Customer Reviews

The Sixth Lamentation

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The suggestion by a reviewer appearing on the back cover that Mr. Brodrick might follow in the footsteps of his renowned countryman David Cornwall, known to lovers of spy fiction as John le Carre, prompted me to read this book. Immediately after finishing The 6th Lamentation, I began reading Absolute Friends, the latest book by Mr. le Carre. As an act of kindness I won't compare the efforts of these two authors.

I have great patience when reading but I have to admit feeling put off by the disjointed structure of this book. Movements of the main character, Father Anselm, at many points made no sense whatsoever. What appeared to be compelling leads for him to pursue were mysteriously set aside as we find the Father, once again, meandering through the grounds of his monastery conversing with various and sundry characters. The convolutions of the structure and the torpid pace of the inquiry by Father Anselm made it difficult for me to stay engaged with the story, which, in my opinion, is unnecessarily complex. It is also told in such a fragmentary way that it was difficult to hold the pieces together sufficiently to engage one's curiosity. I felt as though plot devices were set up intentionally to jerk me around, whether the fact of a primary character who is unable to talk or a significant finder of fact who stumbles at his table in a cafe and dies from the fall, or the abundance of people telling lies for reasons that escape me.

As a fan of historical fiction with a strong element of intrigue I really wanted to love this book but simply couldn't. Reading the autobiographical notes on the author I can appreciate how the various threads of this book came into being. His experience as a monk, attorney and son of a woman with a rare disease all managed to find expression in this piece of fiction. Perhaps next time, having exhausted the store of experiences of his lifetime up to this point, he will be able to sharpen his focus and bring us a story of greater subtlety that will engage and entertain us.

And now back to Absolute Friends...

(As a footnote I'll observe that people tend to rate most highly those reviews that are laudatory. I'm not certain whether this phenomenon is the product of folks who love the book in question and are offended that someone would think otherwise, or a belief that if you can't say something nice you should say nothing at all. I would like to believe that a well thought through assessment of a product, whether positive or less than positive, is of value to a prospective buyer of that product. But that's just one man's opinion...)

Part historical fiction, part detective story, part courtroom drama, this Dickensian tale about the lives connected to a Nazi war criminal will reward your patience. The introductory chapters move slowly at first, but nothing is as it first appears. The intrigue builds to an amazing conclusion. This is a great story about relationships and the human condition. As bonuses, the story never becomes formulaic nor descends into vulgarity. I highly recommend it.

A former Augustinian friar, William Brodrick well knows the focus of his compelling and ultra literate first novel. Voice performer Graeme Malcolm, a veteran of the Broadway stage, also knows his oeuvre well, and delivers a moving, highly listenable reading.

When an elderly man comes to Father Anselm's door seeking sanctuary, the prelate welcomes him to Lakewood Priory. Little does he know or would he have cause to imagine that his visitor, Eduard Schwermann, is a suspected Nazi war criminal.

Elsewhere, Agnes Embleton has little of mortal life remaining. Thus, she shares a half century old secret with her granddaughter, Lucy. Some fifty years ago Agnes had lived in occupied Paris where she worked with an underground group dedicated to saving Jewish children. But, it was not long before her group was discovered by SS officer Eduard Schwermann.

Thus begins an intertwining mystery that will hold listeners in thrall. Father Anselm learns that the Church has sheltered Schwermann in the past. Further, it assisted him in escaping to Britain and safety in 1944. Why? How could this be?

In addition, Lucy finds herself exploring her grandmother's once hidden past, little knowing the stunning facts she will unearth.

"The 6th Lamentation" is a mystery and a morality tale - a noteworthy debut.

- Gail Cooke

The many reviews posted here tell the plot of the story, and tell it well. However, what is most remarkable about this first novel is the pacing, the depth of the characters, and the passion in the writing. The mystery is not solved until the last page and just when you think you have figuered it out, there is a surprise to show you that you do not have it figured out. The language is exquisite; I read many passages over again because I liked the wording. This book deserves the special handling that booksellers gave Cold Mountain and The Lovely Bones. It deserves to be a best seller. Read it and enjoy and pass the word along.

This is one of the best books I have read. The authors ability to evoke emotions through amazing imagery was wonderful.I found myself thinking about this novel and the questions it raised long after I put it down. The twists were beautifully executed(mostly due to the fully formed characters) always raising the thought in my mind about how peoples actions can be misinterpreted when we don't have all the facts. In my opinion this novel is not really in the spy genre but rather a look at human beings and their action in crisis and how preconceived ideas can cause misunderstandings of tragic proportions -absolutely wonderful novel

This may be the best book I read in 2005. The story was engrossing, the characters were well-developed and the actual writing itself was beautiful. So often books will have only 1 or 2 of those criteria, but not all three. The Sixth Lamentation was one of those rare books that I didn't want to end because I was so enjoying the sheer experience of reading it. Some reviewers here have said that the book was too slow and it is slow--don't expect a pot-boiler. This is a book about emotion, contemplation and truth rather than action. The only drawback is that The Sixth Lamentation is William Brodrick's first and to date only novel. I sincerely hope he's working on his second.

Usually I start my reviews by giving a brief synopsis of the novel's plot. I'm going to leave off doing so in this case as the plot to "The Sixth Lamentation" can be summed up by noting that it's about what happened in France during WWII, secrets and the quest for truth and justice. What I will do in this brief review is to urge everyone to READ this book! You won't regret it (borrow it from the library if you're leery about spending $24.95 plus tax), because "The Sixth Lamentation is a truly mesmerizing and engrossing read -- it was really hard for me to stop reading and put the book down. As a result, another morning in which I literally had to force myself to wake up and drag myself to work because I had stayed up reading till the early morning hours. Word of warning though: William Broderick's prose style can be a little dense at times. On the other hand, it's a really clever and thoughtful book, masterfully told and dealing with ideas and concepts such as the nature of true heroism and sacrifice, and the difference between myth and actuality.

The pacing was brisk and taut so that you really felt the tension and suspense mount as each new revelation opened up some new facet to the "truth" of how Schwermann managed to escape apprehension and prosecution in 1944. And the manner in which the authour brings all his characters to life -- from the terminally ill Agnes Embleton, who has hidden the truth of her life prior to 1944 from her family, to Father Anselm who thinks he's up on every trick in the book, but who's belatedly realizing that he just may not be as clever as he thought he was, to the mysterious Salomon Lachaise who has been following the events that have unfolded at Larkwood Priory with deep interest -- is also noteworthy. How Broderick has woven in each character's different story/history into the events that are presently unfolding in the book, how this impacts on the story at hand (Anselm's unraveling of the truth and the criminal trial of Schwermann), and how everything comes together in a neat and satisfying manner in the final few chapters, is just breathtaking (can you say that about a book, I wonder?).

"The Sixth Lamentation" is a remarkable debut novel. I know that there has been a lot of positive reviews from many newsletters and websites, and it's nice to be able to wholeheartedly agree that "The Sixth Lamentation" is definitely a book worth taking note off and recommending as an excellent read. So, if you like books that make you pause and think, books about secrets and truth and if you don't mind that the only 'action' involves the travels of one monk from city to city in search of an elusive truth, you're bound to be satisfied with "The Sixth Lamentation."

I have read this novel slowly over some weeks around competing commitments. While this was not intended, it has enabled me to assimilate, interpret and enjoy the novel even more.

This is William Brodrick's first novel, and it is one of the most accomplished first novels I have ever read. Why? The use of language, the character development and the integration of different views in the story adds complexity and vibrancy.

At its heart, this novel is about the morality of individuals and the actions taken in Occupied France during and after World War II. There are many interesting and intersecting stories here: which people took what actions and why those people acted the way they did. At times, the story appears convoluted and not all elements work perfectly. For me, that is fine as I think it more accurately depicts the world created.

Finally, my dilemma is in trying to identify who else might enjoy this novel. The subject matter will make it painful for some and distasteful to others. But if you can read beyond the setting and enjoy well crafted fiction set in the immediate past, this may well be a novel for you.

For me, it is a keeper.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Excellent first novel--well constructed and interesting throughout. Plot twists kept reader glued to the story. Characters well defined. Can't wait for his second book!

Wow - I am still reeling from the fast pace of disclosures in the last 1/3 of this incredibly well written book!

Brodrick writes as though he was there - a testament to well-thought out research, incredible imagination & haunted characters....each desperate to resolve the past & move on with their lives...

I was intrigued by all aspects of the monastery life & due to parallels - albeit in reverse - between Father Anslem & Broderick; the author's voice rings true throughout.

You can't help but fall in love with Father Anslem: this well-intentioned sleuth who tries to not only solve the mysteries of the past but also reconcile himself & his beliefs to the huge moral issues & dilemmas it raises.

The aftermath & the number of lives affected by the actions of so few on that fateful summer lend the novel its heart-wrenching authenticity....

Although some of the plot was transparent - namely Robert (the piano clue was a dead give-away) & at other times annoyingly frustrating when certain clues were not pursued or obvious questions asked at opportune times - yet despite this the author still manages to keep the twists & revelations coming thick & furious down to the last 2 pages!

I can't wait to get my hands on his next novel! What an excellent debut - well done William :o)