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winterreader40's review against another edition
4.5
The narrator of this tale is never named, but we follow his journey from his intoxicated drive home one night where he veers off a cliff because he thinks he's dodging flaming arrows, through the accident itself as it almost claims his life, but instead leaves him in a burned body with various missing appendages, effectively ending his porn career.
He spends almost a year recovering in the hospital undergoing various surgeries and planning his suicide as soon as he's released until he meets Marianne, a psyche ward patient, who begins telling him the story of their life together in medieval Germany.
This whole story was fascinating, everything from the burn treatments, his addiction issues, the stories Marianne tells him Scheherazade style about their previous life and a few standalone true love tales, to her own "diagnosis" as investigated by the narrator, to the grotesques she carves in order to give away her hearts so that she may finally rest when she gives away her last one.
He spends almost a year recovering in the hospital undergoing various surgeries and planning his suicide as soon as he's released until he meets Marianne, a psyche ward patient, who begins telling him the story of their life together in medieval Germany.
This whole story was fascinating, everything from the burn treatments, his addiction issues, the stories Marianne tells him Scheherazade style about their previous life and a few standalone true love tales, to her own "diagnosis" as investigated by the narrator, to the grotesques she carves in order to give away her hearts so that she may finally rest when she gives away her last one.
bovinejoni's review against another edition
3.0
I got mixed feelings after finishing this. Some parts were pretty good and some kind of boring. I really liked all the descriptions about the burns. I almost could feel the pain. I also really liked the protagonists journey through Hell near the end. But I guess those ideas were copied right out of "The Divine Comedy", so I don't want to give Davidson the full credit here.
ouef04's review against another edition
4.0
Good book but made me quite sad at points, only giving it 4 star as I thought some parts lacked within the plot but apart from that it’s good ! X
petersenftleben's review against another edition
2.0
I gave this almost 200 pages to win me over since it has been hyped so much and everyone seems to love it, but I had to give up on it and move on. I thought that the writing was very good, with some vivid images, especially the early one equating the narrator's burn to the pain caused by touching a hot stove--for a full minute. I also, surprisingly, enjoyed some of Marianne's tales of love.
The problem was--okay, one of the problems was--that I found them to be more interesting than her own story. The main issue I had was that there was no real conflict to propel the plot along and I didn't think that the characters were strong enough to carry the story themselves. Yes, there were some details that intrigued me (like the Asian woman whispering to a young Narrator about the origin of his scar, which was completely forgotten in the pages that I was able to get through), and Marianne's assertion that they were lovers did pique my interest a little bit--was she for real or just a looney tune? But the majority of the plot seemed to be about the Narrator's recovery in the burn unit, his rehabilitation and physical therapy, which, granted, was quite thoroughly researched but a little boring after a while. But there were also parts where the author slipped into long, monotonous, detailed description that could have easily been cut. A half page listing all of the foods at the Christmas feast? Seriously?
My second major issue was the characters. I just felt that they were one-dimensional and uninteresting beyond the fact that one is burned and the other thinks they're lovers from 700 years ago. They reminded me of the titular gargoyle: meticulously crafted but ultimately stony and impenetrable and without much substance below the surface. I didn't think that they had any chemistry together, either. In fact, I was more charmed by the crush Gregor had on Mizumoto than I was by the primary romance.
I'm sure there were a ton of literary references and layers upon layers of symbolism in here that I didn't get, which may give it depth, but if I can't muster up the energy to plod along or care about the characters enough to watch them recuperate and court each other, what good is it? Honestly, if this were to have crossed my desk, I would have passed on it.
The problem was--okay, one of the problems was--that I found them to be more interesting than her own story. The main issue I had was that there was no real conflict to propel the plot along and I didn't think that the characters were strong enough to carry the story themselves. Yes, there were some details that intrigued me (like the Asian woman whispering to a young Narrator about the origin of his scar, which was completely forgotten in the pages that I was able to get through), and Marianne's assertion that they were lovers did pique my interest a little bit--was she for real or just a looney tune? But the majority of the plot seemed to be about the Narrator's recovery in the burn unit, his rehabilitation and physical therapy, which, granted, was quite thoroughly researched but a little boring after a while. But there were also parts where the author slipped into long, monotonous, detailed description that could have easily been cut. A half page listing all of the foods at the Christmas feast? Seriously?
My second major issue was the characters. I just felt that they were one-dimensional and uninteresting beyond the fact that one is burned and the other thinks they're lovers from 700 years ago. They reminded me of the titular gargoyle: meticulously crafted but ultimately stony and impenetrable and without much substance below the surface. I didn't think that they had any chemistry together, either. In fact, I was more charmed by the crush Gregor had on Mizumoto than I was by the primary romance.
I'm sure there were a ton of literary references and layers upon layers of symbolism in here that I didn't get, which may give it depth, but if I can't muster up the energy to plod along or care about the characters enough to watch them recuperate and court each other, what good is it? Honestly, if this were to have crossed my desk, I would have passed on it.
henrypawsworth's review against another edition
5.0
“Love is as strong as death, as hard as Hell.” This arresting quote opens an astounding story of damnation, redemption, and most of all, a love that transcends time. The story begins with the near-fatal accident of the narrator. He is a porn star, high on drugs and alcohol, the embodiment of a modern misanthrope. The accident leaves him with burns covering most of his body. His life until this had been meaningless; when he awakens in the burn unit of a hospital he feels himself as much a monster in form as in spirit. The only thought that consoles him is planning the perfect suicide. Into this setting of utter perdition walks Marianne Engel, a beautiful, successful sculptress and schizophrenic currently a patient in the hospital’s psych ward. If all this isn’t implausible enough, Marianne proceeds to reveal that she and the narrator were lovers, 700 years ago, in medieval Germany. And yet, with Marianne’s incredible but compelling stories come belief—in life and love that unquestionably conquers all. If you like quirky historical fiction a la Umberto Eco (The Name of the Rose) and Patrick Susskind (Perfume) this is your next great read.
tmeysenburg's review against another edition
4.0
So far I really like this! About 25% through. This is my second Kindle book on my phone, which is awesome! I"m not sure I'll ever buy paper again! (Well, maybe picture books...)
amberhayward's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book would be like The DaVinci Code: fun but not great. Something good for the airport or sitting on the porch. But I think it actually was great. It starts out OK- it holds your interest but it's nothing special until Marianne Engel shows up (which I guess is the point). I appreciated its tone and pacing and unevenness as it mirrors the narrator's journey and the romantic mushy bits really hit me hard. You can tell the book was well-researched and is thorough without being ham-fisted with historical facts. The Gargoyle kept me guessing more than the thriller-type books I've picked up recently. It's mysterious and charming and sweet and funny and good and I feel like that even though I really liked it, there is even a deeper layer that I'm missing.
ianthereader0's review against another edition
4.0
4.25⭐️
Featured in my Blind Date with a Book Reading Vlog:
https://youtu.be/0qnmWKYZois
Featured in my Blind Date with a Book Reading Vlog:
https://youtu.be/0qnmWKYZois