Nellie Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Has anyone read this? I picked it up randomly in a shop and liked the idea, but bizzarly was put off becuase the edges of the pages were black and it was coming off on my fingers like newspaper print. Now I am at home I don't think thats a good reason for not reading a book, and was wondering whether anyone would recommend it, seeing as I am trying to keep my new book purchases to a minimum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I haven't read it (so I can't help from that point of view) but I do really like the sound of it. I have the hardback version on my Amazon Wishlist, but was waiting for the paperback as I don't actually like hardback books! The End of Mr Y had similar pages to those you describe but they didn't cause any problems with the colour coming off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted January 20, 2009 Author Share Posted January 20, 2009 Those are the sorts of pages, perhaps I just picked up a bad copy. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have it sitting on my shelf.. I had a voucher to spend, and so I chose the 2 new R&J that stood out to me, and that was one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosychair Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I'm half way through it, a very engrossing story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonders disciple Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I will be purchasing this tomorrow on special offer at Waterstones. I have some other books to pick up and if you spend over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Library Nook Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I bought this a week or two ago and for the record have had no problems so far with the pages. However I haven't read it yet but it will probably be my next read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmlanebooks Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I haven't had any problem with the colour coming off the edges. I really enjoyed The Gargoyle. Some sections were amazing! I got a real insight into the life of a burns victim. I did think that some of the historical sections were overly long, but overall it was brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I picked this up in Watertone's because (like "The End of Mr. Y") it is a really handsome edition of a book with a really good premise. Problem is, I had to give up on "Mr. Y" about a hundred pages in as I found that the occasional crude scenes and language jarred with the otherwise profound topic - before I waste my money on another book I won't finish: am I likely to have the same problem with "The Gargoyle"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 My copy has the pages with black edges and so far, no problems I am really enjoying 'The Gargoyle', its a different kind of book, its the best way I can explain it at this point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmlanebooks Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I picked this up in Watertone's because (like "The End of Mr. Y") it is a really handsome edition of a book with a really good premise. Problem is, I had to give up on "Mr. Y" about a hundred pages in as I found that the occasional crude scenes and language jarred with the otherwise profound topic - before I waste my money on another book I won't finish: am I likely to have the same problem with "The Gargoyle"? The Gargoyle contains many distressing scenes, about life as a burns victim. So if you are upset by descriptions of burns then you should definitely avoid this book. I can't remember any crude scenes, but I'm not sure I can remember any in Mr Y either - sorry I can't be of more help! Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) The Gargoyle contains many distressing scenes, about life as a burns victim. So if you are upset by descriptions of burns then you should definitely avoid this book. I can't remember any crude scenes, but I'm not sure I can remember any in Mr Y either I'm not easily upset in general terms; I am a big horror fan for example and have no problem whatsoever reading about blood, guts, torture, eternal damnation - so burns shouldn't be a problem. What makes me uncomfortable, and has more than once made me abandon a book (such as "Mr. Y" or "Love Without Resistance" by Giles Rozier) is sex scenes that are violent/full of swear-words, particularly if they seem to be put there to shock/grab readers and have nothing much to do with the overall plot and style of the novel. Any of that in "The Gargoyle"? Edited March 20, 2009 by BookJumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmlanebooks Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I don't remember any sex scenes in the Gargoyle, but I could be wrong. There may have been the odd swear word, but I don't remember them being particularly frequent. Sorry I can't be of more help - it has been a while since I read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuggleMagic Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I had to drag this thread back up as I have just finished reading The Gargoyle and I loved it! A young man is fighting for his life. Into his room walks a bewitching woman who believes she can save him. Their journey will have you believing in the impossible. You should never judge a book by its cover but look how pretty this book is. The edges of each page are stained black (there is a reason for that) which I found quite cool. I always choose a book from a massive list of recommendations from forums etc and I must admit when choosing this one I went on looks alone. I already knew that I would like it. The narrator (who remains nameless) is involved in a car crash, causing him to roll down a hill and then sit trapped in his car as his skin 'starts to boil.' He wakes up in hospital burnt from head to toe. He is completely hopeless until he meets Marianne Engel and she helps him back to health in her own unique way. It is a very touching and engaging book. A perfect mix of love and fantasy. Parts were slightly disturbing as the narrative is unrelenting but I came to care for the characters. I found myself reading it at every possible opportunity and since this is a debut novel, I really look forward to reading more from this author. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Ooh that's good .. it's sitting on my tbr pile and it needs a good review to enable it to escape to 'currently reading' I'm looking forward to it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuggleMagic Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Ooh that's good .. it's sitting on my tbr pile and it needs a good review to enable it to escape to 'currently reading' I'm looking forward to it now Oh I am glad it is moving up the pile. It really is super Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zanturok Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 This is one of my favourite books. I just couldnt put it down. I hope Andrew Davidson writes another one soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosychair Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 This is one of my favourite books. I just couldnt put it down. I hope Andrew Davidson writes another one soon. I loved The Gargoyle too, for me it was the best book I read in 2009. It took Davidson 7 years to write so it may be a long wait till his next, however long it takes I eagerly await his next effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I read this recently , it's a fantastic book & definitely one of my favourite reads this year. It's an unusual book so hard to categorise , the main character is flawed but likable, I'd agree with others that the descriptions of his injuries are not for the faint hearted but for me the best part of the book was the story within the main story when it went back into the past, I kept wanting to get back to that part of the story to find out what happened to them. Compulsive reading & one that I'd recommend to anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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