“All history is just one man trying to take something away from another man, and usually it doesn't really belong to either of them.”

3 1/2 stars. Very nearly 4 but the strong start peters out a little, with the second half of the book losing momentum (I got to a point where I was reading just to finish).

[b:The Gargoyle|2595138|The Gargoyle|Andrew Davidson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368598513s/2595138.jpg|3149511]'s prose bursts onto the pages in a blazing sea of fire. The book opens with detailed description of the accident that disfigures the unnamed narrator, with a beautiful, horrific break down of the accident itself, and the subsequent medical procedures he must undergo to recover. A former porn star and now beyond recognition, the narrator takes us on a journey into his own past, into his future and recovery, and into medieval Germany.

For at least half of the book, I was completely hooked. Some parts of the story are slow, and yet the prose is dynamic and exciting enough to carry you through. It's extremely gritty, and the protagonist is exactly the kind I like: cynical, sarcastic, and with a somewhat nihilistic view of the world. His narrative charisma is so very compelling.

While recovering in the hospital, the narrator becomes addicted to morphine and even more addicted to misery, plotting his own suicide in graphic detail. That is - until Marianne Engel appears in his room. Marianne is undoubtedly strange, and he suspects that she is either suffering from manic depression or schizophrenia. Because the things she tells him cannot possibly be true.

Among her tales of love stories, she also reveals that they have a "past". Once upon a time in fourteenth-century Germany, they were lovers. Ludicrous as this obviously is, the protagonist is drawn into her tales, finding new reason to live from her companionship, whilst also being concerned for her mental health.

Both the present day recovery and the historical elements are fascinating. The writing is lush and vivid, weaving a modern day tale of tragedy and romance with history and the suggestion of fantasy. Unfortunately, the novel begins to slow down when we leave the hospital and the later chapters lacked some of the earlier magic.

Despite this, I still have to recommend it. For me, it's just a fine example of really great writing and genre crossovers being done well. It's a love story that should suit romantics and non-romantics alike - with plenty of history, gore and social commentary, there's something for almost everyone in here.

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