Sebastian Faulks, Engleby

Having read Birdsong I'd been looking out for other books by this Sebastian Faulks, and Engleby proved to be another fantastic book, with such effortless writing it makes me wonder why everyone doesn't write like this. I'll definitely be reading more of his books.It's rare to find a book that grabs you from the first pages, perhaps more so as the story is told almost completely through the main character. We start with the eloquent portrayal of a highly intelligent young man, begrudging his way through University life. The complex nature of his character is oddly compelling, an intelligent mind in disharmony with it's surroundings, not responsible for it's actions as if by protest, yet critical in it's assessments and understanding of others. This dark and cynical character chooses solitude where possible, his needs for fulfilment met in a heady mix of drink and drugs, and it seems his mind is equally capable of resolving his problems of companionship, beyond anyone's comprehension. The Story switches back and forth from his childhood to the present day, from his family relationships and schooling, right up to his career as a Journalist. The Author weaves a wonderful web of a plot, the reader, still unsure whether to cast the lead as hero or villain, is left guessing which part of the characters unravelling psyche is going to bring his downfall first. I really only wanted to put this down a couple of times, mostly due to it's almost demonic slant, but i still had to know how he turned out. It's a thoroughly good read although it's kind of hard to recommend it to anyone without incurring a strange look from them afterwards. Recommend it i do though, it's witty, charming, true to life, hellish and creepy, and a book you'll think and talk about months after reading it. Great stuff!

For any-one who enjoyed "Human Traces", Engleby by Sebastian Faulks is a fantastic read; for any-one who enjoys reading good old fashioned mysteries this is a fantastic read. For those who like their fiction already reading like a Hollywood movie script - avoid it at all costs! I just hope S.Faulks does not sell this one to a movie mogul in the future.

The writer uses the authorial mask with an expert touch. Linguistically turned to perfection like a hand crafted bowl - his imagination's lathe produces a symmetry unlike life yet revealing life's intensity and the problems of being human in 2009.

The detailed clues in the narrative are there but like most people who will read this book I have not been to the location where most of it takes place so missed the clues completely.