coffeenurse's review
4.0
A really fascinating work of experimental fiction that meditats on a life of travel and grappling with death. I know first and foremost, the pilgrims appear to be of a Christian faith, but they seem to grapple with aspects of all religions. Buddhist reincarnation and ideas around the cyclical nature of life is explored, as well as polytheism in the amorphous nature of 'Satan', 'angels' and the women.
I found that the random switch to modernity in the middle was jarring. I can see what Holland was doing, drawing attention to the fluidity of time and calling Bredan's reality into question. Placing further emphasis on the theme of travel and the uncertain momentum the plot takes. The 'fourth wall' beakage was also probably intentional, bringing some self-consciousness to the reader. However, I felt the otherworldliness of the novel faltered after this, intentionally or not.
The ethereal writing really placed me in the mindeset of Brendan and cetred his perspective in an otherwise de-centred world. Reacting to the unknown forces of the spiritual realm with both uncertainty and courage, and surety in his faith. I can see the basis of this novel on the pilgrammages of monks gone to discover the world and really enjoyed this journal. ( Navigatio Sancti Brendan , c. 900.)
Because of this basis, it is quite dichotomous in the way it portrays gender. Men are the conquerors and are guided by the divine. Women exist to tempt them or to be immortalised in a romanticised memory. The book really took me away, though, so it kind of made it acceptable. This is a really great travel novel for escapism!
I found that the random switch to modernity in the middle was jarring. I can see what Holland was doing, drawing attention to the fluidity of time and calling Bredan's reality into question. Placing further emphasis on the theme of travel and the uncertain momentum the plot takes. The 'fourth wall' beakage was also probably intentional, bringing some self-consciousness to the reader. However, I felt the otherworldliness of the novel faltered after this, intentionally or not.
The ethereal writing really placed me in the mindeset of Brendan and cetred his perspective in an otherwise de-centred world. Reacting to the unknown forces of the spiritual realm with both uncertainty and courage, and surety in his faith. I can see the basis of this novel on the pilgrammages of monks gone to discover the world and really enjoyed this journal. ( Navigatio Sancti Brendan , c. 900.)
Because of this basis, it is quite dichotomous in the way it portrays gender. Men are the conquerors and are guided by the divine. Women exist to tempt them or to be immortalised in a romanticised memory. The book really took me away, though, so it kind of made it acceptable. This is a really great travel novel for escapism!
octavia_cade's review
4.0
Well-written literary fantasy, on the voyage of Saint Brendan. It's main appeal to me was the interesting structure, and the truly beautiful illustrations by Junko Azukawa.
mishaone's review
4.0
Reading this book feels like trying to make sense of a recurring dream as every detail but the theme slips away from you.
Our protagonist sets out with his crew to find a distant land, but does not know where it is, how to get there, or what it is like at all.
Their journey is presented in the form of tattered, fragmented impressions of places, people, and conversations. Several encounters (or encounters close enough to them) occur multiple times, and on one occasion Brendan himself is aware of a sense of having done it all before. His story fades in and out like the delirious workings of a fevered brain about to die, which is possibly the point.
In any other book, the lack of any identifiable character development, the constantly changing details and scenes, and even chapters with only titles to convey meaning to the larger narrative would fail miserably.
I really enjoyed this book, probably because of the unconventional narrative, which surprised me.
Our protagonist sets out with his crew to find a distant land, but does not know where it is, how to get there, or what it is like at all.
Their journey is presented in the form of tattered, fragmented impressions of places, people, and conversations. Several encounters (or encounters close enough to them) occur multiple times, and on one occasion Brendan himself is aware of a sense of having done it all before. His story fades in and out like the delirious workings of a fevered brain about to die, which is possibly the point.
In any other book, the lack of any identifiable character development, the constantly changing details and scenes, and even chapters with only titles to convey meaning to the larger narrative would fail miserably.
I really enjoyed this book, probably because of the unconventional narrative, which surprised me.
alanamaree12's review
2.0
The grammar made it quite hard to read and I still have absolutely no idea what happened. I do like the use of different mediums though.
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