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Gloria mundi: A novel
New Pantheon,, (1979). Very good in a very good dust jacket (remainder mark, closed tear to back cover of dj,.). First printing. Novel set in a small rural community in Vermont by this National Book Award winning writer (who also happens to be the wife of Robert Penn Warren.) 214 pp.
214 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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December 30, 2018
TL;DR Atmospheric, convoluted. I didn't like it and I'm not sure if that's more on me or on the author.
Why I picked it up: The cover flap promised a runaway minister and I love reading about religious folk.
What I liked: The book has a definite, absorbing atmosphere. It's very much a local book with a strong sense of place, just what I like in a book. I also really enjoyed a few of the characters: Lem and Hannah Palz, Margo and Walt. The lowdown scoundrel runaway minister drives me nuts, but he's painted with a deft and sometimes hilarious brush.
What I disliked: It was an uphill battle, making sense of the plot. There are a variety of complex and varied characters, but they're introduced at a dizzying rate. The first time through I lost track of who everyone was. The second time through I knew who everyone was but I still got lost.
Verdict: I can't tell if this book is too intelligent for me or if it's pretentious. I'm giving it to the Little Free Libraries. Hopefully it will connect with someone out there.
Why I picked it up: The cover flap promised a runaway minister and I love reading about religious folk.
What I liked: The book has a definite, absorbing atmosphere. It's very much a local book with a strong sense of place, just what I like in a book. I also really enjoyed a few of the characters: Lem and Hannah Palz, Margo and Walt. The lowdown scoundrel runaway minister drives me nuts, but he's painted with a deft and sometimes hilarious brush.
What I disliked: It was an uphill battle, making sense of the plot. There are a variety of complex and varied characters, but they're introduced at a dizzying rate. The first time through I lost track of who everyone was. The second time through I knew who everyone was but I still got lost.
Verdict: I can't tell if this book is too intelligent for me or if it's pretentious. I'm giving it to the Little Free Libraries. Hopefully it will connect with someone out there.
Displaying 1 of 1 review