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hstapp's review against another edition
2.0
My new least favorite Charles Williams book. This book is largely about an occultist ritual, really a life style that can be used to overcome death. Williams seems fascinated by it, but does not convey his fascination in such a way that the reader also becomes fascinated. I suspect it is also a tale about his friends, his fellow Inklings. Perhaps Tolkien is Roger, Lewis is Caithness and the O fellow who's name I can't remember that wrote primarily nonfiction and perhaps some poetry is Bernard. As I have only read the book through once, and not under the best conditions, and also have not done extensive bibliographical studies on the inklings I of course can not be sure, but I have my suspicions.
hayesstw's review against another edition
4.0
This one, his first published novel, is not his best. It starts off well enough, but towards the end there are too many long monologues explaining Considine's philosophy.
mikeblyth's review against another edition
3.0
In my opinion, this book is not at all up to the standard of Williams' other novels. There are some interesting characters and ideas but a lot of inconsistencies and rough edges as well. Read it if you have read the other novels and want this one for completeness. The one memorable character for me was Isabel, and her most memorable quote,
"But those that die may be lordlier than you; they are obedient to defeat. Can you live truly till you have been quite defeated? You talk of living by your hurts, but perhaps you avoid the utter hurt that's destruction."
"But those that die may be lordlier than you; they are obedient to defeat. Can you live truly till you have been quite defeated? You talk of living by your hurts, but perhaps you avoid the utter hurt that's destruction."
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