Introduction

2012-01-06T04:11:00.000-08:00

For a while I have been thinking it would be a good idea to keep track of the books I read. I tend to read quite a bit, with the topics generally being in the sci-fi, fantasy, thrillers and Victorian classics (Dickens, Elliot, Hardy, etc.).So this is a means of keeping track of what I've read, when and my thoughts about it. Should I discover more of the author or has it turned me off that author for good? We'll see how this develops as it is something of an experiment and may well change in intent and execution as time passes.

Titus Groan - Mervyn Peake

2012-01-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

Started reading: Jan 2012

This is the second time I've read this first book in the Gormenghast Trilogy. The first time was many years ago (in the eighties I think).The book opens describing the vast and overwhelming landscape and architecture of Gormenghast, a castle / citadel / kingdom. where the majority of the trilogy is located.I love the way Peake uses language to evoke the atmosphere of the book, one where everything seems engrained by the passing centuries of devotion to the rituals that drive the daily activities. His characters are in one sense, cartoonish in their extremes of attributes, while at the same time being real and believeable enough to generate the empathy to want to follow them through this saga.I am thoroughly enjoying this novel and I shall update this post as other observations occur to me, and my final thoughts on completing the book.

Literary Corner

Introduction

Titus Groan - Mervyn Peake