The Pesthouse by Jim Crace

‘The Pesthouse finds the author not just on his own best form, but arguably the best form any English writer has shown in the last couple of years’ Spectator A devastated America exists in an imagined future. Its technologies are forgotten, its communities have splintered and its refugees, reversing the course of history, travel eastwards in search of safety and a new start. Among them are Franklin and Margaret, young, bereft, forced together by circumstance; but finding that love, courage and determination can endure even as a country breaks slowly apart. ‘Evoking the cracked terrain of a depleted America, Crace proves himself a fine stylist, sensitive to the cadence of every sentence’ Financial Times ‘Entirely compelling. The story is a gripping, harrowing adventure tale and Crace’s language is extraordinary . . . The Pesthouse resonates like an unresolved chord’ New Statesman ‘Gripping, exciting and oddly romantic’ Daily Mail

Having read quite a few post-apocalyptic stories I can say that there is nothing new here. A land ravaged by something devastating (we never really find out what), communities who mistrust strangers, disease, bandits, religious zeal and a promised land (but no cannibals). Sound familiar to anyone. The plot is like The Road and the scenery is borrowed from The Postman but the prose is all the author's own. That, for me, is what makes it stand out. Jim Crace knows how to turn a phrase. This is only the second book I have read by the author, the first was The Harvest where I found his way of writing more of a hindrance than a help - I decided after that, that I wouldn't rush to read any of his other books. I'm glad I did eventually pick this one up. I would recommend it to those who like a trip through post-apocalyptic America but for whom The Road was too bleak.

For the most part I don't like giving bad reviews. Sure there are books that deserve it, books that are all the craze and might've been written by a middle schooler (Fifty Shades..., I'm looking at you). But then there are books that are “written well” but lack any semblance of plot, character development, conflict, setting, joy, pain, life. I hate to group this sort of book with those I previously mentioned, but the truth is, this “well written book” is as difficult to read as the one that should be packing material.

The Pesthouse lacks everything a novel needs with the exception of well-orchestrated sentences. The story, what little bit of it there is, is told in the most clinical fashion; it was more like reading a psychologist's report of the incidents than reading a novel. The characters were drab and unbelievable—they wouldn't survive a day in this post-apocalyptic world. The dialogue was painful—why has the “end of the world” reverted the speech of people to Pioneer-speak? In short, I recognize that Jim Crace can write a sentence, but that doesn't keep The Pesthouse from being extremely boring.

The best thing about this book is the cover of the hardback edition. I love this cover. Love it. It's simple, but so elegant. The texture of the cover is unique, a very dull, old-fashioned paper with raised glossy print. The typeface is clear, demanding but not overpowering. The black and white imagery stands out in its simplicity. It is a wonderful book to hold and to gaze at; unfortunately, I wish I would've left it on my shelf unread, because despite its beauty, I now know of the great dissatisfaction that resides between its handsome covers.

Beautiful Cover + Intriguing Synopsis ≠ Guaranteed Enjoyable Read