The Bedlam Stacks
In 1859, ex-East India Company smuggler Merrick Tremayne is trapped at home in Cornwall after sustaining an injury that almost cost him his leg and something is wrong; a statue moves, his grandfather’s pines explode, and his brother accuses him of madness.
When the India Office recruits Merrick for an expedition to fetch quinine—essential for the treatment of malaria—from deep within Peru, he knows it’s a terrible idea. Nearly every able-bodied expeditionary who’s made the attempt has died, and he can barely walk. But Merrick is desperate to escape everything at home, so he sets off, against his better judgment, for a tiny mission colony on the edge of the Amazon where a salt line on the ground separates town from forest. Anyone who crosses is killed by something that watches from the trees, but somewhere beyond the salt are the quinine woods, and the way around is blocked.
Surrounded by local stories of lost time, cursed woods, and living rock, Merrick must separate truth from fairytale and find out what befell the last expeditions; why the villagers are forbidden to go into the forest; and what is happening to Raphael, the young priest who seems to have known Merrick’s grandfather, who visited Peru many decades before. The Bedlam Stacks is the story of a profound friendship that grows in a place that seems just this side of magical.
Brilliant. Fantastical. Moving. All three words sum up 'The Bedlam Stacks' by the international bestselling author of 'The Watchmaker of Filigree Street', Natasha Pulley.
This new book, which I am sure will also become an international bestseller, is an absolute tour de force. A beautiful book about a friendship that spans across the years and generations, which not only exposes the soul of the characters, but also leaves the reader feeling like magic could still exist in the unknown and unexplored corners of this world (and science/medicine).
The author spent three months at a language school in Lima, which was funded by the Society of Authors. Not only did this school open up conversations with native Quechua speakers, but opened up a slew of historical resources and allowed the author a special insight into the religion, customs and traditions of the Incan people. A solid research builds the foundation of this book, upon which Ms. Pulley built her story.
The characters in this book are very mysterious at times, and it isn't always clear to discern their motives. This lends the story a greater feeling of mystery and suspense. The characters are extremely three dimensional, and the dialogue seems so authentic, that I felt like I was looking in through a window.
From the beginning pages in England, where a statue seemed to move when nobody was watching, to the final words in the book, I was utterly hooked and absolutely engrossed in this story. The author weaved historical facts and places with the absolute magical in such a way, that every word seemed utterly credible. The pacing of the story was never too slow or too fast. It never felt like there was dialogue or situations that did not contribute to this masterpiece.
A character from the author's previous book 'The Watchmaker of Filigree Street', made a few appearances to my great pleasure. It seems this character was also pivotal in how events turn out in this new book.
Natasha Pulley, in 'The Bedlam Stacks' has shown what an amazing author she truly is. The Bedlam Stacks is a wonderful story of friendship, ancient religion meeting modern times, magic, and the struggles that occur within us. Only absolutely outstanding books receive 5 stars from me, and 'The Bedlam Stacks' counts among one of the best and original stories I have ever read. I am quite certain that this book will reach international bestselling status shortly after being released, as I believe the majority of readers will see what an absolute treasure this book is.
A copy of this digital book was made available to me by the author/publisher and Netgalley. I wish to thank the author at this time for allowing me to read her book ahead of publication, and to thank her for all the hours of entertainment her story has given me.
No comments:
Post a Comment