A review by yak_attak
The Etched City by K.J. Bishop
5.0
"What does it all mean?" Gwynn asked, intrigued
"An unnatural history of existence in a state of flux," she said. "The midden of an old world, surfacing after a frost. A new world in a nymph-state, before its mature form is decided."
"And how will it be decided?"
"With inspiration and passion, and perhaps a little tragedy. Or perhaps cynically, in back rooms, behind closed doors. Time will tell."
I don't typically highlight quotes with my reviews but it seemed poignant in this case for two reasons - first, you can tell from the short snippet how excellently Bishop's prose can be when it hits its highs, a marked strength for a debut novel, vast, imaginative, strange, but capturing the grimy underbelly of its lawless protagonists well. I think at times it lapses to either side - either too florid, or too simplistic, but on the whole, the book is completely captivating.... even if evasive.
Secondly, it gives you a hint at the vague metaphysical nonsense in store here, and I do mean that in the most complementary way possible - The Etched City is a story of a battle for the soul of a man, for the life in a city, for the new world emerging from the ashes of a war into a early 19th century mirror of our own. The old west, mobsters, etc. - despite its overarching strangeness and pervasive magic the setting and story of the book aren't that odd at all, lulling you into thinking there's not much fantastical going on.... But don't be concerned, this book oozes strangeness, New Weird via Epic Magical Realism. Or something.
All together, this is a fantastic work, one grappling with modernity, art, self, and like so many of the great novels that grapple with shit like modernity, art, and self, it's also kinda a pain in the ass and confusing at times. But that's part of the fun. Give in, enjoy the ride, and you'll find something special.
"An unnatural history of existence in a state of flux," she said. "The midden of an old world, surfacing after a frost. A new world in a nymph-state, before its mature form is decided."
"And how will it be decided?"
"With inspiration and passion, and perhaps a little tragedy. Or perhaps cynically, in back rooms, behind closed doors. Time will tell."
I don't typically highlight quotes with my reviews but it seemed poignant in this case for two reasons - first, you can tell from the short snippet how excellently Bishop's prose can be when it hits its highs, a marked strength for a debut novel, vast, imaginative, strange, but capturing the grimy underbelly of its lawless protagonists well. I think at times it lapses to either side - either too florid, or too simplistic, but on the whole, the book is completely captivating.... even if evasive.
Secondly, it gives you a hint at the vague metaphysical nonsense in store here, and I do mean that in the most complementary way possible - The Etched City is a story of a battle for the soul of a man, for the life in a city, for the new world emerging from the ashes of a war into a early 19th century mirror of our own. The old west, mobsters, etc. - despite its overarching strangeness and pervasive magic the setting and story of the book aren't that odd at all, lulling you into thinking there's not much fantastical going on.... But don't be concerned, this book oozes strangeness, New Weird via Epic Magical Realism. Or something.
All together, this is a fantastic work, one grappling with modernity, art, self, and like so many of the great novels that grapple with shit like modernity, art, and self, it's also kinda a pain in the ass and confusing at times. But that's part of the fun. Give in, enjoy the ride, and you'll find something special.