From the Teeth of Angels

Occasionally a novel speaks to fundamental issues that transcend insight and enjoyment. This one did it for me. I don't like Sci-Fi or fantasy, but Carroll's work tears the fabric of reality and goes to one's unexpressible fear and longing to address primal concerns, not unlike the effect fairy tales have on children. Yet he does it in a world where the natural laws as I understand them apply. Death is a character here and becomes frighteningly real but, miraculously, we're offered a way to triumph over him, if only for a time. And the way is as simple as child's play... literally.

While not as pleasant a read as Carroll's BONES OF THE MOON, FROM THE TEETH OF ANGELS is one of Carroll's best-written novels. A friend couldn't finish it because the protagonist is stricken with AIDS and has friends facing death as well. One of the more interesting devices is Death as a character, and the portrayal isn't the usual, somewhat flattering picture. Carroll shows death as petty, a liar and cheat. While not an easy book to read, it is immensely rewarding.

I'm on a quest to find all of Carroll's books -- he's the most amazing writer I know. I had never read this one and was lucky enough to find a copy. Like he does in all his books, he does a great job creating funky characters, wild plots and exotic settings (or at least Vienna and Venice). I like the premise of the book: that death can take the form of anyone you know and if he likes you, you die well, but if he doesn't, you suffer. As usual, Carroll makes you really think about your own life and consider deeper issues. There are some bone chilling scenes when one of the characters realizes that the love of her life is just death playing a role to lure her in. It creeped me out for hours. As I'd say with any Carroll book, find it and read it. This book was a bit rougher than some of his novels -- he tries to hold together 3 strands of plot that sometimes seem like they will fall apart, but ultimately, he does manage to tie them all together. A minor complaint though. It's not his very best, but it's still damn good.

This book addicted me to searching for Jonathan Carroll's books forever. After Silence and Sleeping in Flames cemented the addiction :) I had a hard time stopping reading, wanting to get to the end and understand the mystery. Definitely a gripping book. Hard to talk about it without giving too much away. Read the cover blurb. Read the book and enjoy the adventure for yourself.