Someone once said of the film "Wings of Desire" that she "loved every minute and couldn't wait for it to end", and I often felt the same of this dense, gothic fantasy. The world created in it is overwhelming, but more plot and pace would have been welcome. As with "Titus Groan", the first book in the series, a world of grotesques (occasionally illustrated by Peake's own brilliant drawings) plays the possible endgame of the impossible kingdom of Gormenghast. What will become of the traitor Steerpike, and will Titus,the 77th (!) Earl of this land, defend and serve it?
If the first book was a metaphor for the rise of Fascist states in the 20th century, this second one also manages to predict the spirit of the youth movements of the 60's. But see for yourself.
It won't put me off an attempt at the third book, "Titus Alone" - don't forget that Peake planned a total of five!

RELEASE NOTES: