BELLMAN & BLACK
by Diane Setterfield | Publication: November 5, 2013Atria/Emily Bestler Books | Genre: Literature/Adult Fiction
Rating: ★★★★
"Stepping into Diane Setterfield’s world means immersing yourself in stunning Victorian elegance, eerie avian mythology, and a story that refuses to let you go."
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As a boy, William Bellman commits one small, cruel act: killing a bird with his slingshot. Little does he know the unforeseen and terrible consequences of the deed, which is soon forgotten amidst the riot of boyhood games. By the time he is grown, with a wife and children of his own, William seems to be a man blessed by fortune—until tragedy strikes and the stranger in black comes. Then he starts to wonder if all his happiness is about to be eclipsed. Desperate to save the one precious thing he has left, William enters into a rather strange bargain, with an even stranger partner, to found a decidedly macabre business.
And Bellman & Black is born.
And Bellman & Black is born.
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Lyrical Fluidity and Rook Lore
This is my first time reading Diane Setterfield. I have had her debut, The Thirteenth Tale, on my shelf for years, but the spine remains completely unbent. Many of my friends cannot believe I haven't read their favorite book yet. Because of this, when I received my advanced reader galley for BELLMAN & BLACK, I came in with absolutely no expectations. I was excited, though, because the promotional blurbs were highly enticing.
In a nutshell, this is a wonderful story that is well worth reading. I was delighted by the beautiful, Victorian-style language and phrasing. Setterfield writes with a lyrical fluidity that commanded my undivided attention. Her eloquence amazed me, and within the first few pages, I knew I was hooked. It was incredibly difficult to put down.
The book chronicles the life of William Bellman from youth to adulthood. That summary sounds a bit brief, but his journey is deeply layered. He is a man blessed with charm, a sharp mind, and a healthy perspective on life. Throughout the book, we watch William struggle and grow. It cannot be disputed that he labors intensely for his success and riches. However, life choices always exact a toll—and it is rarely paid in currency.
I must add that I thoroughly enjoyed the "Rook Lore" woven into the narrative. I had never looked into rook mythology closely until now. The interspersed mentions of these birds feel like a heavy blackness hovering above, constantly waiting to swoop down. This eerie presence gives the story's mysterious atmosphere a wonderful depth.
However, the book's core premise might be difficult for some to defend. The subtitle implies a ghost story, and readers will naturally look for one. Some will find it; others will not. Some might feel the story is too short, lacking in action or momentum. Yet, this is a lifelong tale meant to offer memories and thoughts to ponder. It leads the reader down a long, winding road, forcing us to contemplate our own existence. But then again, nothing is ever truly easy, right?
“Without the past to cast its long shadow,
might you see the future more clearly?”
Ultimately, BELLMAN & BLACK hands us a profound issue to tackle. We are only given one chance to walk this earth. It doesn't matter how we choose to live our own story; in the end, others will be the ones to tell it. It all boils down to one question: how do we price our own life? If you think hard about it, that existential dread is a lot scarier than any traditional ghost story. It is a question that will haunt you for a lifetime.
This is my first time reading Diane Setterfield. I have had her debut, The Thirteenth Tale, on my shelf for years, but the spine remains completely unbent. Many of my friends cannot believe I haven't read their favorite book yet. Because of this, when I received my advanced reader galley for BELLMAN & BLACK, I came in with absolutely no expectations. I was excited, though, because the promotional blurbs were highly enticing.
In a nutshell, this is a wonderful story that is well worth reading. I was delighted by the beautiful, Victorian-style language and phrasing. Setterfield writes with a lyrical fluidity that commanded my undivided attention. Her eloquence amazed me, and within the first few pages, I knew I was hooked. It was incredibly difficult to put down.
The book chronicles the life of William Bellman from youth to adulthood. That summary sounds a bit brief, but his journey is deeply layered. He is a man blessed with charm, a sharp mind, and a healthy perspective on life. Throughout the book, we watch William struggle and grow. It cannot be disputed that he labors intensely for his success and riches. However, life choices always exact a toll—and it is rarely paid in currency.
I must add that I thoroughly enjoyed the "Rook Lore" woven into the narrative. I had never looked into rook mythology closely until now. The interspersed mentions of these birds feel like a heavy blackness hovering above, constantly waiting to swoop down. This eerie presence gives the story's mysterious atmosphere a wonderful depth.
However, the book's core premise might be difficult for some to defend. The subtitle implies a ghost story, and readers will naturally look for one. Some will find it; others will not. Some might feel the story is too short, lacking in action or momentum. Yet, this is a lifelong tale meant to offer memories and thoughts to ponder. It leads the reader down a long, winding road, forcing us to contemplate our own existence. But then again, nothing is ever truly easy, right?
might you see the future more clearly?”
Ultimately, BELLMAN & BLACK hands us a profound issue to tackle. We are only given one chance to walk this earth. It doesn't matter how we choose to live our own story; in the end, others will be the ones to tell it. It all boils down to one question: how do we price our own life? If you think hard about it, that existential dread is a lot scarier than any traditional ghost story. It is a question that will haunt you for a lifetime.
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About the Author:
DIANE SETTERFIELD is the author of The Thirteenth Tale, which was published in thirty-eight countries worldwide and has sold more than three million copies, and Bellman & Black. Before leaving academia to pursue writing, she taught English at the Institut universitaire de technologie and the Ecole nationale supérieure de Chimie, both in Mulhouse, France, and later lectured in French at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK. Her latest book is Once Upon a River. She lives in Oxford, UK.
Photo from Penguin Random House.
*Thanks to Atria/ Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for giving me a copy
in exchange for this unbiased review.
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in exchange for this unbiased review.
This review is also available on Goodreads, Shelfari, and Tumblr.
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Posts
Oh my goodness! A new Setterfield! I really liked The Thirteenth Tale, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this.
ReplyDeleteYou really should read The Thirteenth Tale! It's one of my favorite modern gothic novels!
Thank you, Peter.
DeleteI'll line up Thirteenth Tale for next month, promise. :)
What if we buddy read The Thirteenth Tale on November? Let's convince Maria too, I think she has this on her to-read. *wink wink* :)
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of The Thirteenth Tale as well, but I haven't opened it yet. Haha! Dunno when I would feel the inspiration to read it though.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea, Lynai. How about it, Monique?
ReplyDeletePeter, I believe I have to defer my promise until November. :)