And the Ass Saw the Angel: Amazon.co.uk: Nick Cave: Books

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16 Reviews

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4.5 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)

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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound insight rising form the pit of human depravity., 28 Feb 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: And the Ass Saw the Angel (Essential Penguin) (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.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel of breathtaking beauty, 17 Aug 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: And the Ass Saw the Angel (Paperback)

'And The Ass Saw The Angel' proves that not only is Nick Cave's music among the most beautiful you have ever experienced his writing is world class aswell. I first heard about this book after I purchased one of Nick Cave's albums. Though I presumed it would be just another one of those books through which musicians try to make a little more money I thought that I would give it a chance. It has to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Nick Cave's story of a mute child growing up in the deep South of America is possibly the greatest novel wriiten in the last 50 years. Disturbing yet beautiful, tragic yet heart-warming it is a tale that will rip your heart into a million pieces and atart building it all over again. The way in which Cave describes Euchrid you wouldn't be insane to think that they were the same person. The books climax is one you'll never forget. Believe me it deserves 6 stars!

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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strange and classical in a literary way, 1 Jul 2003

By	J. Snape "snap69" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: And the Ass Saw the Angel (Essential Penguin) (Paperback)

This could have been written by Faulkner, Joyce et al. It's written in an early 20th century classical litereary style that evidently displays Cave's obvious talent and intelligence.

The story revolves around an ostracised boy who lives in kind of rubbish dump, akin to Stig of the Dump. He's pilloried by the locals for his apparent lack of intellect and disability. The locals in question inhabit a staunchly religious presbyterian town full of it's own foibles and strange characters, none of which will be too unfamiliar.

The dichotomy presented is extremely poignant - a holier than thou community that persecutes a pathetic, disadvantaged boy.

The prose is florid and overblown; sometimes you can almost hear it being read out by a strongly accented southern preacher, but it works.

The story builds to a truly tragic ending that simultaneously is uplifting as well.

A very accomplished book that wouldn't be out of place on the reading list of an English degree.

On the evidence of this Australia has an author who could, if he wanted, stand toe to toe with some of the other contemporary greats.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars 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 18 months ago by Katie Osborne

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark poetry
Cave's obsession with all things grotesque could have led to this book becoming a vile carnival of obscenity. Read more

Published on 10 Jan 2007 by Madly Bobbington-Blythe

2.0 out of 5 stars 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 mandolajoe2

4.0 out of 5 stars An incredible book, must read but be prepared!
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. Read more

Published on 6 Feb 2002 by nat@barrichello.com

5.0 out of 5 stars beauty
...I finished the book five months ago, it took me an age to read. That though was due to my wanting to last out every page, and create a separate world in my head where the noval... Read more

Published on 4 Jun 2001

4.0 out of 5 stars Beauty disfigured is beautiful
I think that Nick Cave is very beautiful and this book is about things so ugly that they are beautiful. He writes of religion and incest in insect-infested dark lands. Read more

Published on 27 April 2001 by best_dress@hotmail.com

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the true original voices in literature
It's a very rare occurance when you can actually truthfully state that a book has an original style, but this is the exception to the rule. Read more

Published on 20 Nov 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars deeper than deep
i bought this book way back in october 1999, i'm still reading it now. No, not for the third or forth time, i'm still reading on the first time. Read more

Published on 16 Jun 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent darkness...
Picture a town full of religious fanatics, a world of sordid secrets, and a mute, beautiful through his ugliness, and you will get a small idea of Nick Cave's masterpiece. Read more

Published on 29 May 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars incredible!
this book is the best i've ever read, and no i'm not overdoing it now.i read this book in two days...and then i read it again. Read more

Published on 18 April 2000

› See all 16 customer reviews...

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	93% buy the item featured on this page: And the Ass Saw the Angel 4.5 out of 5 stars (16)
	2% buy Bad Seed: Biography of Nick Cave 4.0 out of 5 stars (3) �6.99
	2% buy Let Love In 5.0 out of 5 stars (12) �3.98
	2% buy Complete Lyrics 5.0 out of 5 stars (2) �8.44


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