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A review by graced
God Knows by Joseph Heller
3.0
Heller's novel fills in the biblical silences that surround the story of King David. Growing bitter in his old age over his lost communication with God, David recounts everything from his past including his defeat of Goliath, the many battles against Saul, his marriages the death of his first child and his fear that Solomon will succeed his kingship.
The novel has an extended focus on David's promiscuity, looking back at his old conquests and wishing for those sexy, exciting exploits to be part of the present.
Heller's David also leaps out of his own narrative, unchained from time and chronology. This all-chronological approach has him critiquing his own historical reception in literature and culture. He hilariously scorns over Michelangelo's Florentine statue of him "He's got me standing there uncircumcised! Who the f*** did he think I was?" and voicing his disdain of the "overrated hack William Shakespeare of England".
This rating would be higher if the novel was perhaps a bit more digestible. It read at times as just the persistent ravings of a bitter man- which of course was the aim of characterisation- but this can become tedious at times.
I think a base knowledge of the biblical King David would be needed to fully appreciate the novels subversions and therefore might limit some readers enjoyment.
The novel has an extended focus on David's promiscuity, looking back at his old conquests and wishing for those sexy, exciting exploits to be part of the present.
Heller's David also leaps out of his own narrative, unchained from time and chronology. This all-chronological approach has him critiquing his own historical reception in literature and culture. He hilariously scorns over Michelangelo's Florentine statue of him "He's got me standing there uncircumcised! Who the f*** did he think I was?" and voicing his disdain of the "overrated hack William Shakespeare of England".
This rating would be higher if the novel was perhaps a bit more digestible. It read at times as just the persistent ravings of a bitter man- which of course was the aim of characterisation- but this can become tedious at times.
I think a base knowledge of the biblical King David would be needed to fully appreciate the novels subversions and therefore might limit some readers enjoyment.