Review of the Day: Gormenghast

Gormenghast is the second volume in Mervyn Peake’s trilogy about Titus Groan, the 77th Earl of Gormenghast. In Titus Groan, the first volume (reviewed here), Peake created the fantastic, elaborate, ritual-bound world within the labyrinthine castle of Gormenghast. This volume picks up when Titus is a restless schoolboy of seven.

Many characters return in this volume: Steerpike is still the villain – now plotting an elaborate take over as the Master of Ritual. The Countess mother is still the batty, bird-loving recluse she was, although she rises to a period of fierce capability when saving the castle’s citizens from an incredible flood. Titus’s sister Fuchsia is still sad. Flay is still in exile, although protecting the castle in secret. The twin aunts are still crazy and are driven even crazier. And Dr. Prunesquallor and his nitwit sister still tie the social fabric of Gormenghast together.

The major addition is the introduction of the professors, a large crowd of eccentric academicians with funny, Peakesian names like Flannelcat, Shred, Shrivell, Mulefire and Perch-Prism, who dominate Titus’s childhood. Major scenes involving these worthy tutors are highlights of the book, although they do not move the central plot forward. One involves a terrifying game played by the schoolboys while their schoolmaster sleeps at his desk. The other is the fabulous party the Prunesquallors throw to find a husband for Irma.

The book is less about plot – although there is a central story around Steerpike’s attempted coup and Titus’s coming of age – as it is about the richness of Peake’s detailing. Reading Gormenghast is like being lost in an elaborate Medieval tapestry.

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Review of the Day: Titus Groan

Titus Groan is the 77th Earl of Gormenghast, born in the opening pages of this first novel in Mervin Peake’s famous Gormenghast Trilogy. Although considered a “fantasy” classic, the novel should not be cubbyhole by its genre. There are no wizards, warlocks, orcs, or walking trees. The inhabitants of Gormenghast Castle come in the recognizable forms of humans, cats, birds, and other common creatures.

The story is fantastic in that it is free of geographical or historical constraints. It seems to be set in a Britain “of yore,” but is so self-contained that it does not matter. The point is the elaborate world contained within the sprawling walls of Gormenghast Castle.

The plot centers on the canny, 17-year-old Steerpike, who aims to control Gormenghast. In this first volume, we watch Steerpike wriggle his way up the ladder of power from a post as kitchen scullion, to the servant of the awkwardly endearing Dr. Prunesquallor, into an elaborate plot that gives him command over the nitwit twin sisters of the aged 76th Earl, to the exalted position of heir-apparent to the Master of Ritual at the castle. Who knows what heights he will reach in the remaining volumes.

Peake fills every page of Steerpike’s journey with intricate details of the ceremonies, manners, foibles, and relationships that govern the Groan family and their court. Darkly humorous and lusciously written, Titus Groan is a novel to get lost in.

NOTES

This book is listed on at least one of the lists I am working on, but I am too scatterbrained by trial prep to remember which one right now. I will figure it out and add the information later.

This counts as one of my books for the Typically British Challenge.

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(If you would like your review listed here, please leave a comment with a link and I will add it.)