Voices of Our Shadow

Jonathan Carroll is an author I read for his excellent writing technique, his just-slightly-askew-from-nature supernatural twists, and his cosmopolitan viewpoint. All this he delivers with admirable regularity; he's become a brand name and practically a genre unto himself to a lot of folks. However, I have come to expect him to lose focus towards the end of his books: he values precision in writing and plot up until the end, where he enjoys leaving lots of things unsaid and lots of threads hanging. This is ideal for book-club discussions, but not so much for me: I know Carroll considers it a feature, but it's something I have to forgive him for rather than something I buy his books for. This book is less like that than most of his work. The story -- about a young author who finds himself betraying those closest to him and who reaps supernatural consequences -- contains liberal helpings of Carroll's delightfully eccentric characters and unusual details, written with Carroll's usual precision. And it has Carroll's trademark highly imaginative magical touches -- you'd be amazed how scared Carroll can make you with a pair of white gloves, a hat, and some wind-up birds. But it also has a tidy -- and highly disquieting -- conclusion; perhaps the best Carroll has ever created. That, and the comparatively little space the fantastic elements take up in the book, make this a likely good entry point for readers new to Carroll's work. And, for those who are new to Carroll's work, I suggest finding an entry point. Carroll is a one-of-a-kind fantasist and one of the best authors working today; he should have cross-genre appeal for anyone who admires excellent writing and original thinking. Check him out.

Short but intense novel on hardships of growing up, even later in life as an adult. Carroll's first book is one powerful account of an anti-hero, who is bullied and ignored in his childhood as a weak, unimportant character, left to envy others and hate himself. As suspected, his past catches up eventually, even in Vienna, thousands of miles away from home. The story drives its power from the honesty of its narrator, ringing so true that one thinks it is possibly relying on some real-life experience: a.k.a. first novel being biographical. Very interesting, original in its ideas on misperception and mistreatment of others and of oneself. I compare this one favorably against the critically appraised, award winning Carroll book "Land of Laughs".

Having read and enjoyed Outside The Dog Museum, I sat down with this book one Sunday evening knowing nothing about it except author and title - I didn't even read the back cover. And I did not leave my chair until I had finished. Seriously. Riveting, suspenseful, unexpected: few books have drawn me in to this extent.

This was the second book by Jonathan Carroll I was fortunate enough to read, after the spectacular Land of Laughs. I had expected to be disappointed, because how could he possible live up to the first book? Thankfully, I was wrong, Voice of Our Shadows is just as good as his first book. They both start out innocently and turn creepy by the end, and if you enjoy Carroll's work, this one is worth tracking down.

This book completes my quest (almost) to finish all of Carroll's books. It has taken me months to find out of print copies. The only one left for me is The Land of Laughs which is his first novel and so rare that copies sell for $200 and up! The author himself emailed me though and said that it will be reissued next year, so I guess I'll have to wait. Anyway, this is a much scarier book than most of his other books. The beginning is superb as we travel back to the narrator's childhood and his relationship with his sadistic brother Ross. Carroll as usual does an excellent job fleshing out the characters -- this is the first time I can think of when he focuses so much on kids and he does a great job. The narrator tells us how Ross was killed by the third rail of a train -- but then later admits that he pushed him because his brother was about to reveal an embarrassing secret. So, he feels guilty about his brother's death. Then, like a true horror novel, Ross comes back to haunt him in later relationships the author has with women in Vienna where he moves. This theme of death coming back to bother the living is continued in a more recent novel, From the Teeth of Angels which is also excellent. If you can acquire a copy of this book, definitely read it. I liked Bones of the Moon better because I'm scared too easily, but this does give the reader insight into Carroll's darker side.