Welcome to Shelf Control!
This wonderful book meme is hosted by Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies! It features books that are sitting right on our shelves or e-readers, that we want to read, but have just not gotten to as yet.
Here's my pick for this week!
Toward The Gleam
Hardcover, 481 pages
Ignatius Press
March 1, 2011
Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery
From the Goodreads Synopsis
Between the two
world wars, on a hike in the English countryside, Professor John Hill
takes refuge from a violent storm in a cave. There he nearly loses his
life, but he also makes an astonishing discovery — an ancient manuscript
housed in a cunningly crafted metal box. Though a philologist by
profession, Hill cannot identify the language used in the manuscript and
the time period in which it is was made, but he knows enough to make an
educated guess — that the book and its case are the fruits of a
long-lost, but advanced civilization.
The translation of the
manuscript and the search for its origins become a life-long quest for
Hill. As he uncovers an epic that both enchants and inspires him, he
tracks down scholars from Oxford to Paris who can give him clues. Along
the way, he meets several intriguing characters, including a man keenly
interested in obtaining artifacts from a long-lost civilization that he
believes was the creation of a superior race, and will help him fulfill
his ambition to rule other men. Concluding that Hill must have found
something that may help him in this quest, but knowing not what it is
and where it is hidden, he has Hill, his friends at Oxford, and his
family shadowed and threatened until finally he and Hill face off in a
final, climactic confrontation.
A story that features a giant
pirate and slaver, a human chameleon on a perilous metaphysical journey,
a mysterious hermit, and creatures both deadly and beautiful, this is a
novel that explores the consequences of the predominant ideas of the
20th Century.
How I Got It
I purchased this book Amazon U.S.
When I Got It
I placed the order on August 25, 2013.
Why I Want To Read It
This novel reminds me somewhat of the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, who is one of my literary idols! The cover is not only GORGEOUS, but also has a very "Tolkienish" feel to it. The main character is a philologist, just like Tolkien was, and, also like Tolkien, he was fascinated by ancient languages. Of course, I find the plot totally fascinating, as well, with its mix of fantasy, intrigue, and philosophy. I hope to be able to read this book before this year ends!
What do you think of this book?
Have you read it, and if so,
did you like it?
Please leave a comment and
let me know!
6 comments:
This sounds so good. I love the plot details from the synopsis. It sounds like there are indeed elements of Tolkien included in the plot. It also sounds like there are many other elements also. It also sounds like there are some interesting ideas that are explored.
I agree that the cover is fantastic and I think that it would make a good choice for Shelf Candy Saturday.
I am looking forward to reading your thoughts when you have completed this book.
Good morning, Maria. This does sound good! I can definitely detect a Tolkien influence here. It will be interesting to find out if it holds to be true as you read it too.
Hey, Brian!
I really should have read this book by now, since I've owned it for nearly THREE years! Lol. It's been sitting patiently on my shelves....
The plot sounds VERY dynamic, as well as intellectually fascinating! That's because Doran explores various 20th-century philosophies in this novel.
You mention that this is a fantastic cover, and that I should feature it on "Shelf Candy Saturday", at my other blog, A NIGHT'S DREAM OF BOOKS. Actually, I already have! It was back in 2013, and, as it turns out, it was EXACTLY three years ago today! How about that?
Here's the link to that post:
http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/shelf-candy-saturday-81-toward-gleam-by.html
As a matter of fact, I first discovered this book when I saw the cover somewhere. I don't remember exactly where, though. And now I've featured it on "Shelf Control"! I guess my subconscious mind must have been prodding me about finally reading this book. Lol.
Thanks for the great comment!! :)
Hi, Wendy!
Yes, this book has a very definite Tolkien influence. It's not only evident in the plot, but also right on the cover. I really should have read it by now, seeing as how Tolkien is one of my favorite authors of all time! Lol. I will try to take care of that as soon as I can!
Thanks for the visit and the comment!! :)
I've never heard of this, but it sound fascinating -- and that is an amazing cover!
Hi, Lisa!
Yes, this does look like a fascinating novel! And I LOVE the cover, too!! I featured it in a "Shelf Candy Saturday" post, on my other blog, A NIGHT'S DREAM OF BOOKS.
I think you would love this book! Thanks for commenting back!! :)
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