Review: Powerful and Unforgettable
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2014
Facing a 700+ novel is a daunting task, but it takes some weight, and a whole lot of words, to re-make a classic. The Oedipal elements are what drew me to Akley in the first place, as I have always enjoyed a good re-telling of Greek tragedy, as well as modern Shakespearean updates. It fascinates me to see how authors will take a concept, rife with symbolism and expectation from centuries of opinions, and somehow make it accessible, relevant, necessary, and enjoyable. Lazarus certainly had the tragic elements down, and I wouldn't recommend this book if you've been having a rough year. This is far from a soul-stirring romance novel that will leave you feeling optimistic about the world. Through three centuries worth of murder, madness, lust, lies, suicides, confusion, and despair, we watch the Chartres/Hamilton/Roman family stumble and survive through some truly improbable and depressing moments.The grand scale of the book is a bit breathtaking, and the idea that an author sat down and outlines this is even more shocking. At times, it reads as though the words were blood running from Akley's open wound; it is seamless and immediate. Other times, the jarring sentence fragments, disjointed ideas, and leaps from one concept to another are closer to tossing a rock down a hill and watching it bounce every few feet; the trajectory is clear, but it isn't going smoothly. Suffice to say, these writing style variations made for interesting, if challenging reading, but that's what reading is all about, right?Don't pick up the book if you are used to reading trash or pulp. However, if you want to have a literary experience that you'll remember, then Lazarus should sit near the top of your list.