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.
drmeeshelle's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not sure what made me pick this up, but I’m glad I did. Banville’s prose is beautiful, unique, and rich. Each page contained a sentence I would read again and again, savoring it. I’ve seen other reviewers say his style is probably polarizing; one person’s mellifluous prose is another’s overwritten nightmare. I like it, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
The story itself is straightforward (not a lot “happens”, much of the book feels like a fever dream), but you get to walk around in the mind of a decidedly unsympathetic but oddly charming, unreliable narrator. As if Lolita had a child with The Stranger, I suppose. Weird, but it works.
This was my first Banville, and I’ll definitely be reading another.
The story itself is straightforward (not a lot “happens”, much of the book feels like a fever dream), but you get to walk around in the mind of a decidedly unsympathetic but oddly charming, unreliable narrator. As if Lolita had a child with The Stranger, I suppose. Weird, but it works.
This was my first Banville, and I’ll definitely be reading another.
bengthesnowball's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2.5
I do not think this is a bad book but it is one that I strongly disliked reading and I’m reviewing on the back of that.
It is essence the testimony of an egotistical narcissist after his arrest for murder and a retelling of his life from his point of view. It reminds me in parts of Lolita, The Catcher in the Rte and I imagine at least partially inspired the Goldfinch.
As you can expect the main character is incredibly unlikeable and that is the point but I also found him boring and just could never spark an interest in the story he was telling as a result.
I do not think this is a bad book but it is one that I strongly disliked reading and I’m reviewing on the back of that.
It is essence the testimony of an egotistical narcissist after his arrest for murder and a retelling of his life from his point of view. It reminds me in parts of Lolita, The Catcher in the Rte and I imagine at least partially inspired the Goldfinch.
As you can expect the main character is incredibly unlikeable and that is the point but I also found him boring and just could never spark an interest in the story he was telling as a result.