Quincunx (original 1989; edition 1990)

Brought to the BC-meeting in Castricum for me :-)

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This book of course sets out to recreate a traditional nineteenth century novel. The language, the plot curves, the characters, the settings, these elements all work admirably towards that end. If you are transported by historically accurate nineteenth century details; if you love very, very complex mysteries; if intrigues and the Gordian knots of family genealogies lure you; if the you are charmed by the reconstruction of pre-Victorian plot conventions, this book is definitely for you. The obvious scholarship that went into this work is clearly impressive.

There are also very compelling studies in pre-Victorian class structure, economy, and land speculation--with its attendant side effects and spin offs.

Many of the characters are well defined and endearing. So the cumulative whole of this book is worth your time.

But I, myself, have never been a big fan of mysteries; and although this book aspires to be more than simply a classic of the mystery genre, there are enough of the plot systems required for a mystery, included in this book, for [book:The Quincunx|824986] to be compared effectively to that literary convention. And what I have always found tedious in mysteries is the denouement: that gathering in parlour while the great detective explains, to us, that “…the maidservant couldn’t possibly have killed the Viscount because she was in the conservatory while….”

Well about two-thirds of the way into this large book, an exhaustive sequence of denouements begins.

“Ah ha! So the countess was really the same woman who……….”
“So Exeter is really the grandson of……..”
“So the reason that Charles left the banquet so early was……”

These start slowly at first; but occur more frequently, and accelerate manically as the conclusion approaches. And because the plot twists, the mysteries, and the revelations are so labyrinthine—so, therefore, are the denouements. And, therefore, these explications become numerous, frequent, and tedious.

But many readers, I am certain, will very much enjoy the unraveling of this complex puzzle. And this process allowed a thorough and admirable investigation into human motivations and the results of our actions.

So for me this was not what I expected, but a worthwhile read. And it was tedious at times. ( )

It starts off slow, but once the main cahracters get into london, the movie gets quite interesting and engaging. ( )

Don't know if I'll ever finish this one... ( )

http://myquestforaclassic.com/category/books/the-quincunx/ ( )