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Overview
A critical success on both sides of the Atlantic, this darkly imaginative novel from Scottish author James Robertson takes a tantalizing trip into the spiritual by way of a haunting paranormal mystery. When Reverend Gideon Mack, a good minister despite his atheism, tumbles into a deep ravine called the Black Jaws, he is presumed dead. Three days later, however, he emerges bruised but alive-and insistent that his rescuer was Satan himself. Against the background of an incredulous world, Mack's disturbing odyssey and the tortuous life that led to it create a mesmerizing meditation on faith, mortality, and the power of the unknown.
Synopsis
A critical success on both sides of the Atlantic, this darkly imaginative novel from Scottish author James Robertson takes a tantalizing trip into the spiritual by way of a haunting paranormal mystery. When Reverend Gideon Mack, a good minister despite his atheism, tumbles into a deep ravine called the Black Jaws, he is presumed dead. Three days later, however, he emerges bruised but alive-and insistent that his rescuer was Satan himself. Against the background of an incredulous world, Mack's disturbing odyssey and the tortuous life that led to it create a mesmerizing meditation on faith, mortality, and the power of the unknown.
San Francisco Chronicle
Uncommonly thought-provoking and serious-minded . . . Gideon Mack's story raises disquieting questions most modern fiction prefers to ignore.
Editorials
Ron Charles
There's devilry for sure in a story this disquieting. You won't find Robertson blessing the devout or the atheists. But before Gideon departs this world, his testament will affirm your faith in the power of fiction.— The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Provocative . . . [Gideon's] testament will affirm your faith in the power of fiction.Los Angeles Times
Haunting, memorable, and completely compelling.San Francisco Chronicle
Uncommonly thought-provoking and serious-minded . . . Gideon Mack's story raises disquieting questions most modern fiction prefers to ignore.Publishers Weekly
Robertson offers in his absorbing American debut (two novels have been published in the U.K.) the cleverly framed autobiography of a Scottish minister who confronts the devil. A brief foreword claims the book is an autobiography penned by Gideon Mack, a Church of Scotland minister who, after allegedly encountering the devil, becomes a pariah and madman before disappearing. Raised by a harsh minister father, Gideon abandons faith at an early age, but later discovers it's possible to "be a Christian without involving Christ very much" and secures the pulpit at a small coastal church where he proves to be a gifted preacher. After his wife dies in a traffic accident, Gideon consummates a long-held obsession with old friend Elsie, whose husband, John, is also a longtime friend. A conflicted Gideon, while walking with another minister, falls into a gorge and is presumed dead. But he appears downstream, only slightly injured, three days later. His survival is miraculous, but his account of what happened is scandalous: he was saved by the devil. Gideon's struggle to find meaning in his experience leads to his undoing. Gideon's sly unreliability is cloaked by Robertson's mastery of language and command of the elements of fiction; the combination is addictive and captivating. (Apr.)
Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Library Journal
Like most of his fictional predecessors in the pastorate, Gideon Mack struggles mightily to reconcile faith and doubt. Although well liked in his little Scottish village, Gideon, himself the son of a minister, gravitates increasingly toward atheism. One day, while walking in the woods, he falls into what seems a bottomless chasm and is given up for dead. He returns three days later remembering little of this incident except his conversations with the Devil. As his fellow villagers mock him, he disappears. This "testament" of his life, discovered by a book scout searching for other treasures, provides a memoir of Mack's growing up in a repressive household, the love of his mother, his failed marriage, and his wife's sudden death in an auto accident. It also records his discovery of a mysterious black stone in the woods that animates his own questions about the nature of the supernatural. Although Robertson's religious symbolism is too precious by far (three days in the wilderness, a talk with the Devil), his superbly fashioned characters give us a reason to care enough about Gideon to make his story interesting. Robertson's attention to detail creates a cannily gloomy atmosphere of the Scottish woods. Recommended for most libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ12/06.]
—Henry L. Carrigan Jr.