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The Book of Speculation

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The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

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By Erika Swyler

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3 reviews

Simon Watson lives alone on the Long Island Sound. His parents are long dead, his mother having drowned in the water his house overlooks. On a day in late June, Simon receives a mysterious book from an antiquarian bookseller; it has been sent to him because it is inscribed with the name of Simon’s grandmother. The book tells the story of two doomed lovers who were part of a travelling circus more than two hundred years ago. He is fascinated, yet as he reads Simon becomes increasingly unnerved. Why do so many women in his family drown on 24th July? And could his beloved sister, who has suddenly turned up at home for the first time in years, risk the same terrible fate?

As 24th July draws ever closer, Simon must unlock the mysteries of the book, and decode his family history, before it’s too late.

Reviews

29 Apr 2016

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The Blackheath 11am reading group were given copies of 'the Book of speculation' to read
this is our collective review:

A fascinating story that relates the story of an unusual family filled with secrets - the present day story is inter-woven with the past history of the family. The sections of the novel set within the travelling circus was particularly interesting and it was clear that the author had researched the subject well. The book is very well written and crafted and we were impressed to discover that it was a first novel. We would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a page turner with a difference

29 Apr 2016

RD-David

Great plot, excellent using alternative timeline chapters to relate and expose the story. Well-drawn characters colourfully described, with very good dialogue. It was advantageous to have knowledge of tarot and its energy. Sometimes confusing about characters relationship, but overall a wonderful read and praise deserved for a first novel.

A really interesting book, full of quirky and eccentric people. I did find it a “page turner” book and I did engage with the dysfunctional characters. I found the plots easy to follow even though it did go backwards & forwards in time.

A really good read from start to finish. It kept me gripped filled with intrigue. Highly recommend it.

A curse, a carnival, tarot cards, libraries and an old book. All the right ingredients for a rollicking good read. Two time periods interlinked swimming through the book like the mermaid and the under current rip tide that carries people away. A brilliant story.

I enjoyed the book and the two story lines coming together although the claim that it has ‘captivated readers worldwide’ is a bit extreme. Not that good surely! Found the explanations about the cards and their reading tedious – part of the story line of course.

An unusual book, full of magic. I particularly enjoyed the chapters about the circus – the atmosphere of circus life was conjured up very cleverly. A well written book which made me want to read on to find out the ending.

Intriguing family saga which really kept my interest.

King Cross Readers Group

08 Apr 2016

Huw

The Book of Speculation is eloquently written and the story is magical. The illustrations enhance the its wonder, especially of the circus and unease with the Tarot card representations. The story flits back and forth between Simon and Amos’s worlds before becoming inextricably bound as one story.

The world of the circus is dark, belying the fantastical world it wishes to create. In contrast, the contemporary world at first seems mundane, (though the library is alive and the staff seem real), until the curse of the past weaves into the present. The book (and chapter headings) have a contemporary viewpoint, looking back. Yet the story of Evangeline and Amos is alive as much Simon and Alice.

Ericka’s poetic language is beguiling and is most appropriate for this ethereal and magical story. Phrases such as this, said of Doyle, remain with the reader: “”He wears guilt like another tattoo”.

In many ways, it is an unsettling novel but that is where its strength lies: the fate of the elephant; the Wild Boy; the multitude of crabs and the sound of Simon’s mother pulling him out to sea. The Tarot cards are central to the book but also the location. It is a mystery, full of mysterious characters.
The characters are like the cards, in that they all are unique and multi-layered; a character being electrically- charged encapsulates the strangeness of the story.

Erika Swyler’s beautiful sea descriptions fit perfectly in this unique book. The end is a renewal and the water imagery perfectly bookends a deep, yet fantastical and fascinating novel.

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