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Review
"... an impressive novel which poses moral and philosophical questions but works equally well as a compelling thriller." - Joe Farrell in TLS "Massie is one of the best Scottish writers of his generation. Surviving - sympathetic, unsentimental, atmospheric - is an overdue reminder of how good he is." - Alan Taylor in The Herald "The dark brilliance of Massie's style ... Surviving may be an instant classic in the alcoholic literary canon." - Patrick Skene Catling in The Spectator "... an excellent little novel." - Ben Jeffery in The Guardian "This is Scotland's Stendhal at his best: clipped but sympathetic to this fragile characters in their haunted world." - Christopher Harvie in The Sunday Herald
Product Description
Like The Death of Men, one of Allan Massie's best novels, Surviving is set in contemporary Rome. The main characters, Belinda (the heroine of second novel, The Last Peacock), Kate (an author who specialises in studies of the criminal mind), and Tom Durward (a scriptwriter), attend an English-speaking group of Alcoholics Anonymous. All have pasts to cause some embarrassment or shame. Tom sees no future for himself and still gets nervous 'come Martini time'. Belinda embarks on a love-affair that cannot last. Kate ventures onto more dangerous ground by inviting her latest case-study, a young Londoner acquitted of a racist murder, to stay with her. There is another murder, but this is not a murder mystery. What matters is the responses of the characters to the catastrophe. The atmosphere of Rome is lovingly evoked. The dialogue, in which the characters reveal themselves or seek to avoid doing so, is sharp and edgy. Allan Massie dissects this group of ex-pats in order to say something about our inability to know, still less to understand, the actions of our fellow human beings, even when relationships are so intense. It is also, therefore, impossible or at least difficult to make informed moral judgements of others. This is an intelligent book that examines human nature with a deft and light touch.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Surviving is a morality disguised as a murder mystery. It deals with issues that tend to characterize Allan Massie's works: existential moral dillemmas, the individual's responsibility and search for support in a larger community. Elegantly written with a penchant for irony this novel of fugitive life in modern Rome reveals the author's mastery of multifaceted experiences.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
An intriguing novel, based on recovering alcoholics living in the city of Rome. The characters are flawed and know it, but living in a world, where their old booze based lifestyles are the subject of reflection at Alcoholic Anonymous meetings.
All are free from those chaotic, addictive days.
Or are they?
The attraction of corrupting power, the excitement of dangerous people and the spontaneity of compulsive reacting, remain, desirable dynamics with these clean living people. They are not Saints because they are sober, and they convince themselves of that, moreso, when violence and murder comes their way.
An excellent book. Skillful writing, the recovering alcoholic characters speaking in the jargon of the Alcoholics Anonymous world that they inhabit without any sign of paradigmatic proselytizing. Which maybe the alter-ego expression of the author, or maybe that is just the skill I observe. But a story , of obsessions, hidden demons, wishful thinking and the lack of control we have over it all. First Class.
All are free from those chaotic, addictive days.
Or are they?
The attraction of corrupting power, the excitement of dangerous people and the spontaneity of compulsive reacting, remain, desirable dynamics with these clean living people. They are not Saints because they are sober, and they convince themselves of that, moreso, when violence and murder comes their way.
An excellent book. Skillful writing, the recovering alcoholic characters speaking in the jargon of the Alcoholics Anonymous world that they inhabit without any sign of paradigmatic proselytizing. Which maybe the alter-ego expression of the author, or maybe that is just the skill I observe. But a story , of obsessions, hidden demons, wishful thinking and the lack of control we have over it all. First Class.
This tiny novel is set in Rome. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to read it. Plus it's written by Allan Massie, who I really like.
This is what I'd written about it when I started: `I am not enjoying it thus far. It's about expats in Rome who are alcoholics and know each other through the local AA. But I can't find any sympathy for any of the characters. Perhaps I should move on if it hasn't gripped me by pg 25.
That was on page 21. Needless to say it passed the pg 25 threshold and is now `finis'. It got better half way through and then kept getting more and more readable. The turn at the end is so subtle and clever it left me wondering not about any of the characters in the novel, but actually the author. Worth persevering, I thought. though it does take time to warm up.
This is what I'd written about it when I started: `I am not enjoying it thus far. It's about expats in Rome who are alcoholics and know each other through the local AA. But I can't find any sympathy for any of the characters. Perhaps I should move on if it hasn't gripped me by pg 25.
That was on page 21. Needless to say it passed the pg 25 threshold and is now `finis'. It got better half way through and then kept getting more and more readable. The turn at the end is so subtle and clever it left me wondering not about any of the characters in the novel, but actually the author. Worth persevering, I thought. though it does take time to warm up.
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