Sparrow Nights
by David Gilmour | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0679311122 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0679311122 Global Overview for this book
2 journalers for this copy...
Purchased from the Children's Hospital Book Market for release in gypsysmom's Canada Day challenge. But I haven't read this yet so I'll have to try and do that before I release it.
I don't know what to make of this book. I don't know why I finished reading it. Darius Halloway, the main character, is a 50-something professor of French literature. Well poopty-poo. He doesn't let you forget it either. When he speaks to you (and that's what he's doing in this novel through the whole 240 pages) he drops French phrases throughout his otherwise English dialogue, no doubt to impress the reader or listener (perhaps the listener is himself?) with his "intelligence superieure". He is probably the most pretentious self absorbed character I've ever endured reading. Plus he's down right mean, evil even. Early on, he poisons his neighbour's dogs. So, you can't help but wait to see what else he's capable of.
Given that writers often write "what they know", I tend to think of their characters as them. So, at first I had a very negative impression of this author and was glad I didn't have him within my circle of acquaintance (or, shudder, have an intimate relationship with him). Eventually I was able to separate the author from the pretentious, odious Professor but did wonder why Gilmour chose to make such a nasty guy his main character. What would this character have to say to me?
The Professor had an obsessive love affair with a passionate woman about half his age. The woman herself was, if not kinky, a little more forward than most, which no doubt was part of her allure. Actually, I think that the affair would be more accurately termed a sexual affair rather than a love affair. But in any event she left him, left him and his coat hangers jangling and he can't stop thinking about her, can't sleep, can't get over her, drinks a lot and becomes angry and vengeful. He gets caught up in some nasty business with a "masseuse" and her "boss" and carries out his revenge. Throughout it all, he engages in those conversations we have with ourselves - those things that go on in our heads, most of which is never uttered aloud. But in this case the reader "hears" what he says to himself as he imagines what people think of him, what they would say about him and he to them and as he justifies his psychotic behaviour.
What happens ( and what doesn't happen) was startling to me, shocking even, and the reading uncomfortable. Perhaps, this is because as awful as this guy is, I am more like him than I would care to be, or have people aware that I am. Perhaps we all are. I suspect that anyone who has been unexpectedly dumped or betrayed in a love affair has had similar thoughts.
A fast, compelling and discomforting read. I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone, especially to someone in the midst of mourning a lost relationship. Or maybe I would - Perhaps the message heard would be, "Get over it or you'll end up like this guy."
This is my 11th book by a male Canadian author for the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh? My 23rd overall.
Given that writers often write "what they know", I tend to think of their characters as them. So, at first I had a very negative impression of this author and was glad I didn't have him within my circle of acquaintance (or, shudder, have an intimate relationship with him). Eventually I was able to separate the author from the pretentious, odious Professor but did wonder why Gilmour chose to make such a nasty guy his main character. What would this character have to say to me?
The Professor had an obsessive love affair with a passionate woman about half his age. The woman herself was, if not kinky, a little more forward than most, which no doubt was part of her allure. Actually, I think that the affair would be more accurately termed a sexual affair rather than a love affair. But in any event she left him, left him and his coat hangers jangling and he can't stop thinking about her, can't sleep, can't get over her, drinks a lot and becomes angry and vengeful. He gets caught up in some nasty business with a "masseuse" and her "boss" and carries out his revenge. Throughout it all, he engages in those conversations we have with ourselves - those things that go on in our heads, most of which is never uttered aloud. But in this case the reader "hears" what he says to himself as he imagines what people think of him, what they would say about him and he to them and as he justifies his psychotic behaviour.
What happens ( and what doesn't happen) was startling to me, shocking even, and the reading uncomfortable. Perhaps, this is because as awful as this guy is, I am more like him than I would care to be, or have people aware that I am. Perhaps we all are. I suspect that anyone who has been unexpectedly dumped or betrayed in a love affair has had similar thoughts.
A fast, compelling and discomforting read. I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone, especially to someone in the midst of mourning a lost relationship. Or maybe I would - Perhaps the message heard would be, "Get over it or you'll end up like this guy."
This is my 11th book by a male Canadian author for the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh? My 23rd overall.
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
in the parking lot opposite the Convention Centre, nestled in the crook of a tree.
This book was released for week #5 of the Never Judge a Book by its Cover release challenge. This week's theme is birds!
I hope the finder enjoys reading this book by a Canadian author.
in the parking lot opposite the Convention Centre, nestled in the crook of a tree.
This book was released for week #5 of the Never Judge a Book by its Cover release challenge. This week's theme is birds!
I hope the finder enjoys reading this book by a Canadian author.
Just found it this AM in a melted snowbank in Winterpeg :-)
CAUGHT IN WINNIPEG MANITOBA CANADA
CAUGHT IN WINNIPEG MANITOBA CANADA
