Official Review: God Metaphor by John Carey
Posted: 04 Oct 2014, 21:48
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "God Metaphor" by John Carey.]
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John Carey’s The God Metaphor is a well and strongly written attack on religion. The reader follows the author, God, and a drunkard as they have their own experiences and as those experiences cross over one another. It is a book that is difficult to describe because the story itself does not move much, but the way it is written gives you a beautifully clear picture of how the author feels about his characters, about religion, and about life.
The book opens with a tarot reading. During the course of the book, the author employs a variety of techniques and strategies. He quotes himself. He makes great allusions to mythology and literature. He speaks directly to the reader, and he switches between points of view. His character wakes up after a night of debauchery in a stranger’s apartment. His God is chained to a desk. His narrator knows exactly what he is doing, orchestrating these lives in his hands.
The writing is technically sound. The author masters elements like grammar, spelling, and punctuation. His word choice is excellent, and he creates vivid images with his descriptions. He creates a meta-metaphor, a metaphor about metaphors. There are both extended and succinct multiple metaphors all working together to create something larger.
The author describes his own book as self-centered, and he does not disappoint. Some readers may find his writing pretentious and pompous. However, I was reminded of Henry Miller and Charles Bukowski. Be prepared to think as you read. You are probably going to want to be beside your computer while reading this book. To fully understand all the allusions, I had to stop periodically to look some things up. I like a book that makes me think and stretch, though, so I didn't mind the interruptions.
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a book to make them think. It might also be good for an intellectually-leaning book club, as it is a book in want of being discussed. It is an excellent example of how to craft a metaphor and how to create a visual for your reader by just using the right words.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. There was little about this book that I didn’t like. The writing was engaging, and the author’s attention to detail painted an artful picture. It makes the reader think and helps you expand your knowledge and view of the world. The work is eloquent and the author, though he may be egocentric, knows how to convey his thoughts with a touch of humor and gravity.
***
Buy "God Metaphor" on Amazon
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The book opens with a tarot reading. During the course of the book, the author employs a variety of techniques and strategies. He quotes himself. He makes great allusions to mythology and literature. He speaks directly to the reader, and he switches between points of view. His character wakes up after a night of debauchery in a stranger’s apartment. His God is chained to a desk. His narrator knows exactly what he is doing, orchestrating these lives in his hands.
The writing is technically sound. The author masters elements like grammar, spelling, and punctuation. His word choice is excellent, and he creates vivid images with his descriptions. He creates a meta-metaphor, a metaphor about metaphors. There are both extended and succinct multiple metaphors all working together to create something larger.
The author describes his own book as self-centered, and he does not disappoint. Some readers may find his writing pretentious and pompous. However, I was reminded of Henry Miller and Charles Bukowski. Be prepared to think as you read. You are probably going to want to be beside your computer while reading this book. To fully understand all the allusions, I had to stop periodically to look some things up. I like a book that makes me think and stretch, though, so I didn't mind the interruptions.
I would recommend this book to someone looking for a book to make them think. It might also be good for an intellectually-leaning book club, as it is a book in want of being discussed. It is an excellent example of how to craft a metaphor and how to create a visual for your reader by just using the right words.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. There was little about this book that I didn’t like. The writing was engaging, and the author’s attention to detail painted an artful picture. It makes the reader think and helps you expand your knowledge and view of the world. The work is eloquent and the author, though he may be egocentric, knows how to convey his thoughts with a touch of humor and gravity.
***
Buy "God Metaphor" on Amazon
Great review, by the way!