How goes it, Bookworms?
Remember our very first Fellowship of the Worms selection The Thirteenth Tale? Believe it or not, that was Diane Setterfield’s debut novel. When I saw that her long awaited followup was available on NetGalley, I could not help myself. I positively jumped at the chance to get my hands on Bellman & Black.
Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. You like honesty, right?
Bellman & Black begins with four ten-year-old boys frolicking in the woods. One of the boys in the group fashions a slingshot and uses it to knock a bird out of its tree. The rook is killed. Though Will Bellman is haunted by his act of childhood cruelty, he carries on with his life. Will proves a quick study at his uncle’s textile mill and is soon groomed to take over the operation. As he grows up and begins his adult life, he begins to lose family members and acquaintances. This isn’t much of a surprise, I mean, it’s the Victorian era, so medical care isn’t exactly stellar. A virulent strain of scarlet fever can (and does) wipe out a good chunk of a town. A mysterious cloaked figure keeps appearing at the funerals Bellman attends. One day, in the grips of extreme despair, Bellman imagines he has struck a deal with the cloaked man and embarks on a new venture.
His new venture? A funeral emporium. Now I GET that people who have suffered great losses often fall into depressive states or fixate on death… But starting a massive funeral emporium? It’s a little macabre. Of course, the Victorians were a little macabre… They did their grieving up in a big way- years of wearing black crepe, hired mourners, fancy pants coffins, all the dark and dreary trimmings. I found it to be a weird move, personally, but I am terrible at handling funerals. Seriously. I see one grieving family member and I’m a puddle of goo, even if it was someone I barely knew. I can’t imagine wanting to marinate in funeral-ness, but William was going through a lot. Plus, the world does need funeral supplies, so I’m willing to overlook the odd choice in industry.
What I can’t overlook is that this book was kind of… Boring. There was a lot of discussion of rooks and their influence on the human psyche
Try knocking THIS out of a tree with a slingshot… Actually don’t. It’s probably way easier than hitting a bird. (Image Source)
and mourning and grief… But you know what rooks are to me? The castle pieces in chess. That’s what we called them. Rooks. Apparently, they are ALSO big ugly black birds like ravens and crows. I’ve never been a big fan of birds that can actually fly. You can blame Hitchcock for that one. I think Setterfield was going for a Poe vibe, but it just fell completely flat for me. I’m really bummed about this. Setterfield’s debut, The Thirteenth Tale was SO incredible. Any offering she came out with was bound to suffer in comparison, I just never thought it would fail to hold my interest.
Of course, this is all a matter of opinion, and I am nothing if not aware of the fact that my taste in literature tends away from the poetic. I’m pretty literal when it comes to interpretations as well… I think for the right audience, this book might be wonderful. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy novels with dark overtones and elements that are open to interpretation. Fans of ghost stories and gothic Victorian settings may just revel in the linguistically lovely descriptive passages. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
What about you, bookworms? Have you ever been disappointed in a favorite debut author’s sophomore work?
Isi
Ohh what a shame (if we take into account that I also got this book from Netgalley!).
I was sure it would be gripping, but I’ve read several reviews telling more or less the same as you 🙁
The good part is that I haven’t read the author’s previous novel, so I have no expectations.
Words for Worms
Going in without expectations will give you an advantage. It’s hard for me to tell how much of my disappointment was comparison and how much was just less than stellar book…
Charleen
Yup. This was a totally disappointing book, made more so because of how amazing The Thirteenth Tale was. And yes, you could argue that nothing she could have written would have measured up to it (or made the seven year wait worth it) but it’s not just that. Really the only difference is, if it were written by any other author, I would have DNF’d it.
Words for Worms
You’re right. I probably would have DNF’d too if it had been by someone I’d never read.
Ashley F
I’m always so sad when an author with a good debut has a crap follow-up.
Words for Worms
🙁 Me too.
Rhian
I absolutely adored The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, but Her Fearful Symmetry was … unusual.
Words for Worms
Oye. Her Fearful Symmetry. I am right there with you, sister. The Time Traveler’s Wife was so, so lovely. I listened to Her Fearful Symmetry on a long road trip and now the entire state of Missouri makes me think of soul swapping ghosts.
Kelly from Readlately.com
I really appreciate that you don’t just post overwhelmingly positive reviews here. That honesty and balance is what makes me trust a blogger. Don’t feel so badly!
Words for Worms
Thanks, Kelly. I don’t love writing negative reviews, but I won’t pretend to like something I didn’t enjoy. I’m sure this book will find an audience, the audience just isn’t me :).
Megan M.
Noooo! I have been checking for YEARS to find out if she had another book coming out! Not only did I not know about it, it isn’t great. Dang! The sophomore slump strikes again. I still want to read it, but I’ll adjust my expectations accordingly.
Words for Worms
If your expectations aren’t sky high, it might not be bad at all.
Don Royster
Don’t give up on the writer. Many times the second book turns out to be a dud. Then they go on to write more wonderful novels.
Words for Worms
Oh, I won’t give up on her! I fully intend to read the next novel she comes out with. I’m pretty loyal, if one book affects me THAT much, I’ll likely stick around a while in the hopes that the initial magic returns.
Don Royster
Good for you.
Don Royster
Good for you.
Nadia
This book was just bad. It lacked the ghost story that it had promised and just felt more like a history of, then an actually story. Was quite a disappointment.
Words for Worms
I couldn’t tell if Black was meant to be the ghost. I mean, it was obvious enough that he was meant to be the manifestation of the bird in some way, but was he even there? Will was losing it pretty badly there for a while. I agree with you though. It felt like endless exposition with no actual plot. I’m perplexed and saddened.
Wayne
Graham Masterton’s first novel *The Manitou* was released in 1976 and it is a fantastic read. However, I was quite disappointed in the sequel *The Revenge Of The Manitou*. The movie of The Manitou incidentally sucks big time even though it has Tony Curtis and Susan Strasberg in it.
Words for Worms
I am unfamiliar with that work, though I’m sorry you got a crummy sequel!
Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister
I just started the Thirteenth Tale…I hope I enjoy it. I think I’ll pass up the follow-up.
Words for Worms
The Thirteenth Tale is really excellent. I loved it so much I will likely read whatever Setterfield comes out with next on the hopes it gets back to some of that Thirteenth Tale magic.
Turn the Page Reviews
Totally got the Poe feeling too! It might have worked better as a short story-and definitely without all the bird stuff-I hate birds.
Words for Worms
Yeah dude. Hummingbirds and penguins are pretty much the only cool birds. Everything else just poops on windshields and plots the demise of humankind.
Jenny @ Reading the End (formerly Jenny's Books)
It sounds very Poe-y! I’m one who enjoyed but did not love her first book, so maybe I will find her second book similarly enjoyable. But it’s really depressing when an author you loved lets you down — Donna Tartt is the one that springs to mind, since I just finished reading her third book. I loved her first novel and have been bored out of finishing her second novel approximately twelve times. IT IS SO BORING. WHY DID SHE DO THIS TO ME.
Words for Worms
I think people who dig language as much or more than plot might like this one a lot… But I’m such a story gal!
Jennine G.
This is totally off topic, but reading this I realized I may be able to use your post to teach my 7th graders “voice” in writing. I can see it plainly here! Hope you don’t mind!
Words for Worms
Whaaaat?! I’m to be studied? And not in a scientific “what is wrong with your brain chemistry” sort of way? I’m humbled beyond measure. Anything you need, my dear, you are most welcome to!
Bonnie (@missbonnie13)
Hmmm.. I’ve been dying to make time to pick up The Thirteenth Tale but it hasn’t managed to happen yet. I also picked this one up from Netgalley so I’m wondering if it would actually be a benefit to have not read her first and glorious debut? Either way I’ll likely get to this one first. 🙂 Sorry you didn’t enjoy it as much as you hoped..Great review though!
Words for Worms
I think you’ll be at an advantage reading this without expectations.
RebeccaScaglione - Love at First Book
I haven’t read any DS yet, and I know I need to, but I think this one isn’t one I will pick up since a few of my fav bloggers are underwhelmed by it (you included)
Words for Worms
Go for The Thirteenth Tale!
Dana
I was crazy excited to read Thirteenth Tale and I was left underwhelmed. I think I over-hyped it in my own mind. Maybe I’ll enjoy the second book if I go in without the huge expectations.
Lady Fancifull
I think the publisher made a big mistake in marketing as a ghost story, presumably because Thirteenth Tale was gothic. That marketing had everyone WAITING for things to get (even just a WEE bit) spooky Big shame. I feel rather sorry for Setterfield, she’s rather being given the thumbs down by all of us because her first book was so wonderful. I agree with you that if you hadn’t read TT, you might (just might) enjoy this more
Words for Worms
I’m not sure who thought to market it as a ghost story, but I agree that is where it went wrong. It felt like false advertising.
Melinda
And so I am one of those who didn’t enjoy this. I went into this one with expectations, even though I wasn’t aware of it. I told myself don’t try to compare it to The Thirteenth Tale, but subconsiously I expected something great, like a really nice ghostic ghost story. This was more mystery, no suspense. I hope she comes up with something better for her 3rd novel!
Words for Worms
Yeah, I’ll give the third novel a shot, but if she continues on this weird bird kick I might have to break up with her…
Melinda
hahaha!