Gormenghast

Last updated on: November 8, 2012 at 5:17 pm by Jeff Miller

Gormenghast 2012-11-08T17:17:46-06:00 Jeff Miller

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Over the last couple of years I had seen references to the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake — most recently by Stephen King. So I finally dipped in to read the series Titus Groan (1946), Gormenghast (1950), and Titus Alone (1959).

This series is hard to categorize. Most often it is labeled as epic fantasy, but I don’t quite see that. Regardless the writing is simply stunning with prose that is often lyrical and a descriptive language that repeatedly wows you. Throughout the series the prose kept hitting me over and over in how wonderfully descriptive it and was along with how inventive it was.

Now if only there was a plot to sink your teeth in to go with it. These novels proceeded at a glaciers past. For example the first novel addresses the first year in the life of Titus Groan the 77th Earl of Gormenghast. So obviously there was not much action regarding the main protagonist. The reclusive earldom of Gormenghast is a place of rituals where things go on as they always went on. The novels are filled with quirky self-indulgent characters who live in worlds of their own with minimum interactivity with others. Titus is left to be taken care of by the nanny and his mother the Queen has time only for her flock of cats The King similarly is immersed in the world of his library. The main conflicts of the novel involve a scheming intelligent young man who works to incorporate himself in the life of Gormenchast and later Titus struggles with his role as Earl and wanting to escape the life of Gormengast. There are many side stories involving the inhabitants of the castle, but the whole past of the novels is maddening slow with detours involving minor characters.

So saying this why exactly did I read through the trilogy? Simply because the writing was so worthwhile and the plotting while slow and full of quirks at least kept your attention. I am certainly glad to have read it, but can’t see re-reading it. While this is classed as a fantasy novel it is more like an alternative history and one that does not include magic or characters other than humans. The author died before completing what was to be a larger series and the third book was published after this death.

Review

Previous Post

November 8, 2012

An Everlasting Feast by Tamar Adler

Next Post

November 11, 2012 The Golden Spiders

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art Bible Study Bulletin Board Catholic Church Excerpt Faith-y Stuff Funny Stuff Good Deals Listening Now Patheos Book Club Personal Reading Challenge Podcast Alert Random Bookishness Resources Review Uncategorized Well Said What I'm Reading

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz