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Product Description

Observer

‘Compelling novel’

The Times

'Fascinating'

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Customer Reviews

72 Reviews

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(7)

Average Customer Review

3.4 out of 5 stars (72 customer reviews)

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34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but about 200 pages too long!, 7 Feb 2006

By	Joanne Schofield (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Human Traces (Hardcover)

Unfortunately I have to agree with the comments from the reviewer below - far too much detail. I started Human Traces eagerly and found it to be very interesting, particularly the descriptions of typical mental asylums in the 19th Century. But…. after about 200 pages my interest started to wane. I don’t wish to do the author a disservice as the time and effort Faulks has spent researching psychiatry is clearly evident and incredibly impressive, however I picked this book from the shelf thinking it was going to be an interesting (and, knowing Faulks, possibly thought provoking) work of fiction, not a dissertation on the history of mental illness. But unfortunately that’s what it turned out to be. At certain points Faulks literally transcribes speeches and lectures from the characters regarding their thoughts on psychiatry; one of which lasts for 22 pages!

Aside from that, I did enjoy the plot and enjoyed seeing how life treated Jacques and Thomas over the years. Ultimately this is a very interesting book and I’m sure those who have a particular interest in the field of neurology and psychology would hugely enjoy this book, but it was just too didactic for my liking.

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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What Human Traces?, 26 Aug 2006

By	fruit shoot "chris" (Northwest England) - See all my reviews

What a dry and humourlesss book!

Like others,I approached the book as a ready convert. I had read 'Birdsong' convinced we had a developing master of the English language on our hands, and I went on to read 'On Green Dolphin Street' and others with great enjoyment

I entered this tome with great anticipation only to find myself alone and frustrated in a world peopled by characters retrieved from Arthur Conan-Doyle's waste paper basket. Every character in the book was, effecively, Dr Watson, or Dr Watson with a foreign accent; even the women!

There were so many stiff upper lips in this book that I feel sure this is the area of medicine which the two protagonists should have entered. Instead, they missed their calling and forged doggedly ahead in their careers as 19th Century Psychiatrists or "Mad Doctors" as they called it. Good for them!I just don't see what it has got to do with me

I can see that Sebastian Faulks does feel very strongly about the themes in this book, but the exploration of the meaning of life and what it is to be human is a bit ambitious even for him. Anyway, his project enters the realms of the surreal when he chooses as his voices in this ultimate debate two florid, emotionally constipated victorian doctors who seem to speak every European language except English. There are interminable pages of scientific waffling couched in pseudo Victorian language where the characters feel obliged to end each contribution with: "...is it not", "...would it not" or "...sir".
You can almost see them twiddling their moustaches as they speak.

In fact the book does feature a couple of Non-Watsonian characters but these are just as thinly sketched: The Victorian Villain puts in an early appearance, and The Femme Fatale a late one; both are shunted in and out like guest stars in a US sit-com

This is a book of hugely ambitious scope which falls way, way short - One Star for his tenacity in sticking it out for 600 pages!

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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most wonderful book I have read for a long time, 18 Dec 2006

By	Lucy S. Hamilton "loose-moose" (Scotland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was recommended to me, but before I started reading it I foolishly read some of the reviews on Amazon. This put me off starting it and then while I was reading it I kept waiting for it to become hard going or boring. It never did. I will say as others have said that sometimes the text and ideas are hard to follow and need reading over a couple of times, but these sections only last a few pages and soon you are back reading the beautiful family saga which the book ultimately is.

Sebastian Faulks has taken his obvious interest in the thoughts and philosophies of humans and woven them into a deeply human and touching story. I loved all the characters and cared for them. It was one of those books which I couldn't wait to get to bed to read and woke up early in the morning to see what would happen next.

It explores what it means to be human which although set in the past is very relevant to today. It gives insight into scientific research and the ways that new ideas are put forward then discounted or fall out of fashion. It made me realise that we are still a long long way from understanding the human mind one hundred years later.

I thought the ending was perfect and very satisfying. An incredibly rewarding book which makes you marvel at the skill of the writer.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
I had difficulty believing that this book was written by the same person who wrote Birdsong and Engleby. The latter was a brilliant portrayal of the mind of a psychopath. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Lce

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and enjoyable novel
I did not want this book to end, I enjoyed it so much. I do not agree with the reviewer who found it too long. It was very well researched and brilliantly written. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Z. M. Snarey

4.0 out of 5 stars Long winded at times, but always beautifully written
When Sebastain Faulks emerses himself in a novel, you can be assured that it will drip with research and will almost be oppressive in the depth of information. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Ripple

4.0 out of 5 stars Human Traces
This is a long drawn out story which might not be to everybody's taste. There is very little plot as such. Read more

Published 3 months ago by R. J. Toothill

2.0 out of 5 stars A trudge
I think that perhaps Mr Faulks was given carte blanche by his publisher to write what he wanted with this one and for it to receive minimal editing. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Nell Byron

2.0 out of 5 stars Lost the plot
I also started this book off with great enthusiasm, the initial chapters being historically interesting, as well as setting the basis for what appeared to be an exciting story... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Bookworm

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece
I thought this book was wonderful. Agree with other reviewers there is a lot of detail but Faulkes' description of the insignificance of human life is beautifully described... Read more

Published 11 months ago by Readalot

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and authentic account of developing psychiatry
Faulks' research into the background of this novel is thorough and he has produced a novel of magisterial scope and scale. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Jason Holdcroft

5.0 out of 5 stars Human Traces

Sebastian Faulks's epic work from 2005 spans more than 600 pages in the hardback edition. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Leyla Sanai

2.0 out of 5 stars Long-winded and patchy
I have been an admirer of the writing of Sebastian Faulks and am interested in the history of management of mental illness but this book stretched one's loyalty to the limits... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Dr. F. W. Wright

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	68% buy the item featured on this page: Human Traces 3.4 out of 5 stars (72) �5.56
	10% buy Engleby 4.1 out of 5 stars (124) �4.86
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	7% buy A Fool's Alphabet 3.8 out of 5 stars (12) �5.07

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