Scan barcode
A review by sunnybopeep
The Divinity Student by Michael Cisco, Harry O. Morris
4.5
Oh man, this was my first ever Cisco, and it felt like a good place to begin. After all, it was his first published novel.
This book is very short—novella length, but I would suggest really taking your time and savoring it. For one, Cisco has tons of detailed imagery and beautiful language. Some might find it heavy-handed, but the book is so short that I have no complaints. The ideas presented in this book are both novel and utterly fascinating. Ann Vandermeer wasn’t kidding about the killer first chapter, either. It has an almost folktale vibe, and it’s probably one of the best first chapters I’ve ever read.
The only thing keeping it from full marks for me was the slight lack of emotional draw. I could have FELT more, especially with the relationship between the divinity student and his girl. The foundations were laid, but the construction was a little haphazard in that respect.
All in all, this book really embodies the “new weird” in a way similar to OG Vandermeer or Mieville. The influence of Borges is also very apparent. I’m so interested to read more of Cisco’s stuff!
This book is very short—novella length, but I would suggest really taking your time and savoring it. For one, Cisco has tons of detailed imagery and beautiful language. Some might find it heavy-handed, but the book is so short that I have no complaints. The ideas presented in this book are both novel and utterly fascinating. Ann Vandermeer wasn’t kidding about the killer first chapter, either. It has an almost folktale vibe, and it’s probably one of the best first chapters I’ve ever read.
The only thing keeping it from full marks for me was the slight lack of emotional draw. I could have FELT more, especially with the relationship between the divinity student and his girl. The foundations were laid, but the construction was a little haphazard in that respect.
All in all, this book really embodies the “new weird” in a way similar to OG Vandermeer or Mieville. The influence of Borges is also very apparent. I’m so interested to read more of Cisco’s stuff!
Content Warnings
Corpse chop chop formaldehyde fumes