Touch by

10 July 2011


Call no:
Genre: ,
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Rated :

Stephen has returned home to take up from his stepfather as pastor. He has also returned in time to sit at his dying mother’s bed side. He knows she is dying and is writing her eulogy, but at the same time remembering his past, as well as the stories and legends that grew up surrounding his grandfather Jeannot.

Zentner’s debut novel is a slow, atmospheric retelling of those childhood memories interspresed with Stephen’s musings on his current situation and relationships with his family members.

touch

I’m almost at a loss to describe this novel, although plenty happens in it, because there is little by way of a plot or storyline that moves people and characters forward. Instead it is more a collection of tales and stories, linked by the fact that they happened to people Stephen knew growing up, or heard the stories told.

It is a beautifully written book. You really feel the bitter cold that is at the heart of this book’s atmosphere. The winter in Sawgamet can kill, and worse. And the woods around the town are full of more than trees, there are witch. es and spectres out there. Supernatural elements that began with the founding of the town, when Jeannot stopped his travels because of the actions of his dog.

However, the blurb makes it feel as though there will be a lot more supernatural to the story than there is. It is more magical realism than fantasy, imo.

As I already said the writing is beautiful, but if you need a story to keep you entertained you might be disappointed in this one. It has a slow pace, and it moves backwards and forwards in the timeline. Nevertheless I enjoyed this book, and will keep my eye out for more by Zentner.

Other reviews: Book bliss ; BookSlut ; She reads novels

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4 Responses

  1. Caroline says:

    I read the review and then looked at your tags and I think each one of them appeals to me. It will go on the wish list. I don't mind less action, I realy like atmospherical well-written books and this sounds wonderful.
    Caroline´s last blog post ..Daniel Vigne’s Le Retour de Martin Guerre – The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)

    • Fence says:

      It is very atmospheric, and coincidentally it is the second book about life in a logging town that I've read recently. Although Arnow's Memoir was a very different sort of read :)

  2. Kailana says:

    I am not sure if I would like this just because of the slow pace. Everything else sounds good, though, so it is hard to say! I will have to think about it or maybe just give it a try and see what happens.
    Kailana´s last blog post ..Dune Read-a-Long – Part 1

    • Fence says:

      Maybe if you spot it at the library you could give it a try. In places the writing is wonderful, you really feel the harshness of the winters, and the magical atmosphere, but at the same time I don't think I'd reread it, so I'm glad I read a library copy.