- Paperback: 312 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Australia (2009)
- ISBN-10: 0141045612
- ISBN-13: 978-0141045610
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
And the Ass Saw the Angel
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Knowing Cave's music well, it is perhaps not suprising that he would write a novel about imbreeds, murder, filth, religion, not to mention some of the most unusual narrative language one can find. I love this book, partly, I suppose, because it appeals to that undesirable aspect of everyone's nature that hungers for the grotesque and bestial. However, if this was all it satisfied, I would soon disregard it as gutter literature, there is a subtle and beautiful voice screaming through the vulgar exterior of the words. On the surface, it would appear that Cave is illustrating a damning perspective of Christianity - false profits, brutal extremism and insane fanatasism - but the occassional change in narration allow the reader to glimpse a faint enlightenment, made clearer through its juxtaposition with the external world of our narrator. I see it as an allegory for much of the human situation, exaggerating the dangers of blind faith but also warning against irrational rebellion. Even if you get nothing from analysis of this book (as you may see, I have great trouble articulating my thoughts), then read purely for the poetical descriptions and powerful characterisation. I assure you, you will go through at least eight contrasting emotions as you journey through it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cave's obsession with all things grotesque could have led to this book becoming a vile carnival of obscenity. However, in the story of Euchrid Eucrow, the product of generations of inbreeding and hard drinking, we discover a refined literary talent. As Euchrid, vilified social outcast, is persecuted by his community, his delicate soul cries out from amidst the circus of hypocrisy betraying sensitivity well-disguised. A poignant and tragic tale, it delivers indictments of religious pomposity in prose poetry bordering on the bombastic.
Cave has writen a prose version of his Murder Ballads, bleak ending and generally unpalatable characters all present and correct. It's fantastic fiction.
Cave has writen a prose version of his Murder Ballads, bleak ending and generally unpalatable characters all present and correct. It's fantastic fiction.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read the reviews for this book whilst deciding whether to buy it or not and am certainly very glad that I took their positive advice. In short, the language used throughout the book is unbelievably descriptive and poetical (not surprising given the author) and it is worth buying this book simply to submerge yourself in the incredible flowing imagery that it conjures. Sometimes you have to sit for a while to fully grasp the imagery of one sentence. However, do not think that its poetry indicates a beautiful love story - it has a darker side too.
Some of the very real descriptions of Euchrid, a deformed, slightly mad, product of incest, mute and the incredulous happenings that befall him in his small town are graphically real. The biblical edge provided by the narrative makes it even the more sinister. I cared for Euchrid but was repulsed by him too, and from what I can gather, I am sure he would not have cared for me either. This book is a very refreshing read. The beauty of it's narrative is contradicted by the regular flashes of grotesqueness within it's content. It certainly moved me and hung in my mind for hours whenever I stopped reading.
I certainly recommend that this book be read by anyone wishing to experience a truly absorbing book from an immense talent . I had to read in every spare minute (occasionally through covered eyes) until it was finished. An incredible piece of work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
and the ass saw the angel
I would love to review this book, but am yet to receive it, really hope it arrives soon! I have already read the book years ago, but wish to read it again
Published 1 month ago by meg
Original, disappointing and unpleasant
I really didn't enjoy this at all. I really liked 'The Death of Bunny Munro' and have always found Nick Cave kind of interesting, so I approached this book expecting a good read. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Anna
Dark, twisted, and brilliant
To anyone familiar with Nick Cave's lyrics, it should come as no surprise that his book is dark, twisted, and absolutely brilliant. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Z de MC
A Dark Little Gem
This is a book i'v wanted to read for some time and I have to say that i was not disapointed. Much like this great singer/song writers lyrics this book is both buitiful and dark. Read more
Published 18 months ago by TheReader
nick cave- what you see is what you get
mr cave has a morbid sex appeal that doesn't come off in writing
the audio book works better then the written word
he is all about presence
if you like him, you will... Read more
the audio book works better then the written word
he is all about presence
if you like him, you will... Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by Ruth D. Turner
A Classic
Grotesque content, beautifully crafted. Cave's language is unique in its combination of styles - echoes of Arthur Miller, Dylan Thomas and Poe. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by G. D. Postle
I've never met anyone who has actually read the whole of this book
Amazing that folk are writing excellent reviews when in actual fact the book is unreadable. NC may be a god like genius BUT .....
Published on 22 Sep 2009 by Donna Green
Troubling, for the modern day not least
This is a chilling book, one I admit I had to stop reading for some time it left me so disturbed. Then I returned to it. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2008 by M.I.
Dark Humor, Dark Book, Not for the Faint of Heart
Euchrid Eucrow, a mute born to an abusive mother and a father obsessed with animal torture, is an outcast in a valley of conservative religious zealots. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2008 by Laurel Whitehead
If He Writes Another Novel, It'll Be Great
Oh, I so hope Nick Cave continues to write, because he is a great storyteller. But he better get a better editor. Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2004 by Joseph Ornstein
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