Synopsis (from Amazon.com):
A
wondrous and redemptive debut novel, set in a stark world where evil
and magic coincide, The Enchanted combines the empathy and lyricism of
Alice Sebold with the dark, imaginative power of Stephen King.
"This is an enchanted place. Others don’t see it, but I do." The enchanted place is an ancient stone prison, viewed through the eyes of a death row inmate who finds escape in his books and in re-imagining life around him, weaving a fantastical story of the people he observes and the world he inhabits. Fearful and reclusive, he senses what others cannot. Though bars confine him every minute of every day, he marries visions of golden horses running beneath the prison, heat flowing like molten metal from their backs with the devastating violence of prison life.
Two outsiders venture here: a fallen priest and the Lady, an investigator who searches for buried information from prisoners’ pasts that can save those soon-to-be-executed. Digging into the background of a killer named York, she uncovers wrenching truths that challenge familiar notions of victim and criminal, innocence and guilt, honesty and corruption—ultimately revealing shocking secrets of her own.
Beautiful and transcendent, The Enchanted reminds us of how our humanity connects us all, and how beauty and love exist even amidst the most nightmarish reality.
"This is an enchanted place. Others don’t see it, but I do." The enchanted place is an ancient stone prison, viewed through the eyes of a death row inmate who finds escape in his books and in re-imagining life around him, weaving a fantastical story of the people he observes and the world he inhabits. Fearful and reclusive, he senses what others cannot. Though bars confine him every minute of every day, he marries visions of golden horses running beneath the prison, heat flowing like molten metal from their backs with the devastating violence of prison life.
Two outsiders venture here: a fallen priest and the Lady, an investigator who searches for buried information from prisoners’ pasts that can save those soon-to-be-executed. Digging into the background of a killer named York, she uncovers wrenching truths that challenge familiar notions of victim and criminal, innocence and guilt, honesty and corruption—ultimately revealing shocking secrets of her own.
Beautiful and transcendent, The Enchanted reminds us of how our humanity connects us all, and how beauty and love exist even amidst the most nightmarish reality.
My Thoughts:
First off, if that description doesn't get you, I don't know what will! The way this story was told was so interesting. I think it was a mixture of the story itself the absolutely beautiful writing!
While
the book is set in a prison and tells about the people and the things
that happen there, it is unlike anything I've ever read. A good friend
of mine (the one who recommended the book) said something to the effect
of: "It's a prison story - it's sad and horrendous, but it's also so
beautiful."
It's a really short book, about 200 pages or so, and the way that it is written and the way the story flows makes for a really quick read. I loved the story, but the writing alone is worth reading this book!
Currently Reading/Upcoming Reviews:
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
It's a really short book, about 200 pages or so, and the way that it is written and the way the story flows makes for a really quick read. I loved the story, but the writing alone is worth reading this book!
Currently Reading/Upcoming Reviews:
Written in Red by Anne Bishop
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
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