The Quick
Ratings6
Average rating3
15
Ratings6
Average rating3
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SLATE • Includes an exclusive conversation between Lev Grossman and Lauren Owen For fans of Anne Rice, The Historian, and The Night Circus, an astonishing debut, a novel of epic scope and suspense that conjures up all the magic and menace of Victorian London 1892: James Norbury, a shy would-be poet newly down from Oxford, finds lodging with a charming young aristocrat. Through this new friendship, he is introduced to the drawing-rooms of high society and finds love in an unexpected quarter. Then, suddenly, he vanishes without a trace. Alarmed, his sister, Charlotte, sets out from their crumbling country estate determined to find him. In the sinister, labyrinthine London that greets her, she uncovers a hidden, supernatural city populated by unforgettable characters: a female rope walker turned vigilante, a street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife.” But the answer to her brother’s disappearance ultimately lies within the doors of the exclusive, secretive Aegolius Club, whose predatory members include the most ambitious, and most bloodthirsty, men in England. In her first novel, Lauren Owen has created a fantastical world that is both beguiling and terrifying. The Quick will establish her as one of fiction’s most dazzling talents. Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more. “A suspenseful, gloriously atmospheric first novel, and a feast of gothic storytelling that is impossible to resist.”—Kate Atkinson “A cracking good read . . . Owen takes the gothic conventions of the vampire novel in a refreshing new direction.”—Deborah Harkness, author of A Discovery of Witches and The Book of Life “A good old-fashioned vampire novel . . . What fun.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editor’s Choice) “The Quick is that rare book that reviewers and readers live for: both plot- and character-driven, a stay-up-all-night reading romp. . . . This is elegant, witty, force-of-nature writing.”—The Dallas Morning News “The book’s energy, its wide reach and rich detail make it a confident example of the ‘unputdownable’ novel.”—The Economist “A seamless blend of Victorian London and rich imagination.”—Tana French, author of In the Woods “A thrilling tale . . . This book will give you chills even on a hot day.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune “Stylishly sinister . . . will have you sleeping with the lights on.”—O: The Oprah Magazine “A sly and glittering addition to the literature of the macabre.”—Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf Hall “A big, sly bucketful of the most tremendous fun . . . [Owen] weaves what’s here with what’s beyond as easily as J. K. Rowling does.”—Slate “[An author of] prodigious gifts . . . Owen captures Dickens’s London with glee and produces a number of characters Dickens would be happy to call his own.”—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Reviews with the most likes.
I was completely unspoiled by reviews, so I went into this book knowing next to nothing. The story starts out small; a boy, his sister, and the crumbling estate on which they live. Then we follow the boy, now a young man, to London as he struggles with his identity and his place in the world. And then, a totally different type of story takes over.
It was so well written, and the characters were well fleshed out, so I carried on. In the end, I was mostly satisfied, but still a little sad to lose the story in the first part.
Based on other reviews I've read, this seems to be a “love-it-or-hate-it” book. I happened to have loved it. The author, Lauren Owen, is a scholar of Victorian literature, and it shows in this, her debut novel. “The Quick” is a brilliant homage to the authors and literature of the era, as well as a lovely example of Gothic literature. The Dickens meets Austen meets Wilde meets Stoker meets Shelley meets Conan-Doyle style makes for a cracking good read for fans of the genre. The first quarter of the book reads like a classic Dickens or Austen story of familial angst and coming of age. Then a transition begins...and this is where, I suspect, the story took a turn that caused the “hate-it” crowd to jump ship. New characters, introduced via diary entries and letters...a common weapon in the writing arsenal of the time...may have thrown some off, but those who allow themselves to be steered along are rewarded with a second half that is a roller coaster ride of intrigue, suspense and mystery that culminates in an action-packed climax. The denouement returns, in tone, to that found at the beginning of the book, and ends, as was common in such literature, on a bit of a question mark. That might suggest to some a sequel is in order (who knows?) but, to fans of the genre, that question mark actually serves as more of an exclamation point.
I really enjoyed this book! I wasn't bothered by the “twist”, but I can see that if you were expecting one type of novel, and it suddenly became something else, it may be bothersome. Great debut novel!
Yep, I liked it, flaws and all. I got the paperback copy, which announces for all the world to see that there are vampires in this book; I was not surprised. And I love horror, gothic novels, vampires all. So I was pumped.
When I finally settled in to read this recently after having it for a third of a year, I read it fairly quickly. I discovered a new literary crush (albeit a short-lived one, because the character dies), which hasn't happened in a while. And the first part of the book filled me with tragedy. Victorian homosexual tragedy. I love James and Christopher.
Yes, yes, this book has flaws. Characters come into play abruptly and go out of play just as abruptly. Action is not Ms Owens forte. The middle part isn't quite as interesting as the beginning. BUT it is still immensely enjoyable, and I look forward to the sequel. And I want to give James a big hug. I also quite liked the epilogue, which ends on a downbeat note. Ending on a downbeat note is, to my mind, almost always a good thing. Almost.
So, yes, if you want a fun book that isn't schlock and will give you a few moments of vampiric emo-ness, give it a read. I was certainly glad that I did.
