Another historical mystery epic from a master of the genre. After reading 4 of his books, I'm pretty sure that Goddard is more comfortable writing of bygone times; like many authors who existed in the periods his tales spend a lot of time in (or all the time in this case), Goddard is light on characterisation but lavish on story and setting. That's not a criticism, although it won't be to everyone's liking.Goddard likes to flit between characters and time periods as his tales unfold, initially to confuse the reader, then to confuse the reader some more and finally to slowly explain what it all meant... well, in a fashion. In Painting the Darkness, he really lets loose; characters and time jumps come thick and fast and the reader has to concentrate to keep up. Eventually I got to know who was who (and when was when) and settled down to enjoy the story.The plot twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing as one theory after another is dashed. The tale concerns James Norton, who turns up in 1882 claiming to be an heir who supposedly killed himself 11 years earlier. As always with Goddard, the reader is given the impression that things aren't quite what they seem. Almost the entire cast goes through some sort of turmoil or other, often with disastrous consequences. As the book drew to a close, it seemed to me that Goddard had to a few options that might suit an ending, but (not for the first time!) discarded them all and settled on one that few readers would have guessed. I found it to be a somewhat disappointing conclusion to this sprawling epic.So, excellent story telling, but not Goddard's best. A solid 3.5 stars if it were possible, I can't bring myself to give it 4 stars, so 3 it is.
Despite all the clever twists and turns, all the tight plotting, all the desire to find out what came next, this book left me with a hollow feeling at the end. Why? In a word: characterization. Or rather, lack thereof. Robert Goddard is to plot what the Swiss are (or were) to watches: a master. But his characters are completely lacking in human dimension, idiosyncrasy, contradiction, life. They are there to serve the story, nothing more. You have the upstanding Victorian heroine, the elusive hero (although these books are rarely have true heroes) the mousy lawyer, the seductive villainess, the libertine French nobleman. Goddard has been repeatedly touted as the new du Maurier, but even du Maurier's weakest efforts had the pulse of real humanity. You cared about the characters. I didn't care about any of these.However, three stars for tight plotting and competent writing, plus good research into the Victorian era.
What do You think about Painting The Darkness (1990)?
The "Return of Martin Guerre" with insufferable Victorian English twits instead of grubby French medieval peasants.The audiobook is a treat for fans of Foyle's War as it is narrated by the actor who plays Foyle. Otherwise this was not so great. None of the characters is likable. And the plot just requires too much suspension of disbelief.
—Andy
Goddard creates what is, for me, the perfect take-me-away fiction, combining sufficient character development, extremely complicated/interesting plot, and a historical background that's usually pretty informative. I've been on a spree with his novels lately. This one is about a guy who supposedly committed suicide in the 1870's who shows up 11 years later and is trying to prove that he is who he says he is. Definitely lots of twists and turns. If I had to compare Goddard to someone, I'd say Ruth Rendell, but with a less dark view of human nature.
—Amy
Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned....... And there is the key to this whole tale.William Trenchard is a successful man and happily married to Constance and with a lovely daughter. Constance was to be married to another but he abandoned her (at the alter as it were) and disappeared, declared dead after 7 years missing. So, was the stranger at the Trenchard gate the disappeared James Davenall? Constance thought so and this sent her into an emotional turmoil. The Davenall family were unequivocal in denying that he was and so a celebrated court case began to decide the true identity of the stranger. A lot was to be had - the Baronetcy was to pass from Gervase to James Davenall but in the event passed to Hugo. One could loose all he had, the other could rise from obscurity to unimagined wealth.In the process we learn the sad, sorry, sordid and uncomfortable truth about the Davenall Family and see the slow mental destruction of William and see how easily others are taken in. Or are they?The final resolution of the case -long after the court has declared its view - leads to no satisfaction for anyone. No one wins but all loose. All that is except the woman scorned.I found this book so complex and difficult to read that I very nearly gave it up as a bad job. The Christmas holiday gave me the opportunity to spend more time at a sitting reading it and that saved the day. This books really needs your attention and reading spell of an hour or more at a time (not my usual 20 minutes)to get the most out of it - and you will be rewarded.This could be a 4 part TV mini series quite easily
—Jeremy
