The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson: It just might be the last book you’ll ever need to read…
Posted by draabe on 17 June, 2008
After reading The Gargoyle, my first thought was that nothing could possibly top it. After 44 years (I started early) of reading anything I could get my hands on, including Moby-Dick, reading Andrew Davidson’s debut novel made me feel as if I were done. The Gargoyle had it all – all I’d ever wanted or needed from a book. My next thought was how on earth was I going to review it? Simply put, it’s complicated.
The book opens with a terrific car crash, landing the driver, who remains nameless throughout the story, in a hospital covered in first- to fourth-degree burns. A former drug addict and porn star-turned-adult-film-producer, the protagonist/narrator is a hero you would hardly expect to care about. He is sarcastic, dark, cynical and somewhat ungrateful. Yet, Davidson finds a way to subtly redeem him with his skilled and magical pen, drawing comparisons to The Inferno along the way. By the end of the book, you will probably like the foul-mouthed pornographer who initially cursed those who saved him, and you might even admire him.
While in the hospital, our unlikely hero is visited by a psychiatric patient, Marianne Engel, who believes that they were meant to cross paths. In fact, she believes they have met before – in a previous life. Officially diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic, Engel entertains with story after story that span lifetimes and cross boundaries. Her tales alone will have you turning pages quickly, but Davidson’s clever weaving of the stories into our hero’s recovery, and subsequent life with Engel, will have you shaking your head in amazement. However, Marianne Engel is not just a storyteller. She is an artist who carves gargoyles out of stone, and creates beauty out of something dark, giving life to that which seemingly has none.
The Gargoyle’s characters are rich and knowing, the imagery breathtaking, the voice and rhythm unfailing. Andrew Davidson spent seven years researching and writing The Gargoyle, and it paid off in more ways than one. Not only is it already an international bestseller (and deservedly so), but the manuscript purportedly ended up in a high-stakes bidding war after the initial $1 million offer was turned down by Davidson’s agent. This is his first novel, which can only be good news for him – and readers everywhere.
According to the publisher, The Gargoyle will “have you believing in the impossible.” But whether it brings you full circle or answers your questions with more questions, one thing is certain: The Gargoyle has the power to restore one’s faith in literature for the 21st century.
Publisher: Doubleday, 480 pages
Available August 5, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-385-52494-0
The Gargoyle Website (Burned by Love)
Read The Gargoyle on the Amazon Kindle 2
Rose City Reader said
I’m intruiged. I’ll start with your review and then may have to go straight to the book. But I hate the thought of coming to the end of my reading career! ;-)
draabe said
Don’t worry, Rose, that won’t really happen.
(Can you imagine it?!)
dailyfoolishness said
What a great site! And it took me literally 5 seconds here to find a new book to post to my Amazon wish list, thanks for the recommendation!
draabe said
Many thanks – I would love to hear back whether or not you actually like the book.
Beryl Singleton Bissell said
Wow. What a great review. I hadn’t heard of this book before. Here’s a question for you. To read as many books as possible I am also subscribing to Audible. Is Gargoyle the kind of book that I should read in paper (take notes, underline sections etc) or listen to?
Beryl Singleton Bissell said
There is a great site for discussing books that you might want to link with Diane . . . Shelfari. And they’ve started a special group for Minnesota readers and writers http://www.shelfari.com/groups/25210/about
draabe said
Beryl – thanks for the tip regarding Minnesota readers! As far as listening to The Gargoyle goes, it’s probably just fine. There are a few passages printed in a varied font, but the auditory change of these passages is probably more interesting. I didn’t do any “going back” when I read The Gargoyle to check what I’d already read or try and figure anything out. I just kept going!
Now that you mention Audible, it’s probably a great way to “digest” this book. I’m currently listening to a (different) book myself, as a matter of fact.
Maura Alia Badji said
Great review. But I doubt I will end my omnivorous reading career just yet.
I was wondering if you or your readers could help me–I used to get an eclectic little mail-order book catalog a few years ago. They also had their own imprint and would re-publish out of print books as well as new ones. They carried a lot of British books. Each issue was filled with personal reading recommendations and very literary book reviews. Does that ring any bells?
draabe said
Maura, it doesn’t ring any bells for me – other than the “million dollar idea” kind.
Devourer of Books said
Although it clearly didn’t end my reading life, you are totally right that if any book ever would, it would be The Gargoyle. Crazy amazing. I don’t know how anyone could ever write a novel again after reading it.
draabe said
“Crazy amazing” — that’s good…
stacybuckeye said
Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’m looking forward to reading it and my expectations are high. I’ll let you know when I’ve read it.
Burned by Love? Chat with “The Gargoyle” author, Andrew Davidson « The Raabe Review said
[...] (Having read and loved The Gargoyle myself, that makes me want to move Wroblewski and Barry to the top of my TBR pile.) [...]
EW Slams Andrew Davidson and The Gargoyle « The Literate Housewife Review said
[...] The Raabe Review ~ Devourer of Books ~ Book Room Reviews ~ Armchair Interviews ~ Fresh Fiction ~ Traci’s Book Bag ~ So Many Books, So Little Time ~ My Journey Through Reading ~ Muse Books Review [...]
Oddvenus said
I LOVE this book. I am now only 3 chapters from the end & I’m trying to drag it out so it won’t be over!! It’s hard to make it last when it so hard to put down. Thank you to Mr. Davidson for writing such a beautiful &, dare I say it!? ROMANTIC novel – the dark, rich, gothic type of romance that so many of us crave.
Tamara said
I’m about half-way through this book…and I was thinking the very same thing…don’t think I’ll be able to find another book as original or as well-written as The Gargoyle. Can’t put it down and have been telling everyone I run into to pick up this book A.S.A.P!
Allison said
I just finished reading this today. I loved it. I had every emotion while reading it and I was soooo sad for it to be over. I want to read it again, but I am sad that it won’t be with the exact same experience as the first time. The virgin read was the best. I borrowed it from a friend, but they will never get it back!!
Lianne said
This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. It is brilliant. I have been telling everyone I know to read it. I wept through much of it, and loved it all.
Catherine said
I loved the book! I don’t know anyone else who has read it so that I might discuss it with them and I do have a question. All of Marianne’s “friends” that she relates stories of are they all incarnations of her at different times in history? Also, why has she not aged?
draabe said
Catherine – when Andrew Davidson participated in a live chat via The Washington Post, he had this to say about that:
“Some things are better left for the reader to imagine, and decide.”
I imagined that the stories were – at the very least – symbolic of the relationship between Marianne and the narrator, if not more. As to your second question, let me just ask you: do you angels age?
By the way, there is a very cool discussion website you can visit if you want to discuss the book with other fans. Mr. Davidson makes an occasional appearance as well.
Amber said
In response to previous comments — I just finished the audio version of The Gargoyle, read by Lincoln Hoppe. I picked it up on a whim, having never heard of it before. I became a Gargoyle addict — forgoing other duties in order to listen to the book. I’m sad that I’ve finished it, but I will “read” it again. I’m sure that I will find even more to love on the second and third go-rounds. The book has an astonishing richness and depth — I have loaned it to a friend, who has pledged to return it on pain of death. Once I get it back, I’ll listen to it again.
draabe said
Amber, you’re not alone! When my daughter wanted to borrow the book, I bought her a new copy rather than part with mine. Check out the link on my homepage “The Gargoyle” which will direct you to ongoing online discussion.
Adams Press BookBlog » Bad days for big publishers. Good times for small presses. said
[...] and shipping. Example: Doubleday, now part of Random House, took a chance on first-time author Andrew Davidson’s The Gargoyle and paid him a $1.25 million advance. Even though the book was very well received [...]
LE said
I read this book (recommended by a local book store owner) for a comparison to the English patient for a school project. I was looking for some sparknotes and came across this… I just have to say, I really enjoyed the book, but was very bored through all of the stories that Marienne told. But that’s just me! :]
susan said
I loved this book. So intricate & beautiful. Very different. One of the few books I want to read again. One of the few also that I have recommended to my husband that he has liked!
Karen said
I just listened to the CD while driving to work each day. Enjoyed it very much in that format, the reader enhanced the story. Occasionally I find that the reader is a distraction when “listening” to a book. I read actual books extensively, and will likely add a copy to my permanent library so I can read it again.
kelly said
i am in the middle of the book now and i can not put it down. i have read a lot of books in the past, some of them classics, but i have never read a book like this. it is amazing!!!!
Ari said
i feel like everyone else who has read this book are all older and mature readers…
im only 17 but i loved this book. it was intricate, intriguing, complex, a little disturbing at times yet i couldnt put it down.
i felt a little wrong reading it in the beginning because it seemed to have some sort of an adult theme especially with his life career but seeing past it i found it was a book of love, of hope, of the undying connections between loved ones.
i choose to believe marriana engel and their past life…
i am soo reading it again this summer
i nearly died of a heart attack when my friend looked and the book and creased it down the middle of the spine
Mendy said
I passed this book up at the library for several months without reading the inside cover…thought it might not be the type of book I would read — just by the title — then I picked it up and could hardly put it down! Read it in less than 2 days…thoroughly enjoyed it and wonder if the author can outdo himself?…big order if you ask me….
Tonya said
The Gargoyle took me 9 months to read. Not because I am a slow reader, but because this is an awful book. I only kept reading it to see if it would get better and it never did. All the “bitchsnake” talk was annoying – in the middle of a paragraph – made no sense and just seemed to get in the way. Most of the sexual references were crude and did not have a place in the book either. I can see as you are talking about the background of the porn industry, but that trailed off in the very beginning. The remainder of the book referenced cheese on nipples and stupidity like that. Talk about the Inferno, there will be one in my backyard when I throw the book in the bonfire.
Tasi said
Saw the audiobook in the library – don’t believe in coincidences – I’m always intrigued by reincarnation theory. My praise for the book would merely duplicate earlier posts. I only listened to the book when driving – a deliciously agonizing way to stretch out this superb tale. The descriptions are so rich that while listening to one segment, I was compelled to stop at the grocery store on the way home to get the ingredients for one of the dishes! I will just add that if you’re short on time, you won’t lose much “reading pleasure” in audio format. Not only is Lincoln Hoppe a very talented narrator, he also does all international accents VERY well. A must read…And Draabe: blessings to you for creating your site and thanks to Google for posting your link on the first search page. As I said…no coincidences in the Universe. (I’d put Lincoln on the short list of entertaining narrators that includes Kate Reading and Barbara Rosenblat. These actors convert the audiobook “eating at McDonalds” ordeal into the “3 course dinner” adventure that reading provides.
Robert August de Meijer said
Although it sure is a page turner, I couldn’t help feeling the book is just a prime example of kitsch. It’s written sensationally, going from one extreme to the next (I do find it impressive, though, how the author manages to keep it all balanced and not becoming too repetitive). The characters are as two-dimensional as they get. That’s obviously the point, but why should I care about them, then? Ultimately, the story didn’t teach me anything; a pastiche of romantic spiritual events that I’ve heard a thousand times in other stories and ironically, gets retold by the short stories peppered in this book. I guess I’m supposed to lean back, put think less, feel more and enjoy the current. But that type of book bores me. I would advise The Gargoyle to young teenagers, but I doubt they’d enjoy this book more than, or learn more from, the latest edition of Final Fantasy.
Maybe I’m just hard on this book for being rather pretentious. Not by being intellectually snobby (like some books), but by all the decorations. The book has two acrostics (the first letter and the last letter of each chapter), a bunch of different letter-types, refers to half a dozen languages, likens itself to The Inferno, has black sides like it is burnt… and what’s with all the food?