Official Review: The Edge of the Volcano by Michel Gauthier
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Official Review: The Edge of the Volcano by Michel Gauthier
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Edge of the Volcano" by Michel Gauthier.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Trained as a construction engineer, Michel Gauthier’s profession allowed him to travel the world and his latest book of short stories, The Edge of the Volcano, draws heavily upon his international experiences. The book is divided into four sections – Africa, Arabia, Europe, Asia – with several narratives in each, described as “true stories and tales that could be true.” While I believe the first account is actually true, it is difficult to know how much of the others are “real.”
The stories cover a range of styles and emotions, some expressing longing, the search for meaning, nostalgia; others with violent, dramatic, or erotic tones. More specifically, there were tales about: the main character joining rebel forces in the Congo for a short mission, a shady business deal originating in Saudi Arabia involving duplicitous international players, a search for meaning in Tibet wherein two old men – a monk and a foreigner – talk candidly, and a young boy’s discovery of an ancient slate quarry (in the Belgian countryside?) In contrast, there are two brief, imaginative accounts of history. In one, Qaddafi, with the help of his wife, is fleeing an uprising. In the other, we hear an inner monologue given by a rationalizing Pol Pot.
How did I like the book? I found the stories that were introspective to be the most successful. In my opinion, the first, “ Slaying Dragons,” was the best. What made it more effective than the others was its thought-provoking and mysterious introduction, which was complimented by its connection to an emotional concluding paragraph. The body was suspenseful, but not overdone. It was the most authentic and heartfelt in the collection. For me, the rest of the tales were not impactful enough. Many left me feeling flat, yearning for more profundity or at least some sort of crescendo. And the few that involved romance were far too “cheesy” with lines like, “Her perfume was slowly setting in my head and, shall I say, other parts of my body.” Those I liked least. They felt out of place with the rest.
Considering the book as a whole, there didn’t seem to be enough cohesiveness. While the selections for each section shared the commonality of all taking place in that region, some came across as totally arbitrary. To its credit, “Africa” was woven with a common thread, whereas the others, most notably “Europe,” felt disjoint.
If I were to rate The Edge of the Volcano after reading the first story, I would have given it a 3. As it stands, I will have to give it 2 out of 4 stars for the reasons aforementioned.
******
The Edge of the Volcano
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2 out of 4 stars
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Trained as a construction engineer, Michel Gauthier’s profession allowed him to travel the world and his latest book of short stories, The Edge of the Volcano, draws heavily upon his international experiences. The book is divided into four sections – Africa, Arabia, Europe, Asia – with several narratives in each, described as “true stories and tales that could be true.” While I believe the first account is actually true, it is difficult to know how much of the others are “real.”
The stories cover a range of styles and emotions, some expressing longing, the search for meaning, nostalgia; others with violent, dramatic, or erotic tones. More specifically, there were tales about: the main character joining rebel forces in the Congo for a short mission, a shady business deal originating in Saudi Arabia involving duplicitous international players, a search for meaning in Tibet wherein two old men – a monk and a foreigner – talk candidly, and a young boy’s discovery of an ancient slate quarry (in the Belgian countryside?) In contrast, there are two brief, imaginative accounts of history. In one, Qaddafi, with the help of his wife, is fleeing an uprising. In the other, we hear an inner monologue given by a rationalizing Pol Pot.
How did I like the book? I found the stories that were introspective to be the most successful. In my opinion, the first, “ Slaying Dragons,” was the best. What made it more effective than the others was its thought-provoking and mysterious introduction, which was complimented by its connection to an emotional concluding paragraph. The body was suspenseful, but not overdone. It was the most authentic and heartfelt in the collection. For me, the rest of the tales were not impactful enough. Many left me feeling flat, yearning for more profundity or at least some sort of crescendo. And the few that involved romance were far too “cheesy” with lines like, “Her perfume was slowly setting in my head and, shall I say, other parts of my body.” Those I liked least. They felt out of place with the rest.
Considering the book as a whole, there didn’t seem to be enough cohesiveness. While the selections for each section shared the commonality of all taking place in that region, some came across as totally arbitrary. To its credit, “Africa” was woven with a common thread, whereas the others, most notably “Europe,” felt disjoint.
If I were to rate The Edge of the Volcano after reading the first story, I would have given it a 3. As it stands, I will have to give it 2 out of 4 stars for the reasons aforementioned.
******
The Edge of the Volcano
View: on Bookshelves
Like pyb's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "God, Red Shoes and Chocolate Pudding" by Hayley Hart
