The Book of Crows

by Sam Meekings

A young girl is kidnapped and taken through the desert to an isolated mountain brothel. Two thousand years later, after a suspicious landslide near Lanzhou, a low-level bureaucrat searches for a missing colleague. A thirteenth-century Franciscan monk, traversing the Silk Road, begins his extraordinary deathbed confession, while five hundred years earlier, a grieving Chinese poet is summoned to the Emperor's palace. In a series of delicately interlaced stories, Sam Meekings' richly poetic and gripping second novel follows the journeys of characters whose lives, separated by millennia, are all in some way touched by the mysterious Book of Crows - a mythical book in which the entire history of the world - past, present and future - is written down.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, 21st Century, British Literature, Novels, Historical, Literary Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Sam Meekings grew up near the south coast of England. He took an undergraduate degree in Modern History and English Literature at Mansfield College, Oxford University and, later, a Masters degree in Creative Writing at Edinburgh University. In 2005 he moved to China where he worked as a teacher and editor. He recently moved to Qatar with his wife and family to take up a post as Lecturer in poetry and creative writing at Qatar University. In 2006 and 2007 Sam was longlisted for an Eric Gregory Award for poets under 30.

Reviews

[bethanyangharad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book but... I didn't. I got to page 204 I think it was when I started to seriously consider putting it down, but I had gotten that far and was really determined to finish.

The narrative follows five individual characters from different time periods. These stories are split up by chapter (for example how GoT chapters are split up via character perspective) and this resulted in a lot of disjunction. The only link between the characters is the mystery surrounding the 'Book of Crows'. However, this connection was very weak and to be brutally honest, uninteresting. I feel as though this novel could have been written in less pages and with a more gripping mystery. Although I was bored, I powered through to see if the end of the novel made any revelations but in reality I was relieved just to finish.

I hate being all negative nancy so I did try to find some redeeming features. At the end of one characters story it was revealed that they were in a homosexual relationship, yet this was still overshadowed by the fact that he was hiding this romance from everybody. A second redeeming feature would be that in patches the language could be quite poetic.

If you are brave enough to read this novel I recommend that you flip between chapters and follow one character's story at a time, and in chronological order of time setting:

Rain at Night - set 814 CE
On the Principles of Nature - set 1288 CE
Fish and Bird - set 1738 CE
A Delicate Matter of Phrasing - set 1993 CE
The Whorehouse of a Thousand Sighs - set 80-78 BCE

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Crows, I feel, is a novel that has a strong start by building up the myths surrounding the titular Book of Crows, as well as introducing the reader to the various narrators and creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. What stopped it from being brilliant was the latter half of the novel. It seemed to fall flat and nothing was really resolved - there wasn't really a climatic or exciting conclusion, which I suppose is fitting for the story (won't say because of spoilers). On the whole, it was a book I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes books with multiple viewpoints or an interest in mythology. My favourite viewpoint was The Whorehouse of a Thousand Sighs, but the others were alright if slightly dry. 4/5 overall.

[Jenny B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this last week. A fun book told by four different characters. As with all books using this device, some characters are more interesting than others. Good summer read. Or since summer is mostly over, make it your first fall book. Read it with a cup of tea.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written but dull.

[Sam Ralphs · Rating 1 out of 5]

The closest I've come to not finishing a book in over 5 years, and the only book I've found so painful to finish that I felt the need to write a review.
Disjointed and drawn out, frankly boring. Took far too long to reveal what the "Book of Crows" is/was and why it was important to the characters. By the point it finally did; I didn't care. Meekings produced, at least for me, a strange dynamic where BOC felt simultaneously under-developed and too long. Well written passages are perceived to be important because "surely he must be building to something*" but generally fell flat because they had nothing of substance behind them and nothing to connect them to, apart from the vague and repetitively unsubstantiated references to crows.
Maybe I've missed something, maybe this just wasn't for me but since keeping track of my reads 2 years ago this has been my least enjoyable read by far.

Would definitely be less painful if read chronologically. I won't be doing that though sorry Sam.

*Spoiler alert: he wasn't, the book isn't even real.

[Black Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should you read this book? Well, if you Chinese history, and you like the idea of a collection of short stories, set across the whole of time, in particular focusing on the Silk Road, the meeting of the East and West cultures, a quasi-mythical artifact and tales of desperation, confusion, isolation and unlikely heroes, then "yes".

If that all sounds a bit like a Chinese version Cloud Atlas, then you'd be right. It's impossible to not compare the two. Sadly, Book of Crows isn't quite as good: whether-as in Cloud Atlas, all of the stories were corkers, here a couple are pretty good (modern-day noir detective story, and ancient history teenage prostitutes), but the other two (marco-polo monks and medieval imperial poet) aren't quite as strong. There's a short story in the middle (buddhist monks) has some nice themes, but isn't as good as the others.

There are lots of things that are great about Book of Crows - the settings, some of the characters, elements of wisdom and some good imagery. But it's a book I ended up liking, and not loving.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's more a connected web of 4 short stories, I could just about hold all 4 of them in my head but I did think perhaps it would've been perfect with just 3. The power of 3 is a very special thing! I also am not a massive fan of the short story genre so had I known this, I may have gone in with different expectations. But as it was, I went in knowing that Under Fishbone Clouds is one of my all time favourites, so expectations were high.

The added fifth story in the middle titled 'fish and bird' was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of story overload. It was just one too many strands and so I skipped over it in order to continue with the rest of the novel (the last 40% of which I skimmed) and not DNF it completely.

I enjoyed some of the 4 stories more than others. The story at the brothel was the star for me. This and the modern day storyline alone had the potential to produce a 5* book for me.

2/3 points for concept
2/3 points for writing
1/3 points for enjoyment
0/1 point for feeling/moved
= 5/10 (2.5/5*)

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format was a let-down here. While I enjoy the back and forth of different story threads, It didn't work for me this time. The individual stories were fine, though some more enjoyable and fleshed out than others, but the jumping back and forth seemed arbitrary and I never got a sense that laying the book out in this way had any benefit. Also, the book and the way it affected peoples lives was such a peripheral thing almost, each individual story seemed to build up to something and then simply stop w/o any satisfactory peak or conclusion. It was still a decent book to read on a weekend and there was potential, even if it wasn't fully realized.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually, I love books with interlacing stories or a series of narratives that are connected by something, so I was excited about this one. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The format didn't work. Some stories were much better than others, and it became a chore to get through the bad ones. The Whorehouse parts were the best written and most interesting to me. Maybe each story was too big? I think taken on their own, if these four stories had been their own book, it would have felt better. Or, again, a different format. It was well-written, had a great premise, but in the end, it was a big MEH for me.

[John Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Followed four timelines , all with the mysterious Book of Crows as a link between them.

Book was a little slow to begin with, but second half picked up. Deserved a 3.5 rather than a 3 overall I would say. Not quite a 4.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and easy read.

[Sue Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bits great, so interesting. Difficult to read in parts.
Read as a review

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fear I may have put a few people off this book with my comparison to Cloud Atlas, however I enjoyed Sam Meekings' The Book of Crows much more. Whilst both books have multiple stories spanning across history, Cloud Atlas is a literary matryoshka doll and The Book of Crows is more fluid. I personally like to get drawn into a story, so sometimes struggle when a book contains several plots that jump around. Whilst not a straight-forward time-slip novel, there was enough in my mind to connect the stories together and keep me going.

The book in question is a myth that Meekings has created, woven out of the many superstitions surrounding crows, death and prophecy and crows are a common occurrence throughout all the stories. The book is said to contain the entire world, the history, the present and the future and those seeking power also seek the book. The fact that the stories contained in the novel span from 80 BC to 1993 gives the idea that this could be a section of the mythological book.

Meekings has a background as a poet and this really shines through in his writing. Each page could be read an appreciated outside of the novel. In the story Rain at Night, the narrator is a poet writing letters to a friend and includes a deconstruction of a poem which I thought was a nice touch.

All the stories are set in China and they start with Jade's story, a girl who is stolen by bandits and sold into prostitution. At times, brothel life is horrific, but Jade does her best to get by each day and treat others kindly. She might come across as a bit naïve but the young voice is suitable for her story, she is only a child and has had little experience of the world before her capture.

I'm not sure if the narrator of the modern (1993) story is named. A colleague has gone missing after a landslide and the narrator is convinced something fishy is going on. He's abrupt and cynical and I only think he becomes a more sympathetic character nearer the end when more is revealed about his life outside of his marital home.

I must admit, the story of the Franciscan monks, travelling across China in 1288, nearly made me put the book down but I did want to know what would happen with the previous two narrators. The monks have a high and mighty attitude and it angered me how anyone not Christian was beneath them. Yes, this is most likely historically accurate, but as they were intruders in a foreign land, they came across as hypocritical. The prose was quite formal in style too which put me off a little. I think it was a fitting punishment that they were falling ill with the mysterious desert sickness.

In the end, the message of the book is to live life in the now and not to waste your life away chasing things that don't exist or are impossible to attain.

[Krystal Vittles · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. I genuinely mean that, even when I add my citicisms later I still thing this is a brilliant book and wonderfully written.

Meekings' didn't really create a story for TBOC, but rather he created a central theme and wove this throughout a handful of stories set at different stages of Chinese history. This is always a hard thing for an author to accomplish well and I do thing that it's a testament to him as a writer that he did this with aplomb, and that this book his second professional novel makes it more impressive.

I preferred some stories to others, but that's merely personal preference and not a reflection on his writing. I think one of the main things about this book is that I got an overwhelming sense that Meekings' really understands China. Not like authors who love a subject, research it and write it, more in a sense that he lives it. A quick Google serach proved me right; Meekings' lives in China, which I think really has helped him understand the Chinese psyche.

Meeking's was particularly good at leading youas the reader down a false alley only to suprise you with a twist in the tale you didn't see coming. I won't give it away, but the twist to the story about the modern day office worker was rather surprising.

Meekings' use of language was rather wonderful and his use of certain words in places felt just right, even if the word was a little obscure. Usually when authors try to do this I get irked as it feels utterly pretentious, but in this instance it wasn't. His command of language felt tight and he was able to keep a tight rein on it.

I almost gave this book five stars, but what stopped me was the uneveness of the story where parts of some stories felt a little like "filler" and he was padding them out for a word count. Meekings' could have spent the time more fully developing some of the other stories, such as the tiny stand alone story in the middle which held a lot of promise. Also, I think the interwoven theme of the search for The Book of Crows could have been linked more strongly between the stories and I would have liked to have seen shades of the stories within each other. I know Meekings' was leaving the origin of the book to people's interpretation, but I think it would have added to the overall effect if he had allowed more explanation of the book itself and the power it holds. Perhaps I'm just a pleb and I'm missing the more subtle allusions of ancient Chinese mysticism when he creates a vagueness around it, but there y'are. Still, a cracking, good read.

[Maryam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ‘Book of Crows’ is a fascinating story told by Sam Meekings in the form of three narratives, all encompassed in one piece and with the backdrop of China. In this book, he creates a myth that builds around the numerous superstitions associated with crows, including death. He lives on the belief that the future could be predetermined, and this belief is not often professed, but a number of people posses it.
The first narrative shows an injured soldier who is in search of the book. He believes it contains the secrets of the future, yet his nurse, who is a prostitute abducted from her village to a brothel, thinks that the book will spell nothing but rotten luck. Then he speaks of a civil servant who is in search of a lost friend, supposedly caught up in a mining disaster. However, the people from the Black Light mining company conspire to keep the truth about the book from him. Lastly, he speaks of a Franciscan monk who belongs to a group in the church in search of the book. They believe it contains material that will free the world from the dictatorship of churches and monarchies.
In this book, his language is easy so it can catch the attention of a wide range of readers and still poetic enough to keep the attention of all readers through out their reading experience. One quote in the book caught my attention. "If one man walks through the wilderness, we call him lost. Yet, if ten men walk the same way, we call their steps a path, and we call their route a journey." (Meekings) I think that everyone possesses the same view.
When one reads the book it leaves a question lingering in their heads. What if the future were to be predetermined? If one knew about it, will it be of benefit or distress? Anyone would admire the ambition and creativity which has been displayed profoundly in Meeking’s book.
In conclusion, the author covers contemporary life all the way from the earlier centuries to the current world. If you have not read this book then you should be on your way to the bookshop.

[Lizzy Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meeking’s book essentially revolves around a mythical book woven around the superstition of crows. Crows, are a prophecy for death and are a common theme through all four tales. The book in question is said to contain the entire world. Not only the history, but the past, present and the future. Those that seek power seek the book.

As with most multiple strand books certain stories were more interesting for me. The story of Jade and the boy was poignantly told. Held in a whorehouse after being captured their daily struggles were brilliantly told. The modern day story was also expertly told. An office worker who investigates the disappearance of his co-worker after a landslide. Meeking’s plays with the reader and then doubles back, turning the tale on its head. V clever.

Meeking’s use of language is brilliant. Certain words could be obscure and heady but it helps to place the reader in the setting. The author has a wealth of knowledge on Chinese culture and stuns the reader with complicated story-telling. He lives it rather than just tells it. Additionally each story does have a lyrical writing style. I believe that Meekings has a background in poetry that is distinguishable throughout.

The only wobble was the unevenness of some of the stories. Parts felt more like filling or padding than essential. It could be personal preference but I would have liked a deeper meaning between the links of the crows between stories. Singularly it was strong but as series of stories it was weaker. I also wish we had had more of Jade’s story. I think that could have become a book in itself.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I haven’t read a book like this in a long time. It brought together a stunning set of stories all revolving around an object that the reader created in their mind (ie the book.) It’s a fantastic show of storytelling. A great read.

[Jen Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ambitious, multifaceted novel that interweaves narratives from across thousands of years of Chinese history into one compelling story.

There are many elements that make this novel truly epic. The Book itself is the stuff of legend, said to contain the whole past, present and future of the earth, and for centuries, people have devoted their lives to finding it. There are quests, coverups and vengeful plots, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.

But somehow, The Book of Crows is never overly complex or dense. Although the Book takes the title, it's the characters that are truly at the heart of the story. All four narrators have colourful, distinctive voices, and though they are separated by circumstance and hundreds of years of history, each feels genuine and relatable. They all have different reasons for being drawn to the Book, and they each bring their own share of mysteries with them.

It's this skilful blend of intimate narrative and far-reaching saga that makes The Book of Crows a truly absorbing read.

*Thank you to ThePigeonhole.com for sharing this story!*

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book by a description of it which mentioned that it was inspired by the Silk Road(s) along which trade in beliefs and goods have travelled between China and Europe for millennia. The four threads of the novel are woven together by the Silk Road and a mysterious book which was said to have travelled from west to east sometime in the Current Era. The reader learns about the culture, history, geography and religions of China whilst pondering the mystery of the Book of Crows. The book is written in beautiful prose and has rekindled my desire to travel in China. Thank you to the publisher and The Pigeonhole for providing me with a copy in exchange for this review.

[Karina Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book traverses time, gender, culture and religious beliefs to explore one simple question: if we could know the future, would we want to? I was captivated by Sam's flawed characters, exotic locations, dips into history and descriptions of cultural practices I wasn't familiar with. I was also impressed by his ability to switch between vastly different character voices. Definitely recommend this book.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Premise is that there exists an ancient Chinese book which contains the entire history, present and future of the world. It follows 4 different stories, a girl who is kidnapped c.80BC and sold to a whore house (the fantastically named "Whorehouse of a thousand sighs"), a Franciscan monk taking his superiors deathbed confession in the middle ages, a man in modern China searching for his missing friend, and a poet in the employ of the Imperial family in about 800AD. All their lives are in some way impacted by the book.

I actually really liked it. The stories are very disparate, but it works, as all come back to the same strand, the search for the book of crows, and the extents people will go to to know their future, despite the fact it's ruined many men before hand. My favourite of the 4 plots was probably the whorehouse one, but all of them were decent. Some of the plots are linked, some aren't as far as I can remember - but it's all very well written and a decent read.

7.5/10

[Morrison Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

[Devaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicate, vivid and evocative, this story takes you into the lives of its protagonists and shows you how the search for the book has an impact on their lives. Jade, the young girl who is kidnapped and sold into prostitution, witnesses how the search for it drives officials up and down the Silk Road. Bai Juyi, poet and court official of the Tang empire, is sceptical about the existence of such a work; it is his expression of his beliefs that has an impact on his career. The Franciscan friars are on their way back from the Mongol court when tragedy overtakes their party in the desert--they too are searching for the manuscript. As are certain friends of a 1990s Chinese bureaucrat, who is looking for a man who vanished in a landslide.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book of Crows is an ancient Chinese Book, where all past, present and future events are written, and it is from this idea that Sam Meeking's novel takes its title and narrative drive.
So, we find a young girl, kidnapped and forced to work in a brothel, an office worker looking for a lost colleague after an earthquake, ordinary people mix with royalty, a Franciscan Monk wishing to atone for his past mistakes, and all of these are interlinked, whilst all working well in their own regards.
Meeking's novel is a masterpiece in interweaving ideas, thoughts and lives, and over its 400 pages, the dynamic of the writing is carried through out. This is a fine book both for the individual reader, and it will also offer book groups a lot of food for thought.

[Hanako · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really sure what to rate this. The writing is good and some of the intertwined stories I really enjoyed. But...they weren't so well intertwined...they felt disjointed. Which could have been enhanced by reading it on Pigeonhole as a serialized novel. I can't say I would really recommend this, though it's possible that it is much better when read as one whole book.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I couldn't put down and got me thinking quite deeply about what motivates people & also day-dreaming about life in China. I was, however, a bit deflated towards the end as was expecting more! More intra-weaving of the book of crows over the ages and more depth. Missed opportunity as it could have been a great story. I liked the writing style.

[harrie kd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book - altho the problem with having multiple strands is that you like some more than others. overall it wasn't bad and kept me entertained but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to recommend it.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time round, I have loved this book. Very convoluted, messed with my head, but ultimately a very moving love story.

[Roy Elmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was excellent. Meekings blends several time periods and several different characters in to one sweeping narrative filled with eastern spiritualism and metaphor. Read this!

[Abbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, honesty I haven't read it all. I couldn't. I really loved the wholehouse chapters, they were really interesting but I found the others stories wayyyyy too boring D: ...

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair. Searching for book at reveals future