Continent

Rating:
Summary: THE LANDSCAPE AS CHARACTER
Review: In Jim Crace's first novel (actually in disguise a seven stories), CONTINENT, the talented author of QUARANTINE and THE GIFT OF STONES has brought to life the very landscape of the story itself, making it the 'character' that all of the stories have in common, the thread that ties them all together.

It is quite an invention -- unique, alien and unrecognizable, a seventh continent, unnamed, for which Crace has conceived languages, people and cultures that will not allow themselves to be pigeonholed by the reader's preconceptions. This device is a risky one -- and Crace pulls it off beautifully. He has brought into being a clean, empty slate upon which to paint these tales -- and in doing so he has freed himself of societal conventions.

By separating the reader from the known world, Crace holds up a painting for us to lose ourselves within -- and before we know it, it becomes a mirror, and we are looking at ourselves, but in a fabulist landscape wherein our beliefs and actions are actually more sharply in focus than if they were in their usual surroundings. Very effective.

I have only (so far) read the two other works by Crace that I mentioned above -- and I enjoyed them thoroughly as well. This book is quite different -- reminding me, as one of the quotes on the book jacket mentioned, of Italo Calvino. Not bad company for Mr. Crace to share, in my opinion -- and I'm not saying his work is derivative of Calvino's art in any way. I'm also reminded of the recent novel by Gaetan Soucy, THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WAS TOO FOND OF MATCHES, another amazing creation of a seemingly parallel -- but just as unnamable -- space and time.

There is much to be gained and absorbed from this work -- it will definitely merit repeated readings. I'm also looking forward to reading BEING DEAD and THE DEVIL'S LARDER.

Rating:
Summary: A Quincunx Of Sevens
Review: Prior to the first of the stories in this book there is a quote. It is from The Histories Of Pycletius, and it makes a statement upon 4 topics that are each comprised of 7 parts. Author Jim Crace adds his collection of stories, which are 7 in number, to bring the confines of a pentagon of like numbers to a close. While this is only the second time I have had the pleasure of reading this man's work, I can safely say that every word of his writing is carefully chosen. Whether this book grew from the quote, or was merely a pleasant coincidence, only the Author knows. I doubt it was chance. I think it is another demonstration of the unique writing this man shares with readers.

An imagined 7th continent is revealed in 7 stories. This imagined land might not be named or located for us, however it certainly is amongst those we do know, and regularly interacts with its neighbors. Pycletius states that his 7th landmass has business, and it is that of both trade and superstition. The Continent of Mr. Crace shares the attributes that Pycletius lists, and the darker sides of man. It was almost as though he was going to tell tales of the 7 deadly sins. While some of the stories do fit those themes, to say that others do would be a stretch. If you were to add some of the fables of Aesop, then you would have the stories covered.

These stories do contain some themes that are familiar. What makes them special is Jim Crace's unique way of presenting his variations. A person who jogs for exercise would seem to be completely benign, however Jim Crace demonstrates how this seemingly harmless activity can damage a small town. The concept of tradition is examined, and success when it means money can become insidious, and destructive.

Jim Crace is an author whose work I initially found difficult to engage with. I started with his work, "Quarantine", and now starting here with, "Continent", I hope to read the balance of his work is the sequence he wrote it. The man's work is fascinating, and is well worth any initial hurdles you may experience.

Rating:
Summary: A World without Love
Review: This terse and masterly written novel, constructed as a collection of short stories without any apparent interconnections, has only one hero - a new Continent itself. The Continent does not really exist on world maps but its inhabitants are quite similar to the people of real continents in many (unfortunately, unseemly) ways. So, turning the last page of the novel, we breathe with relief because we are living beyond the confines of this Continent where occurs trade but not trust, superstition but not faith, lust but not love...