14 May 2013

BLACK SPRING.

BLACK SPRING by ALISON CROGGON.

An evocative reimagining of Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's timeless tale of doomed love.

When Oskar Hammel seeks refuge in the grim Northern Plateau, he discovers a patriarchal society where vendetta holds sway and wizards enforce the code of blood and vengeance.

Through a shocking encounter with the brooding Damek and his wilful young wife, Lina, Hammel uncovers a story of destructive longing and possessive desire beyond his bleakest imaginings.
..... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (1: Hammel): After the long winter, I needed to get as far away from the city as I possibly could.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 17): His eyes were absolutely devoid of light, and his features pale and insensible as carven marble. The rain ran unchecked down his face, as if he really were a statue. My heart quickened as I  noted the white band he wore around his right arm. This, then, was one of the Dead; 

MY THOUGHTS: An evocative reimagining of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights according to the outer back cover.

Hmm, though not totally unfamiliar with the story I've never actually read Wuthering Heights so I can't possibly comment on this BUT as comparisons with Gothic classics seem to be the order of the day I admit that for me the opening chapters of Black Spring put me in mind of Bram Stokers Dracula.

Rather disappointing all round. The dual narratives (the story telling is shared between Hammel and Anna) did nothing for me and whilst I thought it very brave of the author to combine witches and wizards with a Gothic-style love story, it just didn't work well for me.

Though written for the Young Adult market (for those 14 and over according to the cover) whilst I suspect it will be just as appreciated (or not) by those much older I wouldn't think it particularly suitable for younger readers due to the 'vendetta' which, without giving anything away, is quite harrowing to read.

KEEP IT OR NOT?: An Uncorrected Proof copy received at a book event, I shan't be keeping this.


Please note: All original content on http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/ is created by the website owner, including but not limited to text, design, code, images, photographs and videos are considered to be the Intellectual Property of the website owner, whether copyrighted or not, and are protected by DMCA Protection Services using the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Title 17 Chapter 512 (c)(3). Reproduction or re-publication of this content is prohibited without permission.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.


13 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Although I read and liked Wuthering Heights (when I was a young teen) this is probably not one for me.

Kelly said...

I was a fan of Wuthering Heights back in the day, so I'm not sure I would like this, either.

brandileigh2003 said...

Sad that it was disappointing. I haven't read Wuthering Heights either, but I know I should

Lindsay said...

I love Wuthering Heights, but I don't think I could imagine it being rewritten/reimagined in this way. Well done for giving it a go though anyway.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Tracy,

I love the sound of term 'carven marble', although I must admit that I did check it out, just to make sure that carven was indeed a word!

I have never read Wuthering Heights either and I know as much of the storyline as was told in the song by Kate Bush!

That aside, I am still hung up about authors who take classic stories and re-work them, it's a pet hate of mine! Have they not the imagination to come up with something original, perhaps they are in the wrong profession?

Not a book for me I'm afraid, although I am sorry that you didn't enjoy it more, as you took the time to read it.

Thanks for the honest appraisal,

Yvonne

StarTraci said...

Sorry it was disappointing as it sounds so intriguing. Truth to be told, I have seen more than one film of Wuthering Heights but have never read it. Maybe I should just do that.
:-)
Traci

Maude Lynn said...

This doesn't really sound like my cup of tea.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

More on par with Dracula? Wuthering Heights? Makes me curious. I actually like reworks of classics. However, this one may not be my cuppa. Thanks for the review!

Suko said...

Petty, I'm sorry this book was disappointing. May the next book be a keeper!

Literary Feline said...

It's too bad this one turned out to be disappointing. I confess I am not a fan of Wuthering Heights. You have me curious though from your description of it. I wonder if it'd be something I'd like . . .

Gina said...

Goodness me...that's the trouble with redo's; they either have it or they don't. Still curious about this one to some degree, but with a grain of salt. Thanks for the share!

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

Sorry you didn't enjoy this one more. I read Wuthering Heights many years ago- but I am not sure this one is for me. Thanks for sharing!

Betty Manousos said...

sorry you didn't enjoy this one. not a book for me either.
thanks for your honest wonderfully written review, tracy!

xx