I’ve read and enjoyed several novels by Robert Harris. I liked The Ghost about a ghost writer and some shenanigans (you can read my review here). I’m a fan of Harris’s novels about Cicero–Imperium and CONSPIRATA– (you can read my reviews here and here).
But I was not pleased with Robert Harris’s new novel, The Second Sleep. A young English priest named Christopher Fairfax is send by his Bishop to the small village of Addicott St. George to perform burial ceremonies for the village priest, Father Lacy, who recently died. This simple mission becomes complicated as young Fairfax discovers the old priest had a collection of banned books hidden away. Burying a suspected heretic in the church cemetery becomes problematic in these medieval times. And, as Fairfax investigates the old priest’s death–termed an accident–suspicions form that foul play may have been involved. So far so good.
But The Second Sleep goes off the rails as Fairfax enters a relationship with the local Lady Dunston who is engaged to Captain Hancock. Captain Hancock’s obsession–like that of another Captain…Ahab–leads to destruction. There’s a mystery in The Second Sleep but it’s not enough to save the novel. Downbeat and depressing. GRADE: C
I didn’t find it depressing or even downbeat. Still, I didn’t like much more than you. I didn’t find it particularly original, especially if you have read a lot of SF. I also felt it sort of petered out rather than come to a satisfactory conclusion. A Canticle For Leibowitz this is not.
Steve, THE SECOND SLEEP is a low rent version of A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ. Far from satisfactory.
Pass. I liked THE GHOST too, also his earlier FATHERLAND, but this doesn’t appeal to me at all.
Fun aside: Harris is married to Nick Hornby’s sister.
Jeff, I didn’t know Harris is married to Nick Hornby’s sister. Harris writes historical novels and thrillers well. I have no idea why he veered into Science Fiction.
In a couple of Hornby’s collections of his book review columns he has references to “my brother in law’s book.”
Jeff, I’ve read Hornby’s book review collections, but that reference to Harris slipped by me.
Actually Fatherland is SF. Alternate history variety.
Steve, I have a copy of FATHERLAND around here somewhere. But, I’m in no rush to read it after THE SECOND SLEEP.
So you’re classifying this science fiction? Really? Not interested regardless. A grade of C from you is the death nell.
Rick, it takes place in the future.
Ah.
Rick, A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ won a Best Novel Hugo Award in 1961. THE SECOND SLEEP echoes this much greater SF novel.
I’ve read Cantacle, decades ago. I’ll certainly skip this one.