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Effigy: Mormons. Polygamy. Taxidermy. Love.
"A small masterpiece . . . Exhilarating and genuinely fresh." ---National Post (Canada)Set on a Mormon ranch in nineteenth-century Utah, and inspired by the real events of the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, Alissa York's Effigy is a haunting story of a polygamous family united by faith but separated by secrets.At the heart of the novel is Dorrie, the fourth wife of rancher, hunter, and horse breeder Erastus Hammer. A pale child bride with a mass of untamable black hair, she cannot recall anything of her life before she recovered from an illness at the age of seven. Her keenest pleasure lies in the act of bringing dead creatures to life through the art of taxidermy, and Hammer has married her not for love, or even lust, but so that she might make fitting trophies of his kills. The matter is urgent for Hammer, as he is slowly going blind.Happy to be given this work, Dorrie secludes herself in her workshop world, away from Mother Hammer's watchful eye and the rivalry of the elder wives. But when Hammer brings Dorrie a whole family of wolves to fashion into a tableau, she struggles with her craft for the first time in her short life, dreaming each night of crows and strange scenes of violence. The new hand, Bendy Drown, is the only one to see her dilemma and offer her help, a dangerous game in a Mormon household.Outside, a lone wolf prowls the grounds looking for his lost pack, and his nocturnal searching will unearth the secret tensions of this complex and conflicted family.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
12 people are currently reading
558 people want to read
About the author
Alissa York
14 books71 followersBorn in 1970, Alissa York has lived all over Canada and now makes her home in Toronto with her husband, writer/filmmaker Clive Holden.
York's award-winning short fiction has appeared in various literary journals and anthologies, and in the collection, Any Given Power, published by Arbeiter Ring Publishing in 1999. Her first novel, Mercy, published by Random House Canada in 2003, was a Canadian bestseller. Dutch, French and US editions have appeared since.
York's novel Effigy was published by Random House Canada in April, 2007, and was short-listed for the Giller Prize. International rights to the book have sold in Holland, Italy, France and the US.
York's award-winning short fiction has appeared in various literary journals and anthologies, and in the collection, Any Given Power, published by Arbeiter Ring Publishing in 1999. Her first novel, Mercy, published by Random House Canada in 2003, was a Canadian bestseller. Dutch, French and US editions have appeared since.
York's novel Effigy was published by Random House Canada in April, 2007, and was short-listed for the Giller Prize. International rights to the book have sold in Holland, Italy, France and the US.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 23, 2009
I started this book at the 5 star level and then wound my way down to 2 stars, ending at 3 because the ending somewhat rescued the book for me. The prose is indirect, poetic and oblique and you have to strain not to miss a cue, which I did not mind, but the fractured shifting of viewpoints irritated me after awhile, especially when many of the characters' back-stories had to be accounted for. I began to lose track of who's back story was who's, until they all came full circle and the present story got underway.
When a story is fragmented so much(some POV sections were less than half a page long) in order to keep the reader guessing, one wonders whether the core story itself had much intrinsic drama in it. And how often can the author open each section in the present story and immediately take her characters back into the past to fill in the holes in that tapestry that she herself has decided to render to us in fragments?
I've come across books like this increasingly in the last couple of years, and wonder if this seems to be an emerging style. It makes me wonder what happened to the art of telling a story - to the art of going from A to Z sequentally and gripping your reader all the way, rather than jump all over the alphabet and finally arrive at Z to have your reader ask you - "are we there yet?"
When a story is fragmented so much(some POV sections were less than half a page long) in order to keep the reader guessing, one wonders whether the core story itself had much intrinsic drama in it. And how often can the author open each section in the present story and immediately take her characters back into the past to fill in the holes in that tapestry that she herself has decided to render to us in fragments?
I've come across books like this increasingly in the last couple of years, and wonder if this seems to be an emerging style. It makes me wonder what happened to the art of telling a story - to the art of going from A to Z sequentally and gripping your reader all the way, rather than jump all over the alphabet and finally arrive at Z to have your reader ask you - "are we there yet?"
January 3, 2009
Pulled me right in, entranced me, kept me hooked until the last page. Sorry to close it. Innovative structure and beautiful visuals. A reminder of not only how history is woven togther by the differing players. Women do what they have to in order to survive in unforgiving times that allowed them little lattitude for survival. Easy to type-cast the characters until York reveals them in slow, painful layers, so subtly.
July 26, 2011
This book was like a wine with too much happening on the palate. Overwhelming. York has tried to be symbolic, deep, and meaningful. What she's forgotten is to be a story-teller. Her profusion of characters and her penchant for flashbacks and dream sequences, took away from some interesting situations with Bendy and Dorrie. Keep it simple. I've read other complex fiction, but those books didn't feel like I was being diverted and detoured needlessly, way off the beaten path. Kudos for the idea of using a Mormon taxidermist and a nomadic Victorian contortionist as characters, but use them in a more linear way, don't dilute, detour, and divert.
September 8, 2014
This was an intensely pleasurable read, full of great characterizations and subtle story-telling. Historically, the tone is spot-on 19th century Utah, but under that is a layer of the fantastical that gives even the mundane a richness beyond your usual historical fiction. Polygamy, obsessive taxidermy, small changeling child-bride taxidermist, forbidden lust, dark and shameful secrets, pioneer lingerie, and a contortionist named Bendy. Looking forward to reading it again.
March 23, 2017
Inspired by the real events of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Effigy is set on a Mormon ranch in 19th C Utah. Masterfully told from the points of view of the wives (yes, wives!) of a polygamous house breeder, this fascinating tale haunted me in just the way I love.
August 31, 2011
I read this a few years ago and remember it as a dark and complex book, full of strange, and in some cases, terrible, people, lurking dreams, evil, but nevertheless, infused with a deep humanity. Set in the aftermath of the darkest episode in Mormon History, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, it’s an historical novel about homesteading, polygamy, and four extremely interesting wives. One’s a taxidermist. One raises silk worms. Really well researched, I think it’s a masterpiece. Should have won something
November 18, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down but took awhile to read. The story skips around and at times was a little hard to follow but it all came together nicely in the end. I enjoyed the historical aspects and the character development. The whole story was well woven.
October 21, 2018
I really liked this complex family drama about real events in Mormon history. Polygamy, a circus contortionist, silkworms, and everything you ever want to know about taxidermy are the highlights of this novel. I dug it.
January 6, 2013
How I Came To Read This Book: I believe I received a free copy of it by a random draw after filling out a survey...years ago.
The Plot: The present day of the story takes place in 1867, on a Mormon ranch in Utah. Erastus Hammer has four wives - the first, Ursula, a striking woman that gave her heart to the church long before she gave into Hammer, and now rules over the home with an iron will after her first and only son robbed her of being able to give life again. The second, Ruth, a complacent beauty that has given the family five of its six children but prefers the company of her silkworms to the family. The third, Thankful, a less-than-pretty showgirl that has Hammer's affections, but not in the unequivocal way she desires. And the fourth, Eudora aka Dorrie, who as a child bride was brought on board for her skills as a taxidermist. The story follows each of the wives and Hammer in the present day as they grapple with their own insecurities and anger at the way their lives have turned out. Alongside them are three male characters - Tracker, an Indian that lives on Hammer's property and helps him hunt. Lal, Ursula and Hammer's useless but beautiful son that lusts after Ruth. And Bendy, the new ranch hand with a background dusted with unlucky gold, and an interest in Dorrie. The story is widely littered with backstory as well some interesting features, like a series of letters written by Dorrie's 'mother' that coincide with a series of Dorrie's dreams.
The Good & The Bad: I liked this book more than I thought I would, to the point where I'm quite tempted to give it four stars. It's not getting those stars though, because there were some parts I found myself utterly bored by the story - namely Dorrie's dreams and any part of the book involving Tracker's background. But beyond that, I actually quite liked the book. I thought the characterization of this diverse cast was quite well done - I could easily have a conversation with someone about each person as though they were real, because York succeeded in creating characters who were both defined by a select number of characteristics without making them feel formulaic or expected, but based in the back stories the book is rich with.
The story itself may have been light - a major plot point I guess is Dorrie's struggle with mounting a family of wolves, the father of which is stalking the property - but I still found myself eager to read more and get through the book. The back stories were interesting in and of themselves, and not just because of the colour they gave to the present day. In particular Bendy's story and short stint in a circus were a surprisingly entertaining set of diversions (I suspect York liked him as a character too, for he got the biggest slew of back story despite being a secondary character).
One quick note is the book did feel a little strangely modern to me. Not in the 21st century sense, but some of the characters actions / words / portions of their lives felt more like they belonged to the 1910s / 20s as opposed to the 1860s, when the book is largely set (although most of it is really set BEFORE then). I don't know my history all that well, but it seemed a little off to me.
Still I generally enjoyed this book, despite all the strikes that would normally dissuade me from doing so.
The Bottom Line: A solid piece of literary fiction.
Anything Memorable?: Nope
65 Book Challenge?: Book #1 in 2013
The Plot: The present day of the story takes place in 1867, on a Mormon ranch in Utah. Erastus Hammer has four wives - the first, Ursula, a striking woman that gave her heart to the church long before she gave into Hammer, and now rules over the home with an iron will after her first and only son robbed her of being able to give life again. The second, Ruth, a complacent beauty that has given the family five of its six children but prefers the company of her silkworms to the family. The third, Thankful, a less-than-pretty showgirl that has Hammer's affections, but not in the unequivocal way she desires. And the fourth, Eudora aka Dorrie, who as a child bride was brought on board for her skills as a taxidermist. The story follows each of the wives and Hammer in the present day as they grapple with their own insecurities and anger at the way their lives have turned out. Alongside them are three male characters - Tracker, an Indian that lives on Hammer's property and helps him hunt. Lal, Ursula and Hammer's useless but beautiful son that lusts after Ruth. And Bendy, the new ranch hand with a background dusted with unlucky gold, and an interest in Dorrie. The story is widely littered with backstory as well some interesting features, like a series of letters written by Dorrie's 'mother' that coincide with a series of Dorrie's dreams.
The Good & The Bad: I liked this book more than I thought I would, to the point where I'm quite tempted to give it four stars. It's not getting those stars though, because there were some parts I found myself utterly bored by the story - namely Dorrie's dreams and any part of the book involving Tracker's background. But beyond that, I actually quite liked the book. I thought the characterization of this diverse cast was quite well done - I could easily have a conversation with someone about each person as though they were real, because York succeeded in creating characters who were both defined by a select number of characteristics without making them feel formulaic or expected, but based in the back stories the book is rich with.
The story itself may have been light - a major plot point I guess is Dorrie's struggle with mounting a family of wolves, the father of which is stalking the property - but I still found myself eager to read more and get through the book. The back stories were interesting in and of themselves, and not just because of the colour they gave to the present day. In particular Bendy's story and short stint in a circus were a surprisingly entertaining set of diversions (I suspect York liked him as a character too, for he got the biggest slew of back story despite being a secondary character).
One quick note is the book did feel a little strangely modern to me. Not in the 21st century sense, but some of the characters actions / words / portions of their lives felt more like they belonged to the 1910s / 20s as opposed to the 1860s, when the book is largely set (although most of it is really set BEFORE then). I don't know my history all that well, but it seemed a little off to me.
Still I generally enjoyed this book, despite all the strikes that would normally dissuade me from doing so.
The Bottom Line: A solid piece of literary fiction.
Anything Memorable?: Nope
65 Book Challenge?: Book #1 in 2013
April 18, 2009
I haven't exactly been crazy about a couple of books I've recently read, so you can imagine how stoked I was when I picked this up at the library. "It's about Mormons, on the frontier, and the last wife loves taxidermy?! Count me in!!" I was not disappointed.
And really, you don't need to know much more than that. The author may be Canadian, but it takes place on the American frontier, shortly after the Civil War. The fourth wife is new to the enormous family, they live on a farm, there's all kinds of drama, and it's really, really good. Oh, and it would be a great book club book, there's a TON to discuss.
...ever since he'd received word of Bill Drown's comeuppance, he could feel himself coming loose from the moorings of his new life. Could a boy--a man, really, he was closing in on fifteen--could a man one day up and begin to float? A fool's notion. But in the war between sense and sensation, the latter inevitably holds sway.
He took to keeping his hands full at all times ...At night he draped himself with heavy saddle blankets, woke sweating, certain he'd dropped into consciousness from a position several inches above the straw.
And really, you don't need to know much more than that. The author may be Canadian, but it takes place on the American frontier, shortly after the Civil War. The fourth wife is new to the enormous family, they live on a farm, there's all kinds of drama, and it's really, really good. Oh, and it would be a great book club book, there's a TON to discuss.
...ever since he'd received word of Bill Drown's comeuppance, he could feel himself coming loose from the moorings of his new life. Could a boy--a man, really, he was closing in on fifteen--could a man one day up and begin to float? A fool's notion. But in the war between sense and sensation, the latter inevitably holds sway.
He took to keeping his hands full at all times ...At night he draped himself with heavy saddle blankets, woke sweating, certain he'd dropped into consciousness from a position several inches above the straw.
January 12, 2011
I started this book but never finished it. While it wasn't really bad, it never drew me in enough to keep my interest. When I read that it was a historical novel about polygamy and taxidermy, but the writing turned me off. It never develops a real sense of place nor a feeling that it's really going anywhere. I was also quite put off by the cast of "magical" characters. Almost every character is preternaturally good at something: one makes amazingly lifelike taxidermy mounts, another can twist his body into magically accurate representations of animals, another charms silkworms, another makes wild and fanciful costumes...it's practically a full unbelievably talented college art department all under one roof. When I found myself rolling my eyes at new character developments I stopped reading.
May 25, 2013
Slow and boring. I tried so hard to read it, even though every time I tried I started to doze off on the train because it is not interesting at all. It's very pretty and poetic in creating the scene, but I really don't care. After 15 boring chapters of nothingness, I finally quit. I've tried twice now, but it's just not happening. I'm sure it's a good book for some people, but it's not my cup of tea. Reading should be enjoyable and this book felt like a chore to just get it over with. I have to force myself to do enough reading with Uni, and I want to spend my pleasure time reading books I enjoy, which this is not.
Pretentious. There, I said it.
Pretentious. There, I said it.
September 15, 2019
“Effigy” has been on my bookshelf for a dozen years together with my personal selection of favourite authors. I picked it up for a second reading of honour roll novels and thoroughly enjoyed it again.
“Effigy” tells the story of a polygamous Mormon family in 19th century Utah and was inspired by the disturbing Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857. It weaves the perspectives of a large and varied cast of characters each of whom is equally compelling.
All the characters are, in one way or another, refugees of life who have come together on the ranch of horse breeder Erastus Hammer. Each character has both an all-consuming passion and a painful secret that defines them and whose fate is linked, directly or indirectly, to the 1857 massacre. How each one manifests that passion dictates their fate. Those who use it to wield power over others pay the ultimate price. Those who pursue it selflessly are rewarded by circumstances.
“Effigy” is an elegantly crafted work of historical fiction that is at times heartfelt, haunting and disturbing. You will rarely find a novel that manages such a large cast of characters so artfully.
“Effigy” tells the story of a polygamous Mormon family in 19th century Utah and was inspired by the disturbing Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857. It weaves the perspectives of a large and varied cast of characters each of whom is equally compelling.
All the characters are, in one way or another, refugees of life who have come together on the ranch of horse breeder Erastus Hammer. Each character has both an all-consuming passion and a painful secret that defines them and whose fate is linked, directly or indirectly, to the 1857 massacre. How each one manifests that passion dictates their fate. Those who use it to wield power over others pay the ultimate price. Those who pursue it selflessly are rewarded by circumstances.
“Effigy” is an elegantly crafted work of historical fiction that is at times heartfelt, haunting and disturbing. You will rarely find a novel that manages such a large cast of characters so artfully.
September 12, 2018
I found this book for two dollars at a second hand sale at my public library. I was excited that it was by a Canadian author, and that the story was based on Mormon Utah Pioneers. This book was not at all what I was hoping for, and it took me a long time to get through it. My daughter says “life is too short to read a book you’re not enjoying”, but once I start a book I try to finish it.
I am not naïve when it comes to my own LDS history. I have heard of the Mountain Meadows Massacre before.I know that there were complicated relationships with the polygamy years. I know that among the good people there are rotten ones.
This book had a lot of characters and their stories. There was scandal and secrets. It highlighted the jealousy in this family. It wasn’t correct in all LDS details. While I liked the ending, and how things were resolved, I can’t say I enjoyed the book.
I am not naïve when it comes to my own LDS history. I have heard of the Mountain Meadows Massacre before.I know that there were complicated relationships with the polygamy years. I know that among the good people there are rotten ones.
This book had a lot of characters and their stories. There was scandal and secrets. It highlighted the jealousy in this family. It wasn’t correct in all LDS details. While I liked the ending, and how things were resolved, I can’t say I enjoyed the book.
August 21, 2017
Gorgeous writing... imagery jumps out of and meanders within the pages. Unpredictable wolf-like gaits, at times charging with heated pace, at other times ambling as lush characters come into being. A rich and smooth story, emerging from broadly accessible themes with lifelike nuances and details. Fascinating portrayal of polygamist liaisons, the intriguing artwork of taxidermy, and human resilience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2017
York's prose is beautiful. She weaves the unexpected in her sentences like each is a well-crafted poem. There is a beauty and dream-like quality to her prose. However, I can't find the story line. I got past halfway and still have no idea where this story is going or why I should care. Her characters are well-crafted, but I feel no intimacy with them, no concern for where the story is going.
April 22, 2018
Beautiful evocative prose. The story about a mormon family with 4 interesting women, a trapper, a contortionist horseman is fascinating. I didn't imagine that I would like this but it grabbed me from the opening pages. I found the storytelling compassionate and compelling.
November 13, 2020
Roman d'une canadienne originaire de l'Alberta, très bien traduit, bien écrit, personnages improbables mais probablement vrais qui m'ont happée par leur forte présence due à la puissance de l'écriture et des événements racontés. Nous sommes en 1867 aux États Unis, un peu partout dans l'ouest mais surtout avec le voyage des Mormons vers l'Utah et dans la ville de Sion créée par ces derniers en Utah. Un mari et ses 4 femmes et leurs histoires.
May 14, 2017
So boring. I kept reading because I thought that it would go somewhere, but it didn't.
May 4, 2018
So dark. SO good!
May 24, 2020
Relecture d'un grand roman.
January 11, 2026
I’d give this an extra half a star if that were an option. Really well written. Not an obvious point A to point B plot, but still really good, similarly to The Dutch House.
May 27, 2011
While cruising the stacks at the local library, I ran across 'Effigy' by Alissa York. I was immediately drawn to the cover and pleased to see it was a Giller Prize finalist. Historical fiction - inspired by the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857; and polygamy - very interesting subject; throw in a little weirdness with the fourth wife who spends all of her time in the barn practicing the art of taxidermy and it all should add up to a compelling read. (For those of you who commented on my Tuesday Teaser, it was a scene where Dorrie is preparing a wolf family for stuffing)
Sadly, I felt a little let down after reading this novel. Maybe I had built it up too much in my mind but I found it lacking. I didn't ever get close enough to the characters to care much about their experiences. Their personalities were all just too bizarre, which made it hard to think of the characters as real. There was also a lot of jumping around in the story and that tends to lose me as a reader unless there are definite separations - like different font or chapter titles that explain who is speaking. I always felt like I was finally drawn into one plot line when I was, unexpectedly tossed into another.
All in all Ms York's 'Effigy' is a dark portrayal of a strange time - maybe just a little too dark and strange.
Sadly, I felt a little let down after reading this novel. Maybe I had built it up too much in my mind but I found it lacking. I didn't ever get close enough to the characters to care much about their experiences. Their personalities were all just too bizarre, which made it hard to think of the characters as real. There was also a lot of jumping around in the story and that tends to lose me as a reader unless there are definite separations - like different font or chapter titles that explain who is speaking. I always felt like I was finally drawn into one plot line when I was, unexpectedly tossed into another.
All in all Ms York's 'Effigy' is a dark portrayal of a strange time - maybe just a little too dark and strange.
January 24, 2016
After closing the book, what stays with me is the mood, dark and strange, as well as the impression that the author must have done a lot of research to write this book. York writes beautifully and I was drawn in every time I sat down to read. She builds up a sense of dread and mystery, keeping the reader searching for clues. I was also impressed by her knowledge of: Mormon history, the San Francisco gold rush, the fundamentals of taxidermy, the care and feeding of silk caterpillars, the frontier lifestyle, and much else.
But I only gave this novel 3 stars because I wasn't convinced by the characters--they were all very weird but they didn't come alive for me. And the story itself was told in a way that made it very difficult for me to follow what was actually happening. Dorrie's dreams for example. By the end of the book, I was able to make sense of the dreams but my confusion was frustrating. I wanted to go back and read the dreams again once I understood their significance but I failed to do so because the story itself wasn't compelling enough.
I would recommend this novel to readers who love Anne Michaels and/or Michael Helm, even Kim Thúy. There's a style similarity I'd describe as gorgeous, poetic writing but vague in the plot line. I very much enjoy movies in this style but in a novel, I need more.
But I only gave this novel 3 stars because I wasn't convinced by the characters--they were all very weird but they didn't come alive for me. And the story itself was told in a way that made it very difficult for me to follow what was actually happening. Dorrie's dreams for example. By the end of the book, I was able to make sense of the dreams but my confusion was frustrating. I wanted to go back and read the dreams again once I understood their significance but I failed to do so because the story itself wasn't compelling enough.
I would recommend this novel to readers who love Anne Michaels and/or Michael Helm, even Kim Thúy. There's a style similarity I'd describe as gorgeous, poetic writing but vague in the plot line. I very much enjoy movies in this style but in a novel, I need more.
August 15, 2013
Strange and compelling, "Effigy" is a complicated, multi-POV tale of secrets, longings and compulsions. Set in a western US Mormon community in the 1800s, I especially enjoyed this glimpse into a polygamous family life within a well-drawn historical context. I expect Alissa York did a massive amount of research and it shows.
Complex characters with strange motivations are, for the most part, well-drawn (I mixed up a couple of the sister wives at one point but given the book's themes of women and power, this may have been deliberate. Soon enough, they were differentiated.) We are also given enough "handholds" on those characters in the periphery. A wise and observing crow even gets a voice now and again. And a ill mother reveals terrible secrets through occasional letters.
Did I say complicated? Taxidermy, first nation culture, roles of women, Mormon religious practices, theatre, hunting, religious persecution and massacres, silk worm farming and circus life all are featured in the narrative. Considering the time and place of the story, somehow York makes it work.
This is not an 'easy read' but the investment was worth it. The ending was most satisfying -- strange, surreal and not entirely clear -- but satisfying nonetheless.
Complex characters with strange motivations are, for the most part, well-drawn (I mixed up a couple of the sister wives at one point but given the book's themes of women and power, this may have been deliberate. Soon enough, they were differentiated.) We are also given enough "handholds" on those characters in the periphery. A wise and observing crow even gets a voice now and again. And a ill mother reveals terrible secrets through occasional letters.
Did I say complicated? Taxidermy, first nation culture, roles of women, Mormon religious practices, theatre, hunting, religious persecution and massacres, silk worm farming and circus life all are featured in the narrative. Considering the time and place of the story, somehow York makes it work.
This is not an 'easy read' but the investment was worth it. The ending was most satisfying -- strange, surreal and not entirely clear -- but satisfying nonetheless.
July 29, 2013
This is an historic novel set in Utah in 1870ish when Mormons were pretty much settled. It provides some of the earlier history of the Mormons and also some about the California gold rush. The story features 7 main characters, all interesting and all facing different challenges. The Mormon husband a keen hunter has failing eyesight, and must try to maintain peace with and among his 4 wives. His 19 year old son frustrated that the powerful Mormon males were marrying all the young women. (polygamy). The 4 disparate wives. (more on polygamy) An Indian companion of the husband with a very different world view, and a young non-Mormon farmhand. The history is interesting, the characters are interesting, and the plot gets pretty much resolved by the end. The writing is capable and easy to read. All in all, a good effort.
Read
June 12, 2011I wasn't sure if I was going to finish this book the first time I started reading it but I'm glad I did. York writes in a very indirectly, she has this way of combining images in unique and strange ways that I really like. Her prose are like little puzzles I had to pause over and work out - what does a rat look like when it "squirts" out of a bush? That phrase stuck with me because it there was such an initial disconnect for me between what she is describing and how she is describing it, a wet word like squirt with a dry word like bush. So neat! Reading the book reminded me a bit of doing a crossword.
July 5, 2012
This book was not great. While it was easy enough to read, the characters were all overdone. Another reviewer has commented that each one was an expert in something, which is unbelievable in a large cast of characters like this and I agree. There was also some really weird social and sexual behaviour. The biggest negative for me was that there wasn't one person who believed their faith, or had a strong conviction about being a part of a 'church' that was considered completely unacceptable by the standards of the day. I don't buy that all these people would attach themselves as adults to a group that is being picked off by the rest of society without feeling convicted about it.
June 24, 2016
"Didn't enjoy it"
I had high hope for this book as a finalist for the Giller Prize, ended up feeling very disappointed and discontinued reading after much struggle. The storytelling was quite confusing from the beginning, I was lost as to the names and characteristics of the various characters from the start. There might be some treasure in this book, but sadly my struggle was terminated before my reaching any of it. Sorry to say this might be an example of award-winning status not matching public expectation - nevertheless, give it benefit of the doubt and try it, because it could be just me.
I had high hope for this book as a finalist for the Giller Prize, ended up feeling very disappointed and discontinued reading after much struggle. The storytelling was quite confusing from the beginning, I was lost as to the names and characteristics of the various characters from the start. There might be some treasure in this book, but sadly my struggle was terminated before my reaching any of it. Sorry to say this might be an example of award-winning status not matching public expectation - nevertheless, give it benefit of the doubt and try it, because it could be just me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews