The Madman's Tale by John Katzenbach Buy book: $15.72
From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Just Cause" and "The Analyst" comes a menacing depiction of long-dormant evil--a tale set in and around an asylum and told by a madman.
I've never read this author, although I recognize the name. It's starts off really well. I'm already thinking this will be good. The long paragraph about all the drugs swimming through his veins is sort of upsetting isn't it? Sad, really...
Move over, Hannibal Lecter, there's a new madman in town. This excerpt left me on the edge of my seat. This is going to be a real thriller being told through the mind of a madman. Can't wait for the rest of the week's reads.
My lucky day! A copy of this selection was available at my library branch on Saturday, so I grabbed it. What a compelling work. I'm sure I will have finished it by week's end, if not late tonight! Lots to discuss here, I look forward to everyone's comments.
And what a wild ride we seem to be on - just read an excerpt on amazon and am anxious to get the book - but unlike you, Ann, I will have to wait a while- it's out right now - but several other books by him available -
As I was reading, part of me was wanting to run along as fast as I could - another part said "do you really want to read this?" - decided I do - if it gets too eerie or graphic - can always put it down but the narrator does not seem dangerous only pathetic - and is that not too often the case? -
Add institution, and the mad go madder. This book shows great promise. The author demonstrates such empathy for the physical state and emotions of the madman that the character will probably be very well developed and realistic. The plot outline set forth firmly grips one's interest.
Another great excerpt today! The analogy of the salmon as psychotic fish was excellent. We do a lot of salmon fishing here in Northern Michigan, and I'm always fascinated by the salmons' incessant instinct to get up those rivers just to die. I can't wait to read more!
That passage about the salmon has bothered me, since there is a factual error contained in it. I, too, caught a lot of salmon while living in Alaska. One of the primary differences between Atlantic and Pacific salmon is that the Atlantic varieties return to the sea after spawning. It's the Pacific varieties that die immediately after their arduous trip upstream to spawn. Since the author has mentioned Connecticut in this work, I'm assuming he's talking about Atlantic salmon. Not a big deal, certainly doesn't affect the rest of the book, which continues to be riveting. I'll be eager to seek out more works by this author.
I am pleasantly surprised to find a good read after some time! I'm glad I came back to the club.
This book got my full attention from page one and Tuesday's reading was just as good or better. I already requested a copy from my local branch library. Thank you Susan for introducing me to John Katzenbach. :)
I read this book last year and enjoyed it. I remember being very moved by the first part, and feeling that I was getting a clear picture of psychosis and what a sad and difficult state to be in. It made me think of the lonely lives many people live around us.
Not only is this a good story, told from a different point of view, but think so far, the writing is really good. I think that this should be noted since there a so many poorly written books out there. Hope that it holds....
This makes me remember other books we've had on the club - one I remember the name and it was "My Father's Ghost" (non-fiction also) - dealing with mental illness - that I really enjoyed but think we were divided in our opinion of that one -
The other I cannot remember the name or the author but I was really intrigued with that one - written by a son who after his father was dead - and having left the family many years earlier - started a search to find what happened to him and he found that the father suffered from manic-depression (unknown to the family at the time - they just thought he was an alcholic) - brought home the fact that we've come a long way in our knowledge of mental illness but sad for the ones who suffered before the knowledge -
That was a most heart wrenching book - if anyone out there remembers the name please post it - and both of these books were also very well written -
Such a strange and compelling read with the long sentences of words making me feel like a kite being pulled weightlessly along by this "madman" - and me enjoying so much the "ride" - because of the beauty of the writing - makes me feel euphoric -
Ah - - - - -
Why is it that in literature fools and supposed "madmen" speak the truth so lucidly. I am re-reading King Lear, and the fool is the wisest man in the play...and remember Flowers for Algernon? How about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? Kudos to fools and madmen (women)! They keep us honest. Am loving this book, and asked my library to seek it out for me.
Working amoung the mentally ill these excerpts made me read what I hear them say..amazing detail ...I have often believed that too much psycotherapy will bread a smarter patient....sometimes I watch them and think...they are saner than us.
Ah, there is one of the underlying themes of this work: who's "mad", and who gets to determine their mental state. The mixture of patients in this hospital is something of a mystery to me. If you continue with the book, you will find the elderly senile, the profoundly retarded, and the every-day murderer trying to beat the rap with an insanity defense. Be careful what you wish for:
"...every step he took brought him a bit closer to some fearsome precipice, where he teetered unsteadily, maintaining his balance only with the most tenuous grip on icy rocks, held in place by thin ropes that were fraying quickly."
After reading the first bit of this book I was hooked, I ordered it right away. I do all my reading on my PDA and buy ebooks, so I got my copy as soon as I order it, Sunday night. I can't wait to read it, I am currently finishing a book for another club right now and will dive into it after I have finished it. That's for the good books to add to my wish list.
