Weathercock [Hardcover]

Glen Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2003

Funny, shocking, gripping, challenging, contemporary, eternal, on the side of both God and the Devil - the new novel by one of Britain's most talented and confronting young writers asks what stops us doing the worst thing there is. This is the confession of Dominic Francis Hood - Roman Catholic, sadist, conspirator to murder, witness to a miracle. Dominic's childhood had the usual cardinal points: the love of his family, a vague belief in God, a general curiosity, an emerging libido. But after he witnesses a miracle performed by Father Ignatius Malone, Dominic realises some part of him is skewed. Instead of becoming attracted to good, Dominic finds himself stimulated by the idea of other people's pain. And he knows that the mere fantasy will never be enough. WEATHERCOCK is the great modern moral inquiry, by one of England's brightest and most confronting young novelists. By turns hilarious, appalling, celebratory and sad, it is an investigation of profound temptations and those human weapons - sometimes formidable, sometimes frail - we bring to bear against them.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Glen Duncan's previously acclaimed novels are I, LUCIFER; LOVE REMAINS; and HOPE. He lives in North London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (June 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743220145
• ISBN-13: 978-0743220149
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of sadism, and a lot more, January 30, 2004

By 

Paul Lagden (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weathercock (Hardcover)

I read Weathercock after reading "I Lucifer" by Duncan. I found I Lucifer a bit hard going in places, but ultimately a good read. Seeing that he knocked that one out in between writing Weathercock, he did a good job (Duncan explained this to me when he came to sign his books in the book store I work in). Weathercock is something very different though. It took Duncan 6 years to write, and is a much deeper, more intense book, but a lot more satisfying. Its about one boy/mans progression through life, whilst confronting the demons inside him - namely the allure of the mysterious and sadistic Deborah Black, who becomes an obsessive addiction to him, with the deep catholic upbringing Domonic Hood (the main character)has had. Its also about friendship/kinship as young Domonic deals with the the trials of growing up along side his good friends Pen and Kelp. Along with his religious turmoil and thoughts of a sadistic nature, he also has to deal with the pain of the loss of friendship through death. Ok - it all sounds a bit hard going, but believe me, its not. Its inter laced with humour and is moving in the way it deals with Domonics thoughts and feelings. This is a book that will make you feel satisfied that you bothered to read it. Its 500 pages that will keep you engrossed, and ultimately rewarded at the conclusion. A 5 star book!

3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of sadism, and much more, January 30, 2004

By 

Paul Lagden (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weathercock (Hardcover)

I read Weathercock after reading "I Lucifer" by Duncan. I found I Lucifer a bit hard going in places, but ultimately a good read. Seeing that he knocked that one out in between writing Weathercock, he did a good job (Duncan explained this to me when he came to sign his books in the book store I work in). Weathercock is something very different though. It took Duncan 6 years to write, and is a much deeper, more intense book, but a lot more satisfying. Its about one boy/mans progression through life, whilst confronting the demons inside him - namely the allure of the mysterious and sadistic Deborah Black, who becomes an obsessive addiction to him, with the deep catholic upbringing Domonic Hood (the main character)has had. Its also about friendship/kinship as young Domonic deals with the the trials of growing up along side his good friends Pen and Kelp. Along with his religious turmoil and thoughts of a sadistic nature, he also has to deal with the pain of the loss of friendship through death. Ok - it all sounds a bit hard going, but believe me, its not. Its inter laced with humour and is moving in the way it deals with Domonics thoughts and feelings. This is a book that will make you feel satisfied that you bothered to read it. Its 500 pages that will keep you engrossed, and ultimately rewarded at the conclusion. A 5 star book!