0
Jul232009
BOOK REVIEW: ‘Angels of Destruction’ by Keith Donohue
by Carolyn • Posted in 3.5 Star Reviews, Authors I-L, Book Reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Jonathan Cape, Reviews by Carolyn
Title: Angels of Destruction
Author: Keith Donohue
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Publication Date: 2nd July 2009
Paperpack: 347 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Fantasy
Source: Review Copy
Reviewed by: Carolyn
RATING: 7/10
AMAZON SUMMARY:
“Angels of Destruction” is the mesmerising story of Norah, a nine-year-old girl who seems to materialize out of thin air when she arrives one bitterly cold night on the doorstep of Margaret Quinn. A widow who lives alone, Margaret has never got over the loss of her own child, a runaway named Erica who fled with her high school sweetheart, Wiley, to join a ’60s-style band of West Coast revolutionaries known as the Angels of Destruction. Norah becomes Margaret’s secret, a child possessed of magical qualities. But who is she really? And what is her purpose on earth? And what is this strange child’s connection to Margaret’s missing daughter?
Beautifully written with a sensibility that skirts a fine line between the real and the imagined, the fantastic and the hoped for, “Angels of Destruction” is an unforgettable story about hope and fear, heartbreak and redemption. It more than confirms the promise of Keith Donohue’s highly praised first novel, “The Stolen Child’.
REVIEW:
When I first received this book to review, I read the synopsis and thought it was going to be about fantasy and magic, but what I got was so much more.
The story begins in 1985. One bitterly cold night, Margaret quinn, a widow, who lives alone and still mourns the loss of her child; a daughter, who ran away a decade earlier with the boy that she loved, opens the door to find Norah, a small bespectacled girl, frozen and shivering with a battered suitcase leaning against her legs. Margaret takes the girl in, but who is she and what is her purpose?
The second part of the book flashes back to 1975 and tells the story of Erica, Margaret’s child, and Wiley, a boy who is obsessed with the Angels of Destruction, a group of radicals, and decides to join their revolution. It reveals how love is at times blind and how it can sweep you along with things you have no control over. Part three returns to 1985 and is about forgiveness and hope. The two parts preceding are now entwined and come together in conclusion.
This book is expertly written. There is fantasy and magic, but it’s subtle and weaves its way through the story leading the reader to believe, without question. However, for me, the story was more about love and loss, grief and forgiveness. It is haunting and melancholy without sentimentality. The mystery behind Norah, Una and the man in the camel-haired coat is never really revealed, but the hint of angels influences us in who we believe them to be. The true essence of the story does have an ending, which is very moving.
VERDICT:
This is not a quick read, but then I wouldn’t want it to be. The story demands the pace to be slow to coincide with the sorrowful atmosphere. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Your can find out more about the author and his books here:
If you would like to purchase Angels of Destruction, click HERE
