Customer Reviews

Lanark

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The story is written as a kalidescope of imagery, allowing the reader to piece together as best he or she can the setting and events of Lanark's life. I was so moved by the characters in this story that I, for a time, thought that I would find my calling in art school as the main character had. Turns out I was wrong about art school, but I still love this novel. The Schizophrenic pace at which events unfold keep the reader's attention and curiosity, while the metaphoric symoblism is sure to make this novel a lasting cult classic. Amazing, beautiful, and above all a work a genious.

I often compare books to food, some are snacks, meals, a feast, etc. Lanark: A Life in 4 Books is a carnivores dream, this book is all meat. It's 560 pages of metaphors, similes, and a twisted reality that will give your brain plenty to chew on for a long time. Lanark is part fantasy and part biography that took Alasdair Gray nearly 30 years to write. The story is told out of order (book 3 is at the beginning), and the Epilogue comes before the last 4 chapters, yet the story flows perfectly.

Alasdair Gray has masterfully created a bizarre fantasy world that is so tightly wrapped around reality that the two become one. I found the story totally unpredictable.. It has a dark, and has bleak feel to it, but somehow it manages to keep a spark of hope throughout the book.

The main character isn't very likable, but I found myself caring for him (or at least what happens to him) and understanding him. As for the other characters it's more about understanding what they represented. The fact is everything in this book is a representation of some aspect of life. I'm still having Ah-ha moments where I'm putting it all together. I won't give details simply because I don't want to ruin any of it.

Lanark: A Life In 4 Books is one of the best novels of our time. The title says it all (this book is about life).