kingfan30's review
3.0
I enjoyed this one more than The Sea, although it is still a bit rambling in places and if I lost concentration for a page I would suddenly engage my mind again and would have to reread the page as the story would have skipped and I would not have a clue who/what I was reading about.
bgg616's review against another edition
5.0
Exquisite writing as always from Banville. The story of a murderer who only murdered because he could. This is a character study of a "n'er do well" who bungles through life depending on the grace and help of others, until he has nothing left.
habeasopus's review against another edition
3.0
No suspense or mystery, yet somehow compelling. The scary part is how many of Freddie’s arguments seem so easy to go along with. He seems a great big man who never grew up. When asked why he did something naughty, his only response is to aver his ignorance.
mxn's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dlew's review against another edition
2.0
the book kept me interested but I didn't feel like there was any real plot
theme - a book tied to your ancestry (Irish)
theme - a book tied to your ancestry (Irish)
plnodwyer's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
acton's review against another edition
5.0
John Banville's Book of Evidence is a disturbing short novel about Freddie Montgomery, a man who has committed murder. This is his account of his life and what led him to kill.
Needless to say, it is disturbing. Freddie rambles, filling his audience in on his life in bits and pieces, going back and forth in time without taking a break. There are no chapter divisions, so this novel would be best read in as close to one sitting as possible, just to appreciate the nature of Freddie's associations and thoughts.
Sometimes, Freddie reminded me a bit of Humbert Humbert, with his bizarre, sad existence--he can't seem to control himself, and I almost felt sorry for him. Also, at times, it's clear that Freddie feels that he's a perpetual outsider, always different, never really included or a part of anything. He is The Stranger.
Because Freddie's viewpoint is the only one on offer, the reader is left to wonder about some of his relationships, particularly with his wife and mother. The little I gathered about these two women made it abundantly clear how unreliable a narration Freddie was providing.
This is a fascinating read.
When Freddie is in prison:
"By the way, what an odd formulation that is: to get life. Words so rarely mean what they mean."
The questions I am left with ***spoiler*** are--
Why did Daphne and Freddie ever get married? Was Freddie always insane?
Is Daphne as amoral as Freddie?
The way Daphne and Freddie were living, when Freddie gets himself in trouble, is puzzling.
Freddie's financial position: had his parents been reasonably well off?
What line of work was Charlie in, and who were his friends? It's all so mysterious.
Needless to say, it is disturbing. Freddie rambles, filling his audience in on his life in bits and pieces, going back and forth in time without taking a break. There are no chapter divisions, so this novel would be best read in as close to one sitting as possible, just to appreciate the nature of Freddie's associations and thoughts.
Sometimes, Freddie reminded me a bit of Humbert Humbert, with his bizarre, sad existence--he can't seem to control himself, and I almost felt sorry for him. Also, at times, it's clear that Freddie feels that he's a perpetual outsider, always different, never really included or a part of anything. He is The Stranger.
Because Freddie's viewpoint is the only one on offer, the reader is left to wonder about some of his relationships, particularly with his wife and mother. The little I gathered about these two women made it abundantly clear how unreliable a narration Freddie was providing.
This is a fascinating read.
When Freddie is in prison:
"By the way, what an odd formulation that is: to get life. Words so rarely mean what they mean."
The questions I am left with ***spoiler*** are--
Why did Daphne and Freddie ever get married? Was Freddie always insane?
Is Daphne as amoral as Freddie?
The way Daphne and Freddie were living, when Freddie gets himself in trouble, is puzzling.
Freddie's financial position: had his parents been reasonably well off?
What line of work was Charlie in, and who were his friends? It's all so mysterious.
jrl6809's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kingkong's review against another edition
3.0
Its well written but too sane. What he should have done is repeat every thought thirty times like Bernhard
jatridle's review against another edition
4.0
The prose is wonderful. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. And I believe a Julie in a different mood would have given this book its 5th star. But this narrator is such a terrible human being who gets to tell his story in so much more detail than he deserves that it ate at me. But, of course. That is the magic of this book. So, take this review with a grain of salt. A less grouchy reviewer would have been able to appreciate the wickedly dark humor this book has to offer. I may try this book again at some point. And I will definitely try more John Banville in the future.