upbeat and facetious but I felt that Hoffman’s writing was not as accessible as I would have wanted it to be. His writing is a definitely interesting and enjoyable with a intriguing blend of surrealism, witticism, bluntness and humour. But his description and explanation of events surrounding both Aaron (and his abilities) and the Catholic Faith (and their failures) seems rushed and over-complicated at times. The story is narrated by an ‘secret overseer’ who talks directly to the reader at times which I thought was an interesting touch.
My favourite part of this novel has to be Scrope and Lister. I enjoyed their stories, dynamics and their manic chase to catch up with Aaron the werewolf. They are intellectual, war hardened and flawed. Both fighting an image problem within the Met Police and their own pasts concerning the Catholic Faith, they are brilliant characters and made this novel immensely readable. I did appreciate Aaron’s story. No child should suffer at the hands of an adult in any form (the concept of Soul Murder broke my heart) and Aaron is using his new curse (or blessing..?) to confront his misery and get past the existential crisis he has been fighting his whole life. It is fundamentally a honourable crusade but the insanity of his story was probably just a tad too much for me to handle. Especially the ending, you have to read it to believe it 😀
Hoffman really tears into the Catholic Faith in Scorn. The narrative is peppered with quotes from hundreds of sources. Quotes to do with the abuse scandal. Quotes concerning their leadership choices. Quotes that focus on their failures and cover-ups. It is certainly shocking and it is clear that Hoffman wanted to face this subject head on. There is nothing subtle about his writing and I applaud that, Hoffman doesn’t play it safe one bit and I found that admirable. There are problems with this novel as I stated above. Inaccessible writing, difficult themes and insufficient elaboration left me scratching my head or frustrated. That said, the overall novel experience was an unforgettable one and I am glad to have read this story. I was pleasantly caught up in the absurdity of it all (including the little cartoons that appear amongst the pages) and despite the dark heart of the book, I enjoyed my time reading Hoffman’s work.
Overall I have given Scorn 3.5/5 stars because it is a good novel that explores some brilliant characters, ideas and concepts. I recommend Scorn to all readers who would enjoy an outlandish tale of revenge that is aimed at one of the biggest institutions in the world.
October 3, 2017
Note: This book was received from the publisher in return for an honest review
Just after I started reading Scorn at the beginning of the week I included it in my WWW Wednesday post, I was a couple of chapters in and I said I thought the book would be a marmite book, people would either love it of they would hate it. Despite that statement I ended up smack bang in the middle, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either, I do still predict that this book will be hugely divisive.
So what is Scorn about? Aaron Gall is a physicist working in Geneva as part of the team working at the Large Hadron Collider, when there’s an accident and a small black hole opens up in the middle of his brain leading to the events of the book, which sees the murder of a number of people linked to the Catholic church.
The book deals with the very topical subject of abuse, sexual, physical and mental, of children by members of the Catholic Church, it’s a controversial topic, and it’s certainly dealt with in a quite controversial way! I understand things than happened to Aaron and others, both in fiction and reality, was terrible; and the part of me that studied Psychology at university has a very basic understanding of things that could happen as a result of damage to the amygdala occurs, but what happens in the book can be brutal, and graphic, it’s not a book for the fainthearted!
Things I liked – I liked the two police officers, Scrope and Lister, their banter amused me, both from wealthy families they served together in the military before being fast tracked into the police, and safe to say not the most liked by the rank and file of the force.
I also liked the random doodles throughout the book,I had a proof, so I’m assuming they remain in the finished edition. I liked the way they broke up the text slightly, it’s a big book!
I also liked the cryptic crossword clues – I have a friend who likes reading the answers to cryptic crosswords and then trying to figure out how you were supposed to get there from the clue, I’m not the biggest crossword puzzler but I did enjoy trying to figure them out!
For full disclosure I have to admit there were also aspects of the book I wasn’t keen on. Firstly throughout the book there are frequent sections where the author speaks directly to the reader. I know that there are people out there who won’t mind that in the slightest,and there are people who will love it. For me, I felt it pulled me out of the main story line each time it happened. In a similar manner there were quotes between each of the chapters, in some cases relatively substantial blocks of text, which while relevant to the overall themes again tended to pull me out of the story line.
Finally a number of real people appear in the book, including The Queen, Tony Blair and The Pope. I read a lot of crime fiction and thrillers and don’t consider myself squeamish, but having things happen to real people made parts of the book a little uncomfortable for me.
Would I Recommend?
I would very rarely tell anyone not to read a book, and I’m not here either. Yes I had some issues with it, but I also enjoyed some of the dark humour and I’m just one opinion in a very large world. As I said I think this book as the potential to be controversial, I’m sure some people will find it to be anti-catholic, but I would encourage anyone who is interested by premise of the book should pick it up and give it a go
Just after I started reading Scorn at the beginning of the week I included it in my WWW Wednesday post, I was a couple of chapters in and I said I thought the book would be a marmite book, people would either love it of they would hate it. Despite that statement I ended up smack bang in the middle, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either, I do still predict that this book will be hugely divisive.
So what is Scorn about? Aaron Gall is a physicist working in Geneva as part of the team working at the Large Hadron Collider, when there’s an accident and a small black hole opens up in the middle of his brain leading to the events of the book, which sees the murder of a number of people linked to the Catholic church.
The book deals with the very topical subject of abuse, sexual, physical and mental, of children by members of the Catholic Church, it’s a controversial topic, and it’s certainly dealt with in a quite controversial way! I understand things than happened to Aaron and others, both in fiction and reality, was terrible; and the part of me that studied Psychology at university has a very basic understanding of things that could happen as a result of damage to the amygdala occurs, but what happens in the book can be brutal, and graphic, it’s not a book for the fainthearted!
Things I liked – I liked the two police officers, Scrope and Lister, their banter amused me, both from wealthy families they served together in the military before being fast tracked into the police, and safe to say not the most liked by the rank and file of the force.
I also liked the random doodles throughout the book,I had a proof, so I’m assuming they remain in the finished edition. I liked the way they broke up the text slightly, it’s a big book!
I also liked the cryptic crossword clues – I have a friend who likes reading the answers to cryptic crosswords and then trying to figure out how you were supposed to get there from the clue, I’m not the biggest crossword puzzler but I did enjoy trying to figure them out!
For full disclosure I have to admit there were also aspects of the book I wasn’t keen on. Firstly throughout the book there are frequent sections where the author speaks directly to the reader. I know that there are people out there who won’t mind that in the slightest,and there are people who will love it. For me, I felt it pulled me out of the main story line each time it happened. In a similar manner there were quotes between each of the chapters, in some cases relatively substantial blocks of text, which while relevant to the overall themes again tended to pull me out of the story line.
Finally a number of real people appear in the book, including The Queen, Tony Blair and The Pope. I read a lot of crime fiction and thrillers and don’t consider myself squeamish, but having things happen to real people made parts of the book a little uncomfortable for me.
Would I Recommend?
I would very rarely tell anyone not to read a book, and I’m not here either. Yes I had some issues with it, but I also enjoyed some of the dark humour and I’m just one opinion in a very large world. As I said I think this book as the potential to be controversial, I’m sure some people will find it to be anti-catholic, but I would encourage anyone who is interested by premise of the book should pick it up and give it a go
August 7, 2017
I got an advance copy of this book and was instantly entranced. It absolutely captivated me, with the realism of the characters and the smart (but somewhat familiar) style of writing. Not-so-hidden references to some nerdy stuff within the book and the religious revenge aspect were excellent.
Paul Hoffman is clearly a very smart guy, who absolutely perplexed me with his cryptic crossword clues. I thought the book was great, right until the end.
No spoilers, but I was so disappointed by the last 40 or so pages - I'd powered through and read it in three days and was massively let down. Especially by the epilogues. It would have had 5 stars if a little more effort had been put in to the ending.
Paul Hoffman is clearly a very smart guy, who absolutely perplexed me with his cryptic crossword clues. I thought the book was great, right until the end.
No spoilers, but I was so disappointed by the last 40 or so pages - I'd powered through and read it in three days and was massively let down. Especially by the epilogues. It would have had 5 stars if a little more effort had been put in to the ending.
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September 18, 2021ALTHOUGH A LITTLE SLOW TO GET INTO, ONCE IT GOT GOING WHAT A READ A BOY BROUGHT UP IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL WHO WAS PHYSICALLY ABUSED NOW GETTING HIS REVENGE AS A MAN AS HE CAN NOW CHANGE INTO A WEREWOLF AND IS EATING CATHOLIC PRIESTS! FOUND THIS ONE VERY ENTERTAINING.
July 19, 2022
Pretty much The Wisdom of Crocodiles 2.0. Even chucked in the same crossword clue. Nonetheless, a very entertaining and funny account of a physicist turned angry werewolf rampaging all the way to the pope (via Tony Blair) for the grand finale. I’m off now to watch Chelsea vs West Bromwich Albion.
November 17, 2017
This is one of those books you really should read.
September 27, 2018
The between chapter facts are heartbreaking.
May 9, 2019
Astonishing. Could not recommend enough.
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