Jon Taylor’s Reviews > The Ceremonies > Status Update

The end is nigh…

Things move to a conclusion. Doesn’t make too much sense - why does Deborah die? What kills her? Why does she have to be naked? Why bother with possessing Deborah at all? All a bit shonky and seedy. Still, it’s pacy enough as it moves to the climax.

Ending much better. There is a psychedelic feel to the narrative now - things are unhinged. Deborah’s sexuality makes more sense now too. Dunno how no-one has connected the change in Deborah with the cat attack though…

The earth as an egg. Enjoyed the increasing size of the spider threat to Friers and the inhuman hatchling in the coop. Much pacier now.

The Cleansing ceremony. Reminiscent of the sewing ritual in Jim Crace’s Harvest - a much better book. Something’s wrong with Deborah…

Deborah is attacked. Don’t get all the sexual stuff with Deborah at the beginning of the novel - seems nothing but titillation at this point. The first person stuff is poor - don’t know why Klein does it, it’s laboured. The narrative voice makes Carol even more stupid. But looking forward to the huge beast arriving soon…

Unrest amongst the Brethren. Earth tremors. Badwa thwarted. God knows how ‘Rosie’ is going to explain why he’s lying naked on a bed in a filthy apartment…

Better pacing here. Like the swarm of snakes, like a Biblical plague, and the trance of the Old One. Also good rising tension around Friers’ presence with the Brethren. Definitely bubbling up to something.

There are some unpleasant thoughts expressed (particularly by Carol) regarding race. Is this meant to reflect her innocence? Hard to like her, as she is written as weak, pathetic and malleable. The dances are ridiculous. And now there’s a killer cat. Will finish, but this is bollocks.