Scan barcode
A review by bookswithlukas
Flames by Robbie Arnott
3.0
Magical realism is a tricky one for me. I generally like a subtle nod in the direction of magical realism but if it leans too far into the fantastical elements, it kind of loses me and takes me out of the story, to the point where there are very few I’ve enjoyed overall.
‘Flames’ by Robbie Arnott is a perfect example of this - while also managing to be one of the few exceptions. In truth, while ‘Flames’ is most certainly a novel with the classic beginning/middle/end...it also peppers in quite a few chapters and viewpoints that also act as little side stories or fables - and these little side sections were my favourite parts of the book. (A boy and a seal bonding to hunt tuna was a special highlight, along with the history of fire told from the point of view of fire itself).
Arnott’s imagination honestly knows no bounds and certain elements are weaved wonderfully into the main story of a family whose female members have a habit of momentarily reincarnating in the elements they die in. (Yes, that’s exactly how the book starts!)
There are elements that are a little more traditional though, such as a detective tasked with tracking down one of our lead characters that feels almost out of place and pedestrian due to the bizarreness of every going on around them in the story. It doesn’t ruin the novel or anything like that, but it did stand out as being one of its weaker aspects.
Purists will also be horrified to discover that Arnott doesn’t use speech marks, instead having all his dialogue simply italicised. It’s an odd choice in a novel full of oddities, but in general I’d say ‘Flames’ is more effective than not, with some truly stand out fable like tales that are not to be missed.
‘Flames’ by Robbie Arnott is a perfect example of this - while also managing to be one of the few exceptions. In truth, while ‘Flames’ is most certainly a novel with the classic beginning/middle/end...it also peppers in quite a few chapters and viewpoints that also act as little side stories or fables - and these little side sections were my favourite parts of the book. (A boy and a seal bonding to hunt tuna was a special highlight, along with the history of fire told from the point of view of fire itself).
Arnott’s imagination honestly knows no bounds and certain elements are weaved wonderfully into the main story of a family whose female members have a habit of momentarily reincarnating in the elements they die in. (Yes, that’s exactly how the book starts!)
There are elements that are a little more traditional though, such as a detective tasked with tracking down one of our lead characters that feels almost out of place and pedestrian due to the bizarreness of every going on around them in the story. It doesn’t ruin the novel or anything like that, but it did stand out as being one of its weaker aspects.
Purists will also be horrified to discover that Arnott doesn’t use speech marks, instead having all his dialogue simply italicised. It’s an odd choice in a novel full of oddities, but in general I’d say ‘Flames’ is more effective than not, with some truly stand out fable like tales that are not to be missed.