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The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (Wordsworth Classics) (Wordsworth Classics)
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Intelligent, complex, unusual, and ahead of its time
Review date: 2007-12-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
After a slightly laborious beginning this turns into a stunningly clever novel. It tells the first half of the story from the point of view of 'the Editor', a man who is attempting to piece together an event that happened many years earlier- then the same events, and further events, as told from the personal diary of Robert Wringhim who in the first section had been 'the bad guy', but who in his own words is now distinctly ambiguous. Finally the tale is wrapped up in a 'present day' account of how 'the Editor' came into possession of the manuscript that he is publishing, accompanied by an incredible twist.
The novel deals intelligently with the idea of pre-destination and. In parts it treads the same path as the classic fale of Faust selling his soul to the Devil, in other places it seems to be dealing with schizophrenia, a century before it was medically identified.
The introduction to this Wordsworth Classic edition from David Blair is excellent too. Although placed at the front of the book, it is written in two parts, the first part to be read before the novel, which sets the scene in terms of Scottish politics of the day in which the novel is set, the second part to be read afterwards and which discusses the themes and conclusion and in my case provoked some ideas and twists I hadn't thought of.
Definitely worth a read and far superior to many other 19th century novels that are today considered 'classics'.
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Reviews
Hard going
Review date: 2007-03-05 Rating: 6 out of 10
As others have said - possibly a great and important book at the time but it is not a great read. Partly because of the language used, partly because the 'editors note' at the start tells you all the main events, you then get told them again at greater length by the narator. You know what is coming. Another problem is what are we supposed to make of Robert Wringhams account, and of his shape changing 'friend' Gil-Martin. Is Robert mad, or Gil-Martin the devil. A modern reader may tend to assume the former, but I think in fact it it is the later.
All in all combined with heavy use of old Scots it get very confusing, and hard going - a short book that felt like a very long one.
Examination of a fundamentalist mind
Review date: 2006-10-31 Rating: 6 out of 10
This is one of the single best books about fundamnentalist thinking there is, it focuses upon the ideas predestination and justification in the Christian tradition, which still have some currency among Christian evangelists the world over but essentially the same blind conviction is at the heart of every so called "martyrdom" bombing.
I have only given it three stars because it may not be the easiest book to read, its not the greatest page turner but its a great book in dealing with its subject matter.
An absolute must for anyone who's argued with fundamentalist believers, I would also recommend it to people of faith who are unafraid of searching questions about their convictions.
Pure Brilliance
Review date: 2006-10-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
Like most people i stumbled accross this book without any real knowledge on the author and the book itself.
After reading this book i was simply amazed as to how such a book has not managed to emerge on the public scene with the ferosity as some modern day novels. I read some of the reviews that suggested reading the book in various ways and provided some sort of descritpion as to the meaning etc etc.
JUST READ IT AS THE AUTHOR INTENDED and then take what you want from it. It is such an insightful book.
However, one note of warning, it is written in Old Scots, and as such some of the language may be difficult for some, yet there is a glossary at the end. As a relatively young scotsman, i had trouble with some words, as they are predominantly lothian and east coast. But dont let that put you off, it is well worth it.
It may be great but it's not a great read
Review date: 2006-08-01 Rating: 4 out of 10
I'm not going to argue with all the good points other people make about this book. It's a brilliant idea, and it's fascinating. But as a book, it's got some drawbacks.
1. It's not exactly a page-turner. The structure means you are reading the same events over twice, once told by the editor, and once by the narrator. You know how they turn out, so for a large part of the book, you are (or I was) thinking "get on with it!"
2. The narrator is a dick. This could be an interesting device, but the chilling seral killer Wringhim is a Mr Pooter, who doesn't know how ludicrous he is. Sometimes Hogg goes for comedy (when Wringhim says "I am the sword of the Lord and pestilence is my sister" to his jailors) but mostly he falls between two stools.
3. Because the theological points aren't that great either. OK, justification and predestination are dangerous ideas. We get the picture.
The history of the book's unpopularity and popularity is interesting. It fell out of favour, and came back in a big way since the 1940s. I think it's due to slump again, as we start to see it as a sort of Frankenstein-esque fable, that's a bit heavy on the moralising.
Product Details/Specifications
Authors:
James Hogg
Recording label: Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Manufacturer: Wordsworth Editions Ltd
EAN: 9781853261886
Binding: Paperback
Dewey decimal number: 813
ISBN: 1853261882
Number of pages: 224
Publication date: 1997-02-01
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Published)