It took me FOREVER to finish this book. For a couple reasons. First, I broke my rule about being distracted by TV. Fall previews completely sucked me in (love Revenge and New Girl). Also, TV is easy to do with sitting chores like folding laundry.
Part of the problem was it was really difficult for me to get into this story. Even with a murder victim within the first few pages. The characters are methodical - the Inspector is always urging his assistant to slow down and listen, to observe - and the writing reflects that, almost to the point of plodding. None of the characters are particularly endearing either. The interpersonal relationships portrayed in the novel made me very uncomfortable; they are vindictive, obsessive, and possessive. Both the Inspector and his wife have apprentices and enjoy the level of control they have over them. There is a whole motif of a cold and impersonal world. Even sex is described in that way. When the Inspector is looking at his naked wife, he sees a silent and still statue.
The novel is intricate but the plot simple. It waits to be revealed. The characters obscure themselves as well - with veils, masquerade, hiding. One even believes himself to be a werewolf. Everyone is full of deception, and fire functions in the novel to reveal the truth. Unfortunately this fire burns.
I found the descriptions of Vienna at the turn of the century to be fascinating, from criminal investigation techniques to medical exploration. The author wonderfully juxtaposes mysticism with "modern" logic, and this, for me, was the most successful aspect of the novel.
Overall, I felt very dissatisfied at the end. I had unanswered questions and did not understand the motivation behind the denouement. I told my mom, who recommended the book and said it was a "fast read", that I hadn't really cared for the story. She said she hadn't either, so I asked her why she recommended it. Her response was, "It has such a great cover".
Rating: 4
Next up: The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman. Because I love stories about WWII. See also The Book Thief - Markus Zusak.
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