BOOK REVIEW - A Twisted Ladder (Novel)
Mike
978-0-7653-2373-6 Paperback
540 pages $14.99 (U.S.)
I was browsing through a listing of books being offered by one of the
book clubs I belong to when I saw the advertisement for this book.
I�m a sucker for mainstream fiction with an occult twist. And, with my
wife�s family having Louisiana roots, how could I pass up this
offering of �A scientist pits herself against Louisiana black
magic.�? So I got a copy and eagerly dove into its depths (and at 540
pages, there are depths to be explored).
Like all good mystery novels, this one includes a wealth of detail,
some of which is apparently irrelevant in the overall scheme of things
(but you�re never quite sure which bits those might be), but which
fills in a great deal of background regarding backgrounds and
personalities. Plus, you are never quite sure which apparently minor
fact may have major important later in the story. It keeps you on
your toes.
The emphasis on this book is not on magick, per se, but rather on the
effects the mind can produce through generations and under trying
circumstances. It raises the question of what divides magick from
pathological/psychological states, and how easy it can be to cross
those dividing lines. It is a tightly-written love story � the love
of an individual for their family and their heritage. Ms. Hawk�s love
of the South is apparent throughout this work, and that makes it all
the more poignant.
For those readers looking for a tale of magick, disappointment awaits
I am sorry to say. For those looking for a story which examines the,
at times, dark world of the human mind there is more. And for the
reader who is looking for a compelling story and who isn�t afraid to
step off the well-trod path, this book is a joy.
I could truthfully say that this book wasn�t what I was expecting.
But I would also have to say that I wasn�t sure what to expect when I
picked it up. Like many readers, I am sometimes inspired to pick up a
book on impulse, almost at random, and without a great deal of prior
consideration. I am glad I yielded to impulse this time around.
It is possible that there could be a sequel to this work � the
openings have been left and there are some still unresolved issues.
Regardless whether such a sequel is planned (or even appears), this
book is a satisfying read all by itself. There are some mildly adult
(erotic) scenes, so I wouldn�t recommend it for the teen market
(although there is nothing too graphic, so it isn�t offensive).
Overall, this was an enjoyable, albeit occasionally disturbing, book.
Look for it at your local bookstore or on-line distributor.