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Picked up "The Somnambulist," by Jonathan Barnes, today on a whim.
I'm about five chapters in and enjoying it a little more than I expected. It's very clearly dimestore drivel, but intentionally so, and the jabs at Holmesian-type detectives alone are pleasing me enough that, should the book have no other merits, I might consider keeping it around.
To it's credit, by its premise, alone, I'm inclined to like it. I do love magicians as main characters -- they're so much fun. It's an overused trope, but an entertaining one, and I wouldn't mind a novel series going in that direction, rather than wizards.
I have been warned, however, that the ending will engender a "WTF?!" reaction in almost every reader, either good or bad. I'm keen to finish it, if only to see what everyone is so wound up about. Most of the reviews made it seem like it's a 'love it or hate it' scenario -- I can't resist that sort of an offering.
At some point, I do need to read through "The Prestige," as well, though probably over a summer where I can deal with multiple mindfucks and not have to worry about school the next morning. Delicious, delicious mindfucks.
I'm about five chapters in and enjoying it a little more than I expected. It's very clearly dimestore drivel, but intentionally so, and the jabs at Holmesian-type detectives alone are pleasing me enough that, should the book have no other merits, I might consider keeping it around.
To it's credit, by its premise, alone, I'm inclined to like it. I do love magicians as main characters -- they're so much fun. It's an overused trope, but an entertaining one, and I wouldn't mind a novel series going in that direction, rather than wizards.
I have been warned, however, that the ending will engender a "WTF?!" reaction in almost every reader, either good or bad. I'm keen to finish it, if only to see what everyone is so wound up about. Most of the reviews made it seem like it's a 'love it or hate it' scenario -- I can't resist that sort of an offering.
At some point, I do need to read through "The Prestige," as well, though probably over a summer where I can deal with multiple mindfucks and not have to worry about school the next morning. Delicious, delicious mindfucks.
