A review by jammasterjamie
Jerusalem by Alan Moore

5.0

I think I have a new favourite novel and I can't wait to read it again. If you're just starting it or are stuck on some of the more difficult parts, stick through and savour every word because it all comes back beautifully by the end.

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Second read review - May 2017

Although I'm a big fan of rereading, it's not often that I'll go back to the same book within a year (especially one as long as this one), but Jerusalem has been taunting me from my bookshelf and haunting me in my mind, so dive back in I did and without a moment's regret. In fact, I got so much more out of it and garnered such a greater appreciation for the symmetry and art of the whole novel that I'm already starting to think about reading it again! Jerusalem is not a beach book, nor is it for the prude or light-hearted. Jerusalem is The Truth as perceived by Alan Moore, and you only deserve to read it if you're willing and able to give it the time and introspection that it's due. Everything's connected and even the ugly things can be beautiful. This novel is a journey, and it's one I look forward to walking again. And again.

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Fourth read - Feb/Mar 2020

Yeah, this is pretty much my favourite novel at this point. It's just perfect in its symmetry and I'm still picking up on new and exciting details and discoveries. I'm already thinking about when I'm going to read it again.

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Fifth read -Feb 2021

It just gets better and deeper with its intricate detail with every reread, and I'm still picking up jokes and running gags that I either previously missed or forgot. The whole thing really came together as a solid for me this time, and even the Lucia Joyce chapter was a breeze this time. This book is a great testament to everything a novel can be with the right amount of imagination and organization behind it. A lot of reviews here say that Moore could have used an editor, and to that I can only say that he obviously had a great one and that reviewers who say this aren't aware of how much thought, detail, and connectivity went into pretty much each and every sentence.

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Sixth Read - March 2022

This is my all-time favourite novel. Period. Truly transcendent story-telling.