Book Challenge 2016 discussion
Marilyn's 2016 Book Challenge
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Colin
(last edited Jan 20, 2016 09:44AM)
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Jan 20, 2016 09:44AM
Hello, everyone! I'm finally getting active on Goodreads and getting back into the swing of reading--thrown off massively by a new job. My Goal is 20 for the year, but I hope to get more, and I'll keep track of them here with review posts for each book.
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Book 1: I, Lucifer by Glen DuncanFinished: January 19th
I finished the first of my 20 books for the year just last night, and it was a trip. (I could call it a Hell of a ride, but I won't.)
Lucifer takes a deal from God: spend a month in a human body and, if you stay, you'll get another shot at coming home. Lucifer takes this opportunity to indulge in all of humanity that he can, and tell us his side of story of his fall, the rise of humanity, and much more.
It's easy to underestimate this book based on first glace; at least I did, though that's more a personal exasperation with "glib and witty" narrators. However, I think it's just been far too long since I've seen it done right, coupled with the fact that the voice of the Devil is so much more than that.
The voice of this novel is incredible. Our narrator is Lucifer, but this isn't a Lucifer we've seen before. I could compare him to Lestat, but without the overdose of ennui. He's smart and bitter, proud, vulgar, and more than a little sad, whether he admits it or not. The book is studded with small, subtle moments where that sadness shines through.
Many novels try to make the devil human. This novel is, so far, the only one that's succeeded, and its done so by exploring the depths of all the ugly things about humanity even as it marvels at the good.
I especially recommend it to general and religious historians, as a good chunk of the novel consists of direct references to important biblical and historical events. Admittedly, I had to stop more than once to do a little research, since I haven't read the Bible in detail, but that only made me appreciate the book more. Duncan and his Devil don't hold your hand at all. Lucifer talks and, while he wants you to listen, he doesn't expect that you will.
I'll have to give this one a reread soon. For all the bluntness in Lucifer's speech, there's a lot of subtlety to be examined.
