Bellman & Black

by Diane Setterfield

[kimbacaffeinate]

Bellman & Black was my first foray into the mind and writing of Diane Setterfield. I have heard countless recommendations and praise regarding her earlier work, The Thirteenth Tale and decided to take a chance. The writing is beautiful, dark and unsettling at times. Mini review: atmospheric, dark, clever, and unsettling.

The tale begins when we meet our protagonists as he revisits the summer he and his friends were eleven. It was a summer of magic, of boys being boys, of limited possibilities. It was also when, with his well crafted sling-shot, he took aim and made an impossible shot; killing a black rook. It is a deed that will haunt him and overshadow events throughout his life. Described as a ghost story, it is more than that, as our protagonist William Bellman struggles with the demons that dance in his self-conscious. This was an odd tale of one man’s life, reminiscent of Charles Dickens and perhaps written in an attempt to capture the dark beauty that is, Edgar Allen Poe.

William Bellman is an odd man, complex, driven, haunted and an unreliable narrator. The man was haunted, in particular by events and a mystery man named Black. Tragedy and loss, success and restlessness, haunt our protagonist. While I cannot say I ever warmed up to William, I certainly experienced his emotions. I couldn’t help but wonder if William was simply disturbed, or if he was truly plagued, making the tale compelling and unsettling. We meet his family, and other characters that help shape our opinions and reveal sides of William. The characters William interacts with aren’t fleshed out, including his daughter who herself was an odd creature. I was intrigued by her, and wish her presence was more in-depth. There are love interests, but even those are overshadowed by William’s thoughts and drive.

Bellman & Black was beautifully written, wholly character driven and deliciously strange. Fans of Hitchcock and Poe will enjoy its odd nuances. The tale takes us through William’s life from the darkest to the brightest moments. We get caught up in his emotions, drive, fears and perhaps paranoia. The plot itself moves at a meandering pace, with heightened moments as we travel towards meeting Black. Throughout the book, we are given information about the Rook all of which I found fascinating. As I read I had a sense of foreboding, and constantly wondered as to William’s state of mind. This book was never boring, but the pacing may disappoint some. I am a huge fan of Poe and Dickens and some of the author’s dark and atmospheric passages regarding death and loss captured their essence. This is not your typical ghost story, and I am even hesitant to mention that, since I feel it will mislead the reader. Refreshing and different Bellman & Black was a tale that I enjoyed but fear it will only appeal to a unique audience. I would be selective as to whom I would recommend it.

Bellman & Black was a dark tale that will unsettle and fascinate the reader. It is not one you will read at a maddening pace, or become euphoric after reading. Instead it will make you ponder, and the next time you see a Rook, you might stop and pause.


Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer